Mar Elias College Kottappady, the Department of Social Work conducted a one-day seminar on social entrepreneurship in association with IQAC, IIC and the ED club. The seminar was conducted on 29 January 2024 at the seminar hall from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. It was an interactive class with three sessions. The seminar was inaugurated and led by the chief guest, the resource person Mr. Sibin Antony M. Varghese, the managing partner of Synergy, a casework organization. The principal of Mar Elias College, Mr. Dr. Bruce Mathew handed over the presidential address. The head of the Department of Social Work, Asst. Prof. Ms Soumya Mathew gave felicitations for the programme after the welcoming speech of the programme coordinator and Assistant. Prof. Ms Mary George.
The programme was organized to develop the skills of social work students and to make them a social entrepreneur. A social entrepreneur “is a person who pursues novel applications that have the potential to solve community-based problems” and “social entrepreneurship is a new, innovative business venture that influences change”. Social entrepreneurship is a business venture which starts as a new venture with innovative ideas to solve community-based problems and those who are interested in starting business-oriented problem-solving institutions with great potential. In India especially Kerala, the social casework practice is important in today’s scenario but it is absent. In this technologically advanced era, it is necessary to have physical and mental support for individuals and communities to cope with their busy schedules and maintain positive mental health. So through this programme, the resource person gives an insight into the scope of social casework in the minds of the participants.
Mr. Sibin Antony, the resource person not only aware of social entrepreneurship and its scope but also prepares them to attain the skills that a social worker community organizer or social entrepreneur needs. Moreover, he imparts knowledge on the generation, the generation gap, its causes, and its effects on human behaviour and attitude, which were also influenced by evolution, as well as the behavioural and ability differences between the sexes. In addition to this, he understood how they should and should not be as a social worker. The research person excellently used the valuable time, in which he used various activities and games such as debates, and group games like Sibin says.., etc.
It was enjoyable and knowledgeable to the trainee. Since the resource person handled the trainee in a great manner they won't get bored and won't feel too quiet till the programme ends. After all the mission ends with a gratified recognition to the resource person for the delightful class and to the principal and the management for their support and coordination to conduct such a forum for the future of persuasive social workers.
The formal gratitude was expressed by Asst. Prof. Ms. Deepti Dasan Machery. Moreover, the participants provided their valuable feedback and expressed their feelings using thanksgiving to the resource person and the college and the department faculties. Finally, the seminar reached its end with a beautiful photography session.
