Sakshi Rather, a student of Masters in Food Technology who is on an exchange Programme in Italy, says it is a great learning experience in Italy and her entire perspective towards life and career has changed since she set foot in Italy.
Sakshi Rather, M.Tech, student Italy.
Hailing from Ambala in Haryana, Sakshi said that she has got more clear about what she wants to do in life. And that is to be a Food Scientist so that she can develop new and nutritious food techniques.
She is studying at the University of Naples Federico and she is pursuing a food design course that falls under Food Innovation and Product Design (FIPDES).
She said there was a huge difference between the culture and language of Italy and India. She said there are so many different languages there, like in India, and the eating habits of the people of Italy are quite different as they eat more protein food and every food is made in olive oil.
People over there are more healthy due to their eating habits and physical activity, she added. Sakshi is a vegetarian but said food was never an issue in Italy as all kinds of vegetarian foods are available in that country.
She is an Erasmus student and her Erasmus coordinator is Mrs Paola Lanzzoti and her mentor is Mrs Paola Vitaglione. Her class has students from different countries like Molly (Scotland), Mahtab (Pakistan), Tushaar (India), George (Mexico), Maria (Equador), Hugo (Brazil), Mara (Italy), Jumana (Palestine), Mohammad (Palestine) and Julie (France).
Stating that she has fallen in love with Italy, she said she would recommend all visitors to see places like Pompei, Casperta, Amalfi coast and Sicily. Referring to the system of education in Italy, she said in Italy the focus is on practical knowledge rather than theoretical syllabus.
B Pharma Programme of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University has been accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) for three years, according to official communication received here today.
The School is one among five institutions in the Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand and Punjab region and the only University of Himachal Pradesh with NBA accredited B Pharma Programme.
The NBA accreditation will enable the graduates’ degree to get worldwide recognition and will enhance the graduate attributes required by the industries, according to Dr Deepak Kapoor, Dean,
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University.
The advantages of the accreditation are that the institution becomes eligible to secure necessary funds from various funding agencies for research and motivates faculty to participate actively in academic and related Institutional/departmental activities.
On the other hand, students can avail specific projects grants from AICTE (All India Council of Technical and Education) and they can also avail the benefit of the GPAT scholarship in the School. NBA accreditation was given to the institute after an on-site evaluation of the department by the team of experts from the NBA, Dr Kapoor added.
The School of Pharmaceutical has been ranked among the top 40 institutions in India for four consecutive years. Criteria of NBA accreditation was based on the fulfilment of nine different parameters: Vision, Mission and Programme, Educational Objectives, Programme Curriculum and Teaching-Learning Processes, Course Outcomes and Programmes Outcomes, Student’s performance, Faculty information and contributions, Facilities and technical support, Continuous improvement, Student support system, Governance, Institutional Support and Financial Resources.
Vice-Chancellor Prof P K Khosla congratulated the department in getting the coveted accreditation and asked the faculty and students to take full benefit of the accreditation.
Author and well-known educationist, Prof Manju Jaidka, who
has recently joined the Department of English in Shoolini University, was
interviewed by the Shoolini Newsletter reporter. Here are excerpts from the
interview:
What’s your educational background and where all have you taught?
I have been to schools in Ambala and Secunderabad, completed
my graduation from Government College for Girls at Chandigarh, and obtained
Masters and PhD degrees from department of English, Panjab University,
Chandigarh. I have been a Postdoc Fulbright fellow at Harvard and Yale, a
Rockefeller fellow at Bellagio in Italy and the University of Iowa in the US,
and on visiting assignments in several other countries like Canada, UK,
Austria, Germany, China, Taiwan, Nepal, Bangladesh, etc.
Prof Manju Jaidka
What is your
designation and what are your responsibilities in the university?
I have recently joined as Professor of English and at the
moment I’m simply teaching, but as I get settled I hope to be more and more
involved in the university activities.
Tell us about your
experience and what all major organisations are you associated with?
I taught in Panjab University for 44 years, first in an
affiliated college and then in the Department of English at PU, but I haven’t
really been stagnating there. As I mentioned, I have had opportunities to
travel a lot. I believe in having roots and wings – you are rooted in one
particular place but you go to other places and come back. I have travelled
regularly across the country and abroad. I subscribe to the ideology of
“One World, One Dream” and visualize a fraternity of like-minded
intellectuals in a borderless world of ideas. This is what my career has been
focused on.
I need to mention here that I since 1998 I have been running
an academic association (called MELOW, www.melow.in ) with global linkages and
we hold international conferences every year. At any given time our membership
crosses 700. We have an international network and remain connected.
There’s another international organization that I’m part of
and I have served as their Executive Director. This is the International
American Studies Association
(https://www.facebook.com/InternationalAmericanStudiesAssociation/
https://www.institutofranklin.net/en/events/ix-international-american-studies-association-world-congress-iasa/),
the membership of which spans 40 countries. It meets every two years in
different continents.
What are your hobbies
and interest areas?
I enjoy what I’m doing. Plus I love reading, writing. I’m a
creative writer, too, and one of my novels, Scandal Point, has just gone into
its third reprint and I brought out my second collection of poems last month.
So I look for time and space to write undisturbed.
In the summer season I go swimming regularly. When I need to
de-stress I do some old-fashioned doing tailoring; or I go for a walk,
listening to music, do a spot of meditation, spend time with friends or with my
grand-children, and generally relax.
Why do you think
English is so important for career building?
English is very important if you want to get a head start in
the world and if you don’t want to be the proverbial frog in the well. In
India, where each region has a different language, English provides a vital
link. It is still the lingua franca whether we like it or not.When we go abroad
we need a language with which we can communicate to the people outside. So, if
you want to go places you have to learn English.
How can one improve
learning and communication in English?
Practice makes one perfect. You just have to read a lot; you
have to practice the language, and you have to practice writing. There are no
short cuts but at the same time it is not difficult to attain mastery over the
language once you resolve to do so.
Why did you choose to
work in Shoolini?
Shoolini has a good reputation among private universities.
It is considered to be the best in the region. I like the work culture here and
the fact that everyone is very enthusiastic and very much hands-on into work.
It is like one big, well-knit family. It has everything to satisfy professional
appetite. Geographically, the campus is nestled in the midst of nature and not
far from Chandigarh, where I belong.
What is your advice
for Shoolinians?
I would advise the young students here to make the best of
their time in this little haven. Work hard, learn whatever is possible, and
then go out into the world to make a name for yourself and to bring laurels to
your alma mater. In your journey through life, the skills you garner here will
come to your aid, so value your time in Shoolini and use it optimally.
And, yes, remember to hone your communication skills, in
particular in the English language. English is essential if you wish to go
places. So, work hard, do well, and the world will be at your feet. The
universe will conspire to help you fulfill your dreams.
World Cancer Day was observed in Shoolini University on February 4 and various activities were organised by the university staff and students to mark the occasion.
These included a lecture to raise awareness of cancer and to
encourage its prevention, holding of a detection and treatment camp and a
session on road safety and basic life support which was taken by well-known
policeman-poet-singer ASI Balvinder Singh of Chandigarh Police.
A team of YouWeCan, an organisation established by Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, organised a Health Camp under the leadership of Mrs. Poonam Nanda, Dean Student Welfare. Around 80-100 females turned up for the checkup for Breast Cancer. There were four female doctors from YouWeCan Dr Poonam Chandel, Dr Jamuna, Dr Pratichi and Dr Dikcha De who give their valuable suggestions to the patients.
The University also
arranged a lecture for students and staff with doctors and surgeons from Indus
International Hospital, Chandigarh, and Mohali. Dr Kamal Preet Grewal who is an
MBBS, Oswal Cancer Hospital Ludhiana, delivered lecture about the signs and
symptoms to watch out in breast cancer.
Detection camp was organised in the campus on World Cancer Day
Dr Aakash Sarangwal, a plastic surgeon at SMS Hospital
Jaipur, talked about reconstruction spectrum of Plastic Surgery and about how
he has treated patients who have real medical problems like cancer, infections,
facial fractures, functional deficits and helping people who have every certain
right to look like a normal person.
In an another
activity organised by the university to observe World Cancer Day a road safety
awareness session in collaboration with Chandigarh Police, in which constable
Rajiv Sharma spike on the importance of obeying and respecting traffic rules
and various ways to prevent road accidents and mishaps. This traffic safety campaign was followed by
the Basic life support session. This was about how we can save someone’s life
during emergency by following the steps and by using AMBU Artificial Manual
Breathing Unit.
This session was followed by the Chandigarh Police ASI
Balvinder Singh who sings Punjabi numbers to sensitise youngsters about the
road safety.
Mrs Poonam Nanda said the events on the World Cancer Day
were part of a week long programme to raise awareness of cancer and to
encourage its prevention, detection and treatment, and most importantly, to
commemorate all the cancer survivors.
There were a total of seven segments of programme which
included Shoolini walk to cover some streets of Solan city, fund raising for
victims, organising medical campaign, football matches, a talk session, visit
to IGMC Shimla with the volunteers of YouWeCan and a cricket match.
A massive cleanliness drive, called?Cleanathon, was launched at the Shoolini University campus and adjoining areas as part of the National Cleanliness day observed in India to commemorate the death anniversary of the father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
This time around Shoolini University, which is one of the cleanest campuses of India organised its first?cleanathon?to encourage students to keep their surroundings?clean?and green.
Hundreds of students of the University took a step towards a cleaner and a greener environment by cleaning the campus and the villages nearby so as to promote a healthy and hygienic lifestyle.
The students were divided in groups and were asked to?clean?a certain areas under the observation of their respective faculties.
This?cleanathon?was also a part of their Social Projects under which multiple social activities are organised and executed.
Dean Students Welfare Mrs Poonam Nanda said the campaign was a big success thanks your guidance and involvement? and willing participation of the students to the guidance of the Vice Chancellor Prof P K Khosla and willing participation of the students.?
“ Considering it was a maiden effort we pulled it off very well”, she said and said a special thanks was due to the operations team, especially Suresh, Manohar and Praveen who provided full support for the campaign.
Yatin Kumar, a student of B.Tech in Food Technology at
Shoolini University, was among the few youth delegates selected from around the
world and invited to attend the prestigious UN Youth Assembly event that took
place in New York, USA in August 2017. He has now been chosen as a campus ambassador
of the Youth Assembly.
Yatin has many feathers on his cap. To start with, he was selected for the Sakura Science Programme, which secured him a fully-funded scholarship to attend Osaka University. He then got a scholarship from a university in Taiwan.
The experience of attending the Youth Assembly for Yatin was
a life changing event. “Words fail to express the huge impact that the Youth
Assembly had on me. It was best experience of my life and I could never get
over the feeling when I got the opportunity to walk into the UN General
Assembly Hall. It was a truly unique experience for me”, he said.
As a campus ambassador, Yatin now guides students in
Shoolini University to participate in the Youth Assembly by organizing
seminars. The Assembly invites youth from around the world to discuss
sustainable development agenda of 2030. Yatin was among the hundreds of youth
participants representing different nations.
The university fully funded its elite student to attend the
Youth Assembly that takes place once every year. Launched in 2004, the Youth
Assembly at the United Nations(YA)is a unique platform for fostering dialogue
and generating partnerships between exceptional youth, civil society, the
private sector, and the United Nations. For more than a decade, the Youth
Assembly has grown to become the largest and longest running youth conference
that takes place at the heart of global change – the United Nations.
A corrosive trend that is increasingly growing among people is body shaming. It is quite common among people be it our relatives, friends or most importantly the strangers who are not even known to us.
Celebrities on body shaming
Shockingly enough, some people do think or believe that making a person feel ashamed about his or her body is a potent way of motivating one to transform one’s body and of course work harder to achieve this ‘miracle’. Even celebrities get trolled for their bodies. One example is of American Singer Kelly Clarkson who was targeted by the British TV personality Katie Hopkins, who tweeted, “Jesus! What happened to Kelly Clarkson? Did she eat all of her backing singers? Happily, I have widescreen”. Such comments lead to reduced self-esteem and increased insecurities among people specifically amongst today’s youth. There are people who just wish to curb your vibes, those who have all the time to judge others and no work to do, so they’ll just utter anything.
Many of us have been through this body shaming and may have stopped eating less than our regular diet just to grab the attention of others. When someone condemns our looks, we withdraw ourselves in shells and we hardly stand up against bullying. ‘They say and we listen, sometimes we feel angry, hurt and even numb’.
Film actor Sonakshi Sinha, in a video against body shaming, said that she has nothing to hide neither her curves nor her weight because she is not a number on the scale. She is there for a reason not to impress someone and that’s what makes her unique.
Why it happens?
Why does this happen? Why do we remain silent? Is it because we lack self-confidence? So here arises a very prominent question. What is a perfect body? Is it a handsome hunk with six-pack abs or a woman with an enviable zero size figure? A perfect body is a myth superimposed on us by society.
It is so surprising to find a 10 years old girl being worried about her figure? We need to understand that no one chooses a body they have and especially an unfit one by oneself. Now it’s time we stand up against all this bullying. Body shaming does not only mean making someone feel bad about their body but also means criticising your own appearance and comparing it with others. And of course, it arises from our own insecurities.
Media also influences our perceptions to look slimmer or fairer. Does it really mean that only whites can create fairy tales? Slapping our faces with a variety of creams we often fail to realise that chocolate brown can also create fairy tales.
If you are willing to do something, nothing can stop you from touching the stars. Body shaming is a deplorable practice that must be avoided at all costs. Let’s practice it by being our own lovers.
For the student MBA volunteers associated with the NGO, YouWeCan, it has been a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Some of those actively involved with its philanthropic activities say it has been a turning point in their lives.
YouWeCan, a non-profit organisation was set up in 2009 by Cricket icon Yuvraj Singh, who is a cancer survivor and who had made a remarkable return to the Indian national cricket team after fighting cancer. Shoolini University’s YouWeCan team works under the guidance of Ms Poonam Nanda. She is the Dean Students Welfare at Shoolini University and is herself a cancer survivor.
Members of the team recall some memorable moments. For instance, at a camp organised in Kasauli Cantonment, they faced serious linguistic barriers as those attending the camp were families of army personnel from Tamil Nadu. They had to take the help of sign language to ‘converse’. Rajnish Modgil, who belongs to Amritsar and is pursuing a degree in Bachelors in Technology with a specialisation in Computer Science, was prompted to join the organisation after his uncle, who was just 28, succumbed to cancer. “It took the family a long time to recover from the huge loss,” he said. This led him to try and help others, particularly with the early detection of the disease. “My family is fully supporting my efforts”, he added. Rajnish said that his association with the NGO has brought numerous changes in his lifestyle and he has gained tremendous confidence.
Another volunteer with the organisation, Aastha Sahni, who
is pursuing MBA in finance and marketing, lost her father to cancer. Aastha,
who belongs to Solan, says she can feel the pain of those suffering from cancer
and of their family members.
“Working for YouWeCan provides me inner peace. I feel great
to be a part of such a great social effort and I feel great to be blessed by
those whom we are able to help”, she said and added that it has helped her to
evolve as a better human being.
Nitesh, Coordinator of YouWeCan who is pursuing his MBA
degree, said that he was motivated by Poonam Nanda Ma’am who not only fought
cancer but had been helping others, particularly the poor who are fighting the
disease. I love it when people bless us. I remember visiting one such patient,
Kamla aunty who said “Mere khud ke bache aa gaye”. And when we help someone they bless us by
saying “Hamesha Zindagi me Kamyab raho.”
Nitesh, who hails from Bilaspur but whose family has settled in Solan, said the future plans of the Shoolini unit of YouWeCan include working towards a “cancer-free Himachal Pradesh”. Priyanka Thakur, who has completed BTech and is now a student of MBA, says it has been a great learning experience. She was the coordinator of the camp organised at Zirakpur in Punjab which received a huge response. “It is an amazing feeling when you give someone hopes of living life again”.
To be able to serve society, and that too from such an early age, is a privilege and honour for Ravi Verma, a student of MBA in Marketing. Ravi, who is from Giripul, a village in district Sirmaur, has also earlier worked for an NGO named ‘Younglinks’. Asked if his involvement with YouWeCan has impacted his life, he said yes it had brought in many changes in his life. Besides, “I have emerged as a public speaker and my presentation skills have considerably improved”, he added.
Shoolini University’s founder vice-chancellor?Prof. P K Khosla?was today honored by Panjab University as its outstanding alumni. He was feted for his outstanding contributions in the field of forestry and higher education. The honour was conferred on him during the Global gala Alumni meet in the University campus. Accepting the honour, Prof Khosla said he would like to dedicate the award to his teachers and also to the staff and students of?Shoolini University. Prof. Khosla, who has completed his B.Sc. (Hons) School from?Panjab University?has earned?Gold Medal in M. Sc. (Hons)?from the same University. Subsequently, he had completed his Ph.D. from Panjab University in 1968.
He is a former Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh?Agricultural University?and a former Advisor Biotech to the Himachal Pradesh government. He subsequently led the founding of Shoolini University which is now rubbing shoulders with global universities in the field of research. Prof. Khosla has been awarded the?Seth Memorial Award?– Society of Tree Scientists for Outstanding Achievement in Forestry and Life Time Achievement Award, Indian Society of True Scientists. He is a Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India, Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, India and International Society of Tropical – Foresters, USA. He is also Founder Secretary, Indian Society of True Scientists, India.
Himachal-based Shoolini University today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Formosa University of Taiwan.
The agreement aims to facilitate collaborations in research and exchange of student and faculty on reciprocal basis.
The MoU was signed by Shoolini University Vice Chancellor Prof P K Khosla and president of National Formosa University Prof Wen-Yuh Jywe who was accompanied by coordinator international affairs, Ms Jiang Pei-Rong.
The two universities would collaborate in spheres of students exchange, faculty exchange and higher study opportunities for Shoolini University students in Taiwan.
As per the agreement, every semester six students and faculty members from each side can visit and study in the partner university.
Faculty members and students would engage in joint research activities.
Prof Khosla said that the agreement would initially focus on Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
Earlier five MOUs were signed between Shoolini University with five different universities in Taiwan for exchange of students and joint research last month during the visit of Director, International Affairs Dr R P Dwivedi and Dr Rozy Dhanta, Assistant Director, International Affairs of Shoolini University.
The five universities were Asia University, Meiho University, Kaohsiung Medical University, National Taichung University of Education and National Chiayi University.
