The three-day webinar on ‘Indigenous Youths in Institutions of Higher Learning: Their Wellness, Health and Life Skill Education’ concluded on 19th May 2022. The concluding day of the webinar was graced by Professor Asha. J.V., Dean, Department of Education, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, and was organized by the Education Programme under the School of Tribal Heritage and Tribal Indology, KISS-DU.
“Mastering beneficial lifelong learning skills helps one to work, learn and live better”, Professor Asha J.V. said, while mentioning that the three categories of life skills are social skills, cognitive skills and emotional skills. Talking about resilience and positive thinking, she explained how one can apply them in real life to reduce stress. The speaker laid importance on including self-defense in the regular curriculum and introduced the concept of Nature-Deficit Syndrome.
Quoting Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS, Professor Deepak Kumar Behera said, “Education is the third eye of a child”. He described various initiatives of KISS to protect, preserve and promote indigenous culture and heritage. KISS is instrumental in imparting holistic, inclusive and multi-disciplinary education and focuses on entrepreneurial skills of the students through training, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU informed that KISS-DU Life Skill Education is under practice for the past 15 years in collaboration with UNFPA. It has produced a large number of peer educators who propagate and practice the skill of understanding self, health and visioning the future, he said, while highlighting the innovative initiatives undertaken by KISS-DU like the Wellness Center and emphasizing the role of UNFPA and KISS in framing youth policy for Government of Odisha. Professor Bana Bihari Mishra, Professor Emeritus, KISS-DU summed up the deliberations.
Dr. Sujata Acharya, Principal, KISS and Director KISS Wellness Centre; Mr. Hurendra Parida, Faculty, Education Program; and Professor Namita Mohanty, Professor Emerita, KISS-DU also spoke. Ms. Diptishre Dash, Faculty, Education Program moderated the session and Ms. Guddi Shaktinanda Head, Education Programme proposed vote of thanks.