Activities

Departments & Academic Centres

• Department of Psychology
• Department of Intellectual Disability
• Department of Speech and Hearing Disability
• Department of Learning Disorder
• Department of Visual Impairment
• Department of Rehabilitation Nursing
• Department of Behavioural Medicine
• Department of Indian Sign Language

Institute of Research in Learning Disability (IRLD)

Institute of Research in Learning Disabilities has been established with the aim of conducting research studies to strengthening the inclusive education system by providing special in -service training to the teachers of general education, to deal the students with learning disabilities in general class rooms. In order to provide equal opportunity and full participation the students with special needs should be facilitated in the mainstream of education. Inclusion is a dynamic ongoing process that requires communication and sharing of information between regular teachers and students irrespective of ability or disability. Merely admitting the students with different challenges with their counterparts in normal school may not yield the desired results of the inclusive education.

Publishing newsletters, Hand outs and Books related to Inclusive Education and Learning Disability, Prepare the prospective teachers for the classroom management of students with Learning Disabilities studying under inclusive education, starting post graduate diploma programme in inclusive education and conducting seminars and awareness camps for promoting inclusive education are the other objectives in addition to the Research in Learning Disabilities and Inclusive Education. Two seminars and one day remedial teaching camp have already been conducted by IRLD. Giving academic support to the students and research scholars of School of Behaviorural Sciences is a regular activity of the IRLD.

Inter-University Centre for Disability Studies (IUCDS)

The inter university centre for disability Studies was established in 2010 under the School of Behavioural Sciences to extend the services of the department to the community and to strengthen the training and research activities. The objectives of the centre are formulated to complement the vision, mission and functions of the department.

Projects

Total Grants Received: 10332688

Extension Activities

The innovative practices started during 2015-16 in the area of extension activity are given below:

Life skills training for high school students

 Objectives:

• Identify the life skills of high school students.
• Discuss methods to help youth develop life skills

The Practice:

The department conducts life skills training programme for high school and higher secondary school students studying in various aided schools in Kottayam district. The programme is organized involving students undergoing MPhil psychology programme. A basic assessment of the perceived stress status of the students was done before the training and students were given orientation regarding stress management etc.

Empowerment of parents of mentally challenged children

 Objectives:

• Identify the quality of life of parents of mentally challenged children.
• Identify the coping style of parents of mentally challenged children
• Educate the parents of mentally challenged children regarding legal rights.

The Practice:

There are many legal rights and social security measures for the mentally challenged. The quality of life of the intellectually disabled population and their caregivers can be significantly improved if they are educated on these issues. The Department organized a one day seminar for the parents and caregivers of mentally challenged on legal guardianship. In addition to this the department also organize regular PTA meetings for the parents of mentally challenged adults attending the vocational rehabilitation centre

Jyothirgamaya

A Community extension activity of the School for the development of Awareness on disability.

Objectives:

• Sensitize the students and staff members of the University campus, neighborhood

colleges and schools, as well as Primary Health Centres, Self Help Groups and nearby community with regard to the concepts, causes, characteristics, early identification, prevention, and management of childhood disabilities.

• Develop awareness on importance of stress free life and prevention of life style diseases, as well as development of proper mental health among students, staff and community members.

The Practice:

Regular awareness classes are organized in the outpatient department of primary health centres to disseminate information regarding the problem of disability, causes, prevention and management of disability.

Insight

A Community extension activity of the School for the development of Attitudes related to disability rehabilitation and mental health..

Objectives:

• Develop favorable attitude among the community members towards Persons with Disabilities and the various aspects of Disability Rehabilitation.
• Develop positive attitude among the community members towards various roles to be played at various stages in life.

The Practice:

Regular awareness classes are organized in the Kudumbasree groups of neighbouringpanchayats to disseminate information regarding the problem of disability causes prevention and management of disability. Renowned persons with disability or persons working for the rehabilitation of people affected with disability are invited for these sessions.

PRATHEEKSHA

Early Identification and Intervention of ChildhoodDisabilities

Objectives

• To conduct screening of children for disabilities
• To promote early rehabilitation for children with disabilities
• To disseminate information to the general public regarding prevention, detection, and management of disabilities
• To promote interdisciplinary participation in disability prevention, detection and management

The Practice:

The department conducts a child development clinic on every second Saturday collaborating with the Indian Association of Pediatrics involving a team of pediatrician, clinical psychologist, counsellors, audiologist and physiotherapist. The activity of the centre is facilitated with the active involvement of Indian Academy of Pediatrics and District Early Intervention Centre. Children of different age groups attend the clinic and are evaluated for the presence of varying disabilities. Based on the diagnostic evaluation done, the team discusses and plans the necessary rehabilitative and habilitative services to promote quality of life and to empower the person. The centre is an attempt to prevent disability and to disseminate information regarding disability which is still an underexplored area.

Other Activities

Anti Ragging Cell and Anti Ragging Squad

Anti ragging Committee and anti-ragging squad has been formed with Director as Chairman of the committee and faculty members and students as members. Posters regarding prohibition of ragging are displayed in the school premises detailing the strict punishments as prescribed by UGC and the State Government. The measures adopted prevent the occurrence of ragging incidents on the campus.

1. (Dr.)P.S. Sukumaran (Chairman)
2. Rajeev Kumar N (Member)
3. P.T.Baburaj (Member)
4. Rincymol Mathew (Member)
5. Gaythridevi M.S (Research Student, Member)
6. Vyshakh M.S (I M.Sc. Student, Member)

Institutional Ethics Committee

Ethics Committee is constituted with the Director as Chairman of the Committee.

1. T.U Sukumaran, Prof. Pediatrics (Rtd.) Govt. Medical college, Kottayam, Chairman, (Medicine).
2. Subhadra K.T, Asso. Professor, Dr. Padiyar Memorial Homeopathic Med.College, Ernakulam. Member (Homoeopathy).
3. Sreedevi T.R, Associate Professor, Govt. College of Nursing, Kottayam. Member (Nursing)
4. Jasmine Alex, Assistant Professor, School of Indian Legal Thought, Member (Legal Expert)
5. Sandhya R.S, Asst. Professor, School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies.Member (social scientist)
6. Shiby V.C,  Administrative Officer, School of Behaviour Sciences, M.G. University, Kottayam. Member (lay person)
7. Rajeev Kumar N, Asso. Professor, School of Behavioural Sciences, M.G.University, Member (Psychologist).
8. P.S. Sukumaran, Professor and Head, School of Behavioural Sciences, M.G.University. Member Secretary(Special Education)

Internal Quality Assurance Cell

As per National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) guidelines School of Behavioural Science established an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) as a post-accreditation quality sustenance measure with Director as Chairman of the committee and faculty members and students as members. Since quality enhancement is a continuous process, the IQAC becomes a part of the institution’s system and works towards realization of the goals of quality enhancement and sustenance.

1. (Dr.)P.S. Sukumaran (Chairman)
2. Rajeev Kumar N (Asso. Professor)
3. Rincymol Mathew (Asst. Professor & Co-ordinator)
4. Anu George Varghese (PDF)
5. Ms.shahana Begam (II MSc. Student)
6. Mr. Rajeev .N (Administrative Officer)

SC/ST Cell

The Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) Cell in the School of Behavioural Sciences promotes the special interests of students in the reserved categorywith Director as Chairman of the committee and faculty members and students as members. It provides special inputs in areas where the students experience difficulties.

1. (Dr.) P.S. Sukumaran (Chairman)
2. P.T.Baburaj, Senior Lecturer
3. Archana K.M. (II MSc. Student)
4. Geethakrishnan P.K (Research student)
5. Shoyab K.A. (Assistant Section Officer)

Women Cell

Women Cell of School of Behavioural Sciences works with Director as Chairman of the committee and faculty members and students as members.The objective of the Women Cell is to maintain a congenial working environment for Women Employees and students ofthe School of Behavioural Sciences in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Supreme Court of India. The purpose and function of the Women Cell is to facilitate a gender-sensitive and congenial working environment so that women atwork place are not subjected to gender specific discrimination or sexual harassment.

1. (Dr.) P.S. Sukumaran (Chairman)
2. Rincymol Mathew (Asst. Professor)
3. Sophia Joseph (Special Teacher)
4. Chandramma V.S. (Office Superintendent)
5. Manju P Emmanuel (Research Student)

Anti Harassment Cell

1. (Dr.)P.S. Sukumaran (Chairman)
2. Rajeev Kumar N (Member)
3. P.T.Baburaj, Senior Lecturer (Member)
4. Rincymol Mathew, (Asst. Professor) (Member)
5. K.M Mustaffa, Asst.Prof. (Member)
6. Rajesh E, Asst. Prof. (Member)
7. Shiby V.C (A.O)
8. Sophia Joseph (Spl.Teacher) (Member)
9. JibinGeorge (PhD.Student) (Member)
10. Surya Thankappan(MPhil student) (Member)
11. ShadiyaJesbin T (M Sc student) (Member)

Environment Club

Environment Club has been formed with Smt. Rincymol Mathew as Convener of the committee and faculty members and students as members. The Club is dedicated to environmental issues. It campaigns for the improvement of the environment through activities such as planting trees, beautifying the School campus, etc. Environment club gives students the platform they need to take action on the environmental issues they feel passionate about. Channeling student energy and enthusiasm into an environment club will let students take a leadership role in identifying and achieving school’s environmental goals.

1. Rincymol Mathew (Convener)
2. Rajeev Kumar N (Asso. Professor)
3. K.M Mustaffa, (Asst.Professor)
4. Shiby V.C (Administrative Officer)
5. Ashy Ann Jose (I MSc. Student)
6. Anagha M.M (I MSc. Student)
7. KrishnaPriya(I MSc. Student )

Onam and Christmas Celebration

Students follow the practice of celebrating Christmas and Onam with enthusiasm.