Stigma related to AIDS

HIV-related stigma refers to the negative beliefs, feelings and attitudes towards people living with HIV, groups associated with people living with HIV (e.g. the families of people living with HIV) and other key populations at higher risk of HIV infection, such as people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people. HIV-related discrimination refers to the unfair and unjust treatment (act or omission) of an individual based on his or her real or perceived HIV status. Discrimination in the context of HIV also includes the unfair treatment of other key populations, such as some social contexts, women, sex workers, people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people in prisons and other closed settings and, in some social contexts, women, young people, migrants, refugees and internally displaced people. HIV-related discrimination is usually based on stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs about populations, behaviours, practices, sex, illness and death. Discrimination can be institutionalized through existing laws, policies and practices that negatively focus on people living with HIV and marginalized groups, including criminalized populations.

Stigma and discrimination are among the foremost barriers to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Specifically, research has shown that stigma and discrimination undermine HIV prevention efforts by making people afraid to seek HIV information, services and modalities to reduce their risk of infection and to adopt safer behaviours lest these actions raise suspicion about their HIV status. Research has also shown that fear of stigma and discrimination, which can also be linked to fear of violence, discourages people living with HIV from disclosing their status even to family members and sexual partners and undermines their ability and willingness to access and adhere to treatment. Thus, stigma and discrimination weaken the ability of individuals and communities to protect themselves from HIV and to stay healthy if they are living with HIV.

Nakul Pasricha

The NorthCap University, Gurgaon

8059322308

Nakulpasricha24@gmail.com

White Belt Training in Six Sigma and Lean Basics

To mark the beginning of the practices that we follow to bring quality in every facet we achieve at The NorthCap University, our knowledge partner, American Society of Quality (ASQ) organized a one day programme in White Belt Training in Six Sigma and Lean basics on 24 September 2016. A total 102 students from Schools of Engineering, Law and Management, together took in all the brainstorming activities which were planned for the day. Students were first made to move out of their comfort zone and form teams with strangers. This enabled them to gain confidence and work together as a team. 

Following this the students were introduced to impossible situations which only be solved if they adopted “Out of the box” thinking. This year, the theme of the conference was “Make in India”. This was greatly appreciated by the students with the aid of Six Sigma which aims at reducing variations.

After several fun and thought invoking activities, students at the end of the conference, were able to understand the concept of efficiency, to set challenging yet achievable objectives, to implement a uniform approach to resolve all the problems and to keep working to achieve breakthrough processes to improve employee performance. This, in turn, helps the future executives to establish vision, challenge, and objectives and provide resources. 

The training was highly appreciated and was proven to be extremely beneficial for each student who took part in it. 

Internship – The Key Driver to Placements

Prof. Ravindra Ojha

Director, School of Engineering and Technology

The NorthCap University, Gurgaon

With the service and industry sector contributing approximately 90% to GDP in India coupled with the aggressive initiatives being taken by the government in the form of Make-in-India, Skilling-India, Digital-India and increasing FDI, the job market is likely to accelerate for the youth in coming years. Therefore, industry would soon need students from Universities with industry-ready competencies: those of critical-thinking, structured problem solving, application orientation of technical tools/techniques, team work, and effective communication skills. 

The University ought to take cognizance of the aspiring students and initiate their profile assessment in the 2nd year of study. Thereafter student grouping would fall mainly into four categories – industry related job seekers, research/(technical) higher-studies oriented, entrepreneurs/ family business preference. The successful students would envision their future career right from day one at the  University. It is imperative that they identify faculty counselors/guides to support them. This step is moving from mass-production to mass-customization.

A significant majority there in is looking for jobs immediately after completing their professional programs. One of the key drivers in successful placements is industry engagement. This can easily be accelerated by involving industry experts in diverse fields to share their experiences through the teaching-learning process with students. This should facilitate an exposure to live case studies for our students and present a real understanding of issues and identification of solutions.

There is no substitute to live industry project handling during the summer internship followed by its continuation as a major project, for a good placement. This methodology is a win-win situation for the industry and the academia. To the industry it provides a budding resource and establishes an excellent exposure for the student.  The internship also reveals the holistic competency of the students to prospective employersand subsequently aids in placement. The higher institutes for learning thus, need to catalyze partnerships with industry. A mandatory internship after the 3rd year of study completed in the industry with a defined problem would greatly benefit the students towards their placement.

One could crystallizeinitiativesin order to increase industry engagement as:

• Meaningful value-addition in curriculum modification using inputs from industry experts
• Facilitate  getting industry based live-case studies
• Alumni engagement in project based learning
• Mentoring of selected faculty by industry leaders
• Industry driven conclaves in the university

An Internship provides valuable understanding of the industrial environment and develops skill sets for a kick start engagement there after.It impacts student confidence positively, in stills work habits, fosters motivation, builds networking and finally enriches their personality. In conclusion, let us progress towards an industry engagement process that is meaningful and one that culminates inmutually beneficial placements.

HR Conclave I - 2016

School of Professional Attachment (SPA) organized a ‘HR Conclave’ followed by the annual group discussion competition ‘SochVichar III’ in association with Aarohan Club, NCU on 23 August 2016. The HR conclave targeted an important issue of ‘Scaling Employability’ during which experts presented their views and opinions on the topic. The event was graced by the presence of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Brig SK Sharma (Retd); Director SPA, Mr BK Gupta; Mr Subhodh Saluja, Head North India, Manpower Group; Mr JS Jangra, retired Chief Judicial Magistrate; Mr Chetan Soni, serial entrepreneur; Ms Yoshika, Socialist and Femina Miss India 2014 Finalist; Mr Ashwini Kumar Dhingra, Sr Manager HR, Omniglobe Internationals; Mr Anil K Gaur, entrepreneur and owner, Cybergurukul; Mr Satya Prakash, Director Tricore Solutions Pvt Ltd; Mr Puneet Khanduja, Asst Manager, Startbeans; Mr Chetan Singh, Placement Officer SPA and a large gathering of faculty and students of the University.

Mr Subhodh Saluja gave tips on how to become a successful employee and stressed on three major requirements in the corporate world - skills, attitude and knowledge. Further, Mr JS Jangra encouraged the students to have right attitude and grab the opportunities to get the best out of them. Mr Chetan Soni shared his experience regarding his entrepreneurship expertise and focused on how our peer groups influence our personality and self-growth. Ms Yoshika encouraged students to follow their dreams and stay confident. She focused on the fact that networking is the key aspects to grow rapidly in professional life. Mr Ashwini Kumar Dhingra urged students to believe in themselves and be self-motivated. Mr Anil K Gaur encouraged the students to follow their dreams and not to let others influence their career choices. Mr Satya Prakash stimulated the students to have out of the box thinking and encouraged them to be constantly updated with the changing trends. Mr Puneet Khanduja discussed about the common issues faced at workplace.

The discussion was followed by question round, where in the queries of students were aptly answered by the experts. The session concluded with the address of Brig SK Sharma (Retd). He thanked the experts for taking out time from their busy schedules and guiding the students of the university. He stated that marks are not everything, learning is equally important. 

Our alumnus, Mr Vineet Gupta (IT 2012-2016 batch) shared his experience at the HR Conclave, “The Aarohan team led by Banya and Pranav is awesome and very impactful. It was a great experience and the participants were enthusiastic and full of energy. I thank Aarohan Club and SPA for organizing these events and giving us an opportunity to interact with the students. I look forward to meeting the students again and sharing my journey from classroom to the office cubicle.”

How a top BTech College in Haryana inculcates scientific temper in the youth

Asking questions, gathering evidence, solving practical problems can help one develop a scientific outlook on life.  Scientific inquiry or scientific temper encourages students to think critically, challenge assumptions and investigate issues through research, observation and experimentation to improve our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Our physical / economic / environmental health and future benefits to humankind depend on our scientific progress. They depend on enhancing our understanding of the world in which we live.

"What is needed is the scientific approach, the adventurous and yet critical temper of science, the search for truth and new knowledge, the refusal to accept anything without testing and trial, the capacity to change previous conclusions in the face of new evidence, the reliance on observed fact and not on pre-conceived theory, the hard discipline of the mind—all this is necessary, not merely for the application of science but for life itself and the solution of its many problems."

        Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in his book, The Discovery of India

Advances in science and technology are fundamental to innovation and progress. In the words of the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, “Innovation is the antidote to stagnation”. We need people with fresh perspectives, having important skills of flexibility, innovation and creativity making careers in science and research for the betterment of society and economic wealth of the nation.

A top BTech College in Haryana, the School of Engineering & Technology at The NorthCap University (NCU), Gurgaon is one such institution whose mission is to develop competent technical professionals - innovative, analytical and independent; committed to excel in all their endeavours. NCU has been recognized as Research Centre/University by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India (one of the few self-financed educational institutions or universities to be so recognized).

 “We strive to equip our graduates with the ability to quantitatively analyze a problem in its entirety, think critically as well as qualitatively and only then come to a conclusion”, says Prof Prem Vrat, Pro-Chancellor & Professor of Eminence, NCU. Each programme in the University blends critical thinking and analysis with innovation, application and leadership qualities.

        Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower: Steve Jobs 

NCU has a vibrant academic ambience for innovation and research in all branches of science and technology, at all levels. Students are equipped for the future and encouraged to make the most of the abundant opportunities in every field and find solutions to problems by pooling different strengths together and arriving at a holistic approach in terms of practicality and ingenuity. The University’s focus is on producing innovators who have pioneered cutting- edge technology. The idea is not just to teach a specific technology, but inculcate an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving to prepare students for a complex and hyper-connected world.

To bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world, NCU accords highest priority to:

• Academic excellence
• Research and learning innovations for socially relevant outcomes
• Linkages for embracing globally-acceptable practices
• Industry relevant curriculum
• Multi-disciplinary value based education
• Development of entrepreneurship and leadership qualities
• Holistic development of responsible citizens

Graduates of NCU are groomed to develop critical knowledge relevant to the environment and sustainable development. Their scientific and technological excellence, exposure to real life problems, interdisciplinary approach to problem solving will help them to keep up with the break-neck pace at which technology is advancing. NCU is ‘Making in India’ highly skilled, creative thinkers and innovators possessing good ethical and reasoning skills who are ready to contribute to social good and economic wealth of the nation. NCU’s mantra is ‘Aim high and soar higher’.

Post your comments or contact us for at http://www.ncuindia.edu/

            

Written by Rekha Mathur

International Women’s Day

To empower and celebrate the strength of women, the NORTHCAP UNIVERSITY celebrated the International Women’s Day on 8 March 2016. The School of Law organized an event in association with Indian National Bar Council (INBA) and Prachi Educational Society (PES) in the morning session. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Ms Rekha Lohani (IPS), DIG, CRPF and conferred the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service for the Year 2013. Ms Helene Tremblay, the Guest of Honour, is a Canadian citizen, an internationally acclaimed inspirational speaker, author and photographer. 30 years back she started an ambitious journey of Humanity to Humanity across 116 countries across the world. Prof. (Dr) Rama Patnayak, President, Prachi Education Society, Professor Delhi University and a renowned social activist and Ms Archana Agarwal, National Bar Council were special invitees at the event.

The programme highlighted the achievements and challenges that women have encountered to gain acceptability and their efforts towards achieving an equal footing with men.  The welcome address was delivered by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Brig. SK Sharma (Retd). He said, “Safety of women is a basic issue. At NCU there is no discrimination between males and females.  We offer equal opportunities to girls and boys in everything from admissions to academics, student activities etc. In fact, one third of the students are girls but corner 50% of top slots (the Dean’s List). NCU is the right destination for higher education of girl students.”

Speaking at the occasion Ms Lohani spoke about the strong women leaders of modern India who have played important roles in every field leading and excelling in the freedom struggle, and later like Ms Indira Gandhi, Ms Pratibha Singh Patil, our lady Chief Ministers, Kalpana Chawla, Saina Nehwal and many more.  She emphasized that women should be self-motivated and nothing should dampen their ‘self-drive’. They must not be complacent as they have a long way to go so as to soar like the eagle.

Through a visual presentation Ms Helen Tremblay highlighted the status of women in many parts of the world. Speaking from her observations she said that men have generally tried to break the spirit of a woman and that is why women need empowerment. She said, “Men are stuck in a tradition. Help them to think differently as men need women”.

Prof. (Dr) Rama Patnayak (PES) appreciated NCU’s sincerity towards women empowerment and stated, “No woman should be fearful or feel insecure. Women should be ensured security, and equality has to become a reality”.

Students, Mukul Sharma and Manmohit Grewal, BBA-LLB (H) were felicitated for their outstanding social work during their first internship at Prachi Educational Society.

At the end students rendered mesmerizing musical tribute to womanhood, with the audience joining in and swaying to the rhythm and clapping to their beats, making it a memorable occasion.  This was followed by a debate and Extempore competitions for students. The event was coordinated by Mr Subhradipta Sarkar (SOL) and Dr Divyabha Vashisth (CLL).

To rejoice in the spirit of womanhood, the celebrations continued in the afternoon, organized by NCU’s HR Manager Ms Deepika Deswal  and Dr Shilpi Wadhwa, in co-ordination with Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurgaon. Speaking on the occasion Ms Deswal  said that the theme for 2016 International Women's Day is  "Planet 50-50 by 2030" and all present took a pledge to take concrete steps to accelerate gender parity, equality and create inclusive and flexible cultures.

Talk on ‘Health and Fitness’ was organized for all girls and lady staff members and delivered by Columbia Asia Hospital’s team of Rheumatologist Dr Shaloo Bhasin Gagneja, Dietician Dr Honey Khanna and  Senior Gynecologist Dr Amita Shah. An interactive session followed the talks and prizes were awarded by Columbia Asia Hospital, followed by tea and refreshments.

A mentor to College Life for a First-Year Engineering or Science Student

Mentoring is a very powerful concept and everyone is not lucky enough to have a right mentor. In order to be a good mentor, it is important to know and understand that mentoring is different from coaching, tutoring, counselling and supervising. There are various types of mentoring such as situational, supervisory, and flash mentoring. Irrespective of the type, mentoring provides critical benefits to individuals as well as institutions.

In the context of college or university, most of us would agree that mentoring is aimed to enhance the overall experience of every student. This is more so in the professional courses such as engineering, management, law, architecture etc. A student in the first year of college has to go through a myriad adjustments transitioning from school. From a highly regulated environment to a relatively independent setting, one needs to learn to navigate carefully for a smooth transition. This can be done effectively if one gets a proper mentoring.

A mentor is one who is more knowledgeable and certainly more experienced than the mentee and possesses specific areas of expertise related to the mentee. For a college student, a teacher can be a mentor to help in gaining a better learning experience. One thing that is most crucial in mentoring is listening by the mentor who can give a patient hearing to the mentee, be able to empathize, and remain easily accessible anytime. Mentorship involves providing psychosocial support in an informal setting. The mentee should feel comfortable in confiding with the mentor without any hesitation. The students, in general, have to deal with academic issues as well as interpersonal matters involving relationships in a relatively liberal environment. They also have to meet deadlines for their submissions, take care of their interest in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities while competing for good grades. More often than not the possible solutions to the mentee’s problems lie with the mentee only. The mentor needs to listen patiently and provide the requisite moral support to the mentee. In the absence of a mentor, some may risk losing track, unsettling their peace of mind and creating havoc with an otherwise promising career.

Mentoring is most effective when it involves face-to-face interactions generally over a sustained period of time. The efficacy of mentorship is gauged from the comfort level of the mentee for bringing the best in him/her. Therefore, it assumes a great importance for college students when their career is taking shape and they are building up their skill-set for a professional life ahead. Mentoring can also be vital in promoting life-long learning, a key component of nurturing an excellent professional. An effective mentoring system can lead to creation of future mentors as well.

To begin with, a mentorship program is to be implemented only for the needy ones first as they will receive it with utmost sincerity and benefit tremendously. Others can be included after the initial benefits are known widely. A progressive organization would always have an effective and well-designed mentorship program to help people realize their true potential and create in them a sense of delight and accomplishment.

Dr AK Yadav

Professor

Dept of Applied Sciences

THE NORTHCAP UNIVERSITY, Gurgaon