25 Sep 2013|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
Amity Institute of Social Sciences organises a guest lecture by Prof. Jane Schukoske CEO, Institute of Rural Research and Development
Amity Institute of Social Sciences (AISS) organized a guest lecture for AISS students by Prof. Jane Schukoske CEO, IRRAD (Institute of Rural Research and Development), Gurgaon on 25th September 2013.
Prof (Dr) Nirupama Prakash, Director AISS welcomed the guest and introduced her to AISS students and faculty.
Lecture commenced with Prof Jane briefing about IRRAD’s mission of furthering the well-being of rural communities, with emphasis on community participation in integrated village development. She highlighted on the models adopted for rural development : water management, good governance, agricultural income enhancement, local institutions and citizen participation. Mewat district of Haryana is the focal area where IRRAD has undertaken development activities in order to address and resolve soaring and disturbed social indicators. Sustainable village development model was implemented in Mewat, which was designed and tested by IRRAD.
Prof. Schukoske left the house open for discussion among the students on an Ideal Village Model. Some of the suggestions and viewpoints which came from the audience were: adequate infrastructure, access to services and basic necessities, technological enhancements. Emphasis was also given on institution building, ownership,capacity building and partnership.
While concluding, Prof Jane gave importance to learning by doing. She highlighted on access to justice by accelerating legal literacy and spreading awareness among the rural folk. She also gave emphasis on training teachers and community workers so that they can guide people who live in rural areas and bring them to the mainstream of development at the earliest.
Professor Jane Schukoske encouraged students to apply for internships at IRRAD. She explained the objective of internship was and how this internship could help the students gain exposure to the outside world and develop themselves as professionals. Vote of Thanks was administered by AISS faculty Ms. Nancy Chopra. Students interacted with Prof. Schukoske and found the lecture very stimulating, especially those pursuing Social Work and Development Studies.