Activities
Dr.MGR JANAKI COLLEGE’S SUCCESS WITH MIT SQUARE LONDON
Dr.Latha Rajendran (Secretary) and Dr Kumar Rajendran (Chairperson) of Dr. MGR Janaki College partnered with MIT Square London to establish the RAISE Centre of Excellence, where the focus is on Research, Applications, Innovation, Science & Technology, and Entrepreneurship, which aims to promote international collaboration for women. Dr.Ragitha Radhakrishnan, HOD Psychology of MJC, has closely worked with the MIT Square team to organise events successfully. Dr.Mithileysh Sathiyanarayanan, Founder & CEO at MIT Square London, said, “We are extremely excited to establish the RAISE Centre of Excellence at Dr MGR Janaki College to render complete support to women's development, enablement, and empowerment”.
As part of the CoE, numerous initiatives have been rolled out. Several talks and webinars were organised to benefit women students. E10 Career Clinic was organised to mentor and guide students one-to-one. Recently, MIT Square organised Indo-Global Summer Internship 2022 for MJC Psychology students, where Kamala M and Olive Sabina received an opportunity from Centro Universitario UNIFACVEST, Brazil; Pavithra K and Lacsana R from University Putra Malaysia; Kiruthika and Nandhini V from Veritas University, Nigeria. As part of the CSR activities, events such as the Women Power India Awards, Women Short Film Festival, and Fem Products Mela were organised in 2022 to empower women. Also, CSR activities such as recycling batteries were organised to spread the important practice that can help protect the environment, conserve valuable resources, and save energy and costs. As per the sources, there will be many exciting events and programs in the year 2023 to enable and empower women.
MJC CAMPUS RADIO
MJC Campus Radio, powered by MIT Square, was launched for women students to exhibit their talents; several episodes have been featured on Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
The 24X7 internet radio of the students of Dr.MGR Janaki college of Arts and Science for Women, reaches educational and career development information in English and Tamil, Targeting the students of higher educational institutions in the state. The radio-christened MJC Campus Radio – available on Younify,a mobile platform for campus radios, downloadable from Google Play Store and Apple Store. The programs, created by students of the college from different disciplines, include interviews with Chief Executives of Companies, Academicians and Educational Lectures- besides, content on healthcare, current affairs and college events. Programs demonstrating the creativity of students are also streamed live.
FEM PRODUCTS MELA 2022: MIT SQUARE CREATES NEW
VALUE FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
FEM Products Mela this year took place on 17th December 2022 at Dr.MGR Janaki College for Women under the aegis of MIT Square Group, Raj Square Charity Foundation and Hatti Movies. The students, professors and guests were encouraged to come along and browse the range of stalls promoting various products.
Following the footprints of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, MIT Square Group promotes made in India products by organizing various events to further facilitate investment, foster innovation, manufacturing, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property and start-ups and women entrepreneurs.
WOMEN POWER INDIA AWARD 2023
WE RAISE, a forum for Women Enablement in Research, Innovation, Arts, Science & Entrepreneurship, promoted by Raj Square Charity Foundation, and Dr MGR Janaki College of Arts & Science for Women, a reputed women’s college in Chennai, gave away Women Power India Awards 2022, instituted to empower, enable and encourage the participation of women in diverse fields, to 26 women achievers in various fields including education and entrepreneurship
Dr Latha Rajendran, the Secretary of the College, Bhuvaneshwari Loganathan, the President of Raj Square Charity Foundation, Balasubramanian R, Founder, Mangaladeepam, Aishwarya Ramesh, Chartered Account, My Career Point, Ravishankar, Founder, Jeyikkalam Foundation, and Harigaran, Founder, School4Change were among the dignitaries who participated in the function.
WOMEN POWER INDIA AWARD 2023
On March 20,2023 WE RAISE (Women Enablement in Research, Innovation, Arts, Science & Entrepreneurship) powered by Raj Square Charity Foundation, organised “Women Power India Awards 2023” on International Women’s Day(8th March) in association with Dr.MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women and MSME CCII India. The event was sponsored by MIT Square, Ravin Group, Rallison, and Glam-U; well supported by Jobs TV India, Hello FM Chennai, Flixaro, and Fashion Drift.
Over 100 women gathered at Dr MGR Janaki’s auditorium to attend the annual event that celebrated inspirational people in their respective fields. Over 50 women talents pan India were recognized for their achievements in various fields, from science and technology to the arts and humanities.
Women’s awards like this provide a platform to recognize excellence in various fields, which encourages women to strive for excellence in their own careers. By highlighting the achievements of women, these awards demonstrate that women are capable of achieving greatness and can be powerful motivators for others.
VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES WITH SCHOOL4CHANGE AS
PART OF MIT SQUARE MOU
Since 2007, school4change has been a non-profit organization dedicated to the well-being of students, our future generation. This school4change began as a night school, and we have now adopted a government school, and our concepts and structures are being applied in many government schools around Tamil Nadu. We give them life skills and education to help them become whole human beings. We give the students the assistance they require to create a good future for themselves.
Mohanambal R, a student at Dr. MGR Janaki College, collaborated with the Raj Square charity foundation to partner with the NGO School4Change. Together with a few fellow students, Mohanambal volunteered at School4Change's night school program. The primary aim was to contribute to the education and development of underprivileged children.
As part of their volunteering efforts, Mohanambal and her team chose to teach the students about chess. Chess is not only a game of strategy but also fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and patience. By introducing the game to the students, they aimed to provide them with a recreational activity that also stimulates their cognitive abilities.
Additionally, Mohanambal and her team also volunteered to teach basic drawing techniques to the children. Drawing is a form of expression that allows individuals to communicate thoughts, feelings, and ideas visually. By teaching drawing skills, they encouraged creativity and provided the children with an outlet for self-expression. The involvement of the college Rotaract team further strengthened the volunteering efforts. Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service organization that empowers young people to take action in their communities. By partnering with the Rotaract team, Mohanambal and her peers were able to amplify their impact and reach a larger audience.
E10 CAREER CLINIC
On May 12, 2022, Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts & Science for Women joined hands with MIT Square to host an E10 career clinic, aimed at providing comprehensive career guidance and support to its students. The collaboration brought in Mr. Ravishankar, a seasoned Career Mentor & Coach, to the college campus. Mr. Ravishankar's expertise and experience in the field were instrumental in offering personalized career counselling sessions to 20 students.
During the E10 career clinic, Mr. Ravishankar engaged with the students on various aspects of career planning, including self-assessment, exploration of different career paths, understanding market trends, and skill development strategies. Through one-on-one sessions, he provided tailored advice to each student, considering their individual strengths, interests, and aspirations. Additionally, he shared valuable insights into emerging industries, job market dynamics, and the importance of continuous learning in today's rapidly evolving professional landscape. The event not only empowered the students with clarity and direction regarding their career goals but also instilled confidence in them to navigate their future endeavors with purpose and determination. Overall, the collaboration between Dr. MGR Janaki College and MIT Square, facilitated by Mr. Ravishankar, exemplifies a proactive approach towards equipping students with the necessary tools and guidance to excel in their chosen career paths.
STHREE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
STHREE short film festival was organised by HATTI movies in partnership with Big Print Pictures, MIT Square, and Raj Square Charity Foundation on 17th December 2022 in Chennai at MGR Arangam, Dr. MGR Janaki College for Women who were the venue partner. The event was sponsored by Joyalukkas, Nippon Paint, Stonesoup, and IICI. MIT Square, as the outreach partner, and Raj Square Charity Foundation, as the CSR partner, organised the stalls which were primarily given to women entrepreneurs to demonstrate their products and services. Spreco was the waste management partner and helped with the objective of the green event.
The festival was inaugurated by singer/voice artist Ms. Brindha Sivakumar and included a dance performance by the Natya students’ team of Dr. MGR Janaki College. There was also a panel discussion with the jury members and women technicians from the film industry. Subtitlist Rekhs moderated the discussion which included Director Ms. Priya V, Editor Ms. Rajalakshmi, Content creator Ms. Priya Parthasarathy, and Writer Ms. Kutti Revathi. A young Composer Ms. R. Sivatmikha also attended the event as a guest speaker, shared her experiences, and sang a few songs from her composition.
The festival witnessed a music concert by the all-girls band ‘IRA’ including Vocalist Ms. Lavita Lobo, Keyboardist Ms. Sterlin Nithya, Drummer Ms. Ragavi Bajaj, Guitarist Ms. Vedika Bhavsar and keyboardist Ms. Varshitha Prabu. The festival paid tribute to the women technicians of Indian cinema since 1926 in a video collage. Brammakandan by Ms. Ragavi Kannan & team from Tamilnadu won first place (Joyalukkas Ruby Award); Kochurani by Ms. Hena Chandran & team from Kerala won second place (Joyalukkas Emerald Award); Hejjegalu by Ms. Trupti Kulkarni & team from Karnataka won the third place (Joyalukkas Diamond Award).
GOOGLE MOM: EMPOWER YOR MOM
On May 8, 2022, a webinar titled "Google Mom: Empower Your Mom" was organized jointly by Dr. MGR Janaki College and MIT Square. The webinar aimed to motivate mothers to embrace technology and explore avenues such as starting their own businesses. Ms. Sangeetha Vasudevan, a renowned psychologist from Bangalore, served as the speaker for the event.
In the webinar "Google Mom: Empower Your Mom," Ms. Sangeetha Vasudevan highlighted the transformative potential of technology for mothers, advocating for their familiarity with digital tools to unlock opportunities in business, education, and global connectivity. Addressing common challenges, she emphasized time management, prioritization, and building support networks. Entrepreneurship was spotlighted as a pathway for mothers, with resources showcased to help them leverage their skills. A mindset shift towards self-belief and growth was underscored, alongside the importance of supportive environments.
Overall, the webinar provided actionable insights empowering mothers to pursue their aspirations, demonstrating the crucial role of initiatives like this in facilitating their personal and professional growth in today's dynamic landscape.The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing participants to further engage with the speaker and seek personalized guidance on their journey towards empowerment.
INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON TRAINING AND
DEVELOPMENT: COLLECTIVE DIMENSIONS
The Department of Psychology and the Post Graduate Department of Applied Psychology at Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts & Science for Women, in collaboration with MIT Square, organized an International Seminar titled "Training and Development: Collective Dimensions." This seminar was held in a hybrid mode.
The inauguration of the seminar was graced by Mr. Firthouse Hasan Ahamed Shibly, the Director of the Office of Strategic Planning at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. His presence marked the commencement of the event and set the tone for insightful discussions and exchanges.
Distinguished professionals and experts in the field of psychology and human resource development contributed as resource persons for the seminar. Dr. Vasuki Mathivanan, Founder of IAPS (Indian Association of Positive Psychology), shared her expertise on positive psychology approaches to training and development. Dr. U Vijayabanu, an Associate Professor at Jain University, Bangalore, shared insights into innovative training methodologies and practices in the corporate world.
Ms. Juhi Pandey, a Corporate Psychologist, addressed the practical applications of psychology in the context of organizational training and development. Dr. Geetha Muthusamy, a Senior Lecturer at University Teknologi Mara, Malaysia, provided cross-cultural perspectives on training and development strategies. Mr. Rumesh Shankar, a Leadership and Management Consultant based in Chennai, shared his expertise on leadership development and its connection to organizational training initiatives.
These esteemed individuals brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the seminar, enriching the discussions with diverse perspectives and practical insights. Approximately 180 students had the opportunity to benefit from the seminar. Through engaging presentations, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, participants gained valuable insights into the collective dimensions of training and development in various contexts.
INTERNSHIPS WITH MIT SQUARE
The partnership between Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts & Science for Women and MIT Square has yielded fruitful opportunities for students through international internships. Recently, six students had the privilege of undertaking their internships in three diverse countries: Brazil, Malaysia, and Nigeria. This international exposure not only broadened their academic horizons but also provided them with invaluable real-world experience in their respective fields.
During their internships, these students received excellent guidance and mentorship from the professors and professionals associated with the host universities in Brazil, Malaysia, and Nigeria. This mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping their understanding of global academic standards, industry practices, and cultural nuances. The professors from the host universities provided the students with in-depth insights into their fields of study, exposing them to advanced concepts, cutting-edge research, and innovative methodologies. Immersed in diverse cultural environments, the students gained a deeper appreciation for global perspectives and cultural diversity. The internships provided the students with valuable networking opportunities, allowing them to establish connections with professionals and experts in their fields. These connections may prove beneficial for their future academic pursuits or career endeavours.
FORTUNE POWER SOLUTIONS – RECYCLE
BATTERIES
On August 25, 2022, Dr.MGR-Janaki College, in partnership with MIT Square, organized a battery recycling day, urging students to bring old batteries from home. Approximately 50 students participated, contributing drained batteries to be responsibly managed by a specialized vendor. This initiative aimed to divert hazardous waste from landfills and prevent environmental pollution by recycling batteries' toxic components like lead and mercury. Savitha DKV, a college student, delivered an awareness talk highlighting the importance of battery recycling, emphasizing its role in conserving resources and reducing pollution, inspiring her peers to embrace sustainable practices.
The event exemplified a commitment to environmental stewardship, promoting practical waste management solutions and fostering a culture of sustainability among students. By collecting and recycling old batteries and raising awareness through educational initiatives, Dr. MGR-Janaki College and MIT Square demonstrated the power of collective action in creating a greener, more environmentally conscious community.
