SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/SYMPOSIUMS

Health and Nutrition Education for the Adolescent Girls
Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and maturation in human development. The nutritional status of adolescent girls, the future mothers, contributes significantly to the nutritional status of the community. As on March 2001, adolescents accounted for 22.8% of the population of India. There are around 239 million adolescents in India in the age group of 10- 19 years presently. It is estimated that there are about 69.7 million adolescent girls constituting about 7.0% of the total population.

The current lifestyles of adolescents, such as eating habits and reproductive behaviour, are crucial for the health and disease patterns that will be observed in the future. Nevertheless, during these formative years, adolescents are subject to many influences dominating their internal and external environment. These include: parents, teachers, peer groups, health care providers, media, and religious and cultural norms in the community. Knowledge of the significant rapid physical, mental and social changes occurring during this critical stage of life helps adolescents to absorb and adapt to these changes and enables them to avoid becoming victims of many serious illnesses. Therefore, there is a need to create awareness among the adolescent girls on health and nutrition. With this background Centre for Women’s Studies organized a week long programme on “Health and Nutrition Education for Adolescent Girls” at Government High School, Theeteepalayam, Thondamuthur Block, Coimbatore. This programme was organized from 11.07.2011 to 15.07.2011, wherein Dr.K.C.Leelavathy, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies delivered the inaugural address, Thiru.N.Ayyasamy, Head Master, Government High School, Theeteepalayam, Thondamuthur Block, Coimbatore greeted the adolescent girls.

The adolescent girls were enlightened on the status of women, significance of the adolescent period, challenges and opportunities, good nutritional practices, balanced diet, nutrients and their functions and requirements, food hygiene and sanitation and the concept of life skill education.

Computer Literacy Programme
In collaboration with Integrated Child Development Service, Thondamuthur Block, a short term course on Computer fundamentals was organized for the adolescent girls in Kalampalayam in the month of December 2011.

A computer literacy programme in collaboration with Tulsi Rural Development Trust, Coimbatore was functioned in Kalampalayam, Thondamuthur Block of Coimbatore District since 2007. Various employment oriented courses namely Microsoft Office, Desk Top Publishing, Tally and Web Designing were conducted in for five days in a week. Special classes were also organized for school students on every Saturday. So far we have trained nearly 374 persons including school students, school dropouts, Women and Differently abled persons.

Now the centre is shifted to Kannarpalayam, Karamadai Block in order to train the people in that block.

Regional Seminar on Gender Equality and Inclusive Growth
Centre for Women’s Studies in collaboration with the Ambedkar Studies centre and Equal Opportunity Cell, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women organized a Regional Seminar on “Gender Equality and Inclusive Growth” From 14 – 15 December 2010.

communities and the other marginalized sections of society. Dr.Sheela Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor gave felicitations. Gender training has been seen as a key - often, as the key - to effecting changes in gender relations in grass-roots communities and in development organizations themselves. She argued that rather than seeing gender and development as a particular, separate agenda, it is the only same way of understanding our world, where both women and men lose out from unsustainable development models which manipulate stereotypes of masculinity and femininity to ensure the continuing oppression of poor people. Dr.N.Vasugi, Associate Professor, Department of Textiles and Clothing proposed the vote of thanks.

In the afternoon of the first day, Prof. H.M.Dasarda, Member, Executive Council, University of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh discussed the Tasks and Challenges of Feminization of Development.

During the first technical session Dr.A.Rajeswari, Professor and Head, Department of Economics, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women, Coimbatore discussed about the Inclusion of the Hitherto Excluded Population – an Agenda for Action. The second day of the regional seminar was started with the technical session II with the theme Achievement of Inclusive Growth through Financial Inclusion. The theme of the third technical session is Gender Equality: a Cornerstone of Development.

Valedictory address was delivered by Mr.R.Nandagopal, Manager, Lead Bank, Coimbatore. Dr. Gowri Ramakrishnan, Registrar, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women, Coimbatore presided and distributed the certificates to the participants. Dr.R.Annapoorani, Professor, Department of Economics, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women gave the vote of thanks. 150 staff members and students from Universities and colleges in Southern Region were participated in this seminar.

District Level Seminar on Rejuvenation of Women through Mahakavi Bharathiar Songs
Music, which is the most fascinating art of any other arts, occupies the minds of every human beings. It’s easier to seed any kind of thoughts within the mind of every human, through music. Though there is concern about women’s freedom, liberation, empowerment, etc., in the society, yet the awareness must be enhanced in a wider level, in order to create a reviviscence in the life of each woman, Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar is such a man who seeded the thought of women’s rights through his compositions. With this background Centre in collaboration with the Department of Music, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women, Coimbatore organized a UGC Sponsored District Level Seminar on Mahakavi Bharathiar’s Songs on Women’s Empowerment” on 12.01.2011. Wherein 150 students from Government and Private School in and around Coimbatore were participated. The students were enlightened on women’s empowerment in Bhrathiar’s Songs through songs. Dr.Sheela Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women delivered the presidential address, Dr.T.Sathish Kumar, Founter Trustee, Rajalakshmi Fine Arts, Coimbatore delivered the special address and Dr.V.Janaka maya Devi, Head, Department of Music, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women greeted the participants.

Dance drama programme on Women empowerment and save girl child
As part of the International Women's Day, Centre for Women’s Studies in Collaboration with Sri Jain Shwetambar Therapanth Mahila Mandal organized a dance drama, Elan Ek Awaaz Naya Agaaz, based on Save the Girl Child campaign, on 23.03. 2011 at Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women, Coimbatore.

The dance drama, showcased the insidious presence of women abuse still so prevalent in our society. If only there were more women like Ananya in India! An ordinary girl born in to a conservative family, she fights against female foeticide – an inhuman act that continues to taint certain parts of our country.

Dance drama Élan, Ek Awaaz… Naya Agaaz is the story of this small-town girl turning in to a woman of exemplary courage and determination.

The event was organised by Akhil Bharatiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal in association with Chocolate Mind Events and On 8 Dance Company.This dance drama has been staged in several cities of the country including Delhi, Kanpur, Patna, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Chennai, Bangalore and so on.

Thousands of women in India suffer the injustices meted out to their daughters in silence. The play ends on a positive note – Ananya reunites with her family. She is stronger now, and will take on life with confidence and give voice to her problems.

Workshop on Preparation on Documentary Film
Documentary film is a broad category of motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality. A "documentary film" was originally a movie shot on film stock - the only medium available - but now includes video and digital productions that can be either direct-to-video or made for a television program. "Documentary" has been described as a "filmmaking practice, a cinematic tradition, and mode of audience reception" that is continually evolving and is without clear boundaries. Against this background, the Centre for Women’s Studies and Department of Home Science Extension Education jointly organized a three day workshop on “Preparation of Documentary Film” from 23.3.2011 to 25.3.2011.

The objectives of the workshop are as follows

to understand the importance and advantages of documentary film
to understand the use and implementation of appropriate techniques involved in film industry..

A total of 18 students from final year B.Sc Extension and Communication participated in the workshop. Miss.Vajitha Sulthana, III B.Sc Extension and Mass Communication welcomed the gathering. Dr.K.C.Leelavathy, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies inaugurated the programme. Dr.K.Thangamani, Professor and Head, Department of Home Science Extension Education greeted the participants. Miss.Swathi Sowdeshwari, III B.Sc Extension and Communication proposed the vote of thanks. Mr.Arvind Kumar, Kalaikuviyal, Ram Nagar, Coimbatore was the resource person for the workshop.

Sensitization Awareness Motivation Workshop on Capacity Building of Women Managers in Higher Education

The percentage of women at top decision-making levels in Indian Universities is very small and as yet, they are grossly underrepresented in decision-making bodies. The University Grants Commission has been endeavoring to weave gender equality and gender justice into its policies and university curricula. To induct a sizable number of women in the system who can make this perception known and understood at various levels of decision-making and to address the issue of quality interventions through training and development, UGC has launched the programme for “Capacity building of Women Managers in Higher Education”.

A Sensitization / Awareness / Motivation workshop on “Capacity Building of Women Managers In Higher Education was organized from 14.12.2009 to 18.12.2009. This programme was sponsored by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi.

Twenty-Nine women academicians in the rank of Lecturers, Readers, Associate Professors and Heads of Department from the following university/colleges participated.

Universities

Amrita University, Coimbatore
Anna University, Coimbatore
Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore
Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
Karpagam University, Coimbatore
Karunya University, Coimbatore
Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

Colleges

Bishop Appasamy College, Coimbatore
Dr. GRD College of Science, Coimbatore
Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam
Kovai Kalaimagal College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore
Nehru Arts and Science College, Coimbatore
NGM College, Pollachi
Nirmala College for Women, Coimbatore
Providence College, Coonoor
PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore
Rathinam College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore
SNR Sons College, Coimbatore
Sri Narayana Guru College, Coimbatore

Tmt.N.Kamini, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime and Traffic, Coimbatore delivered the inaugural address. Thiru.T.K. Shanmuganandam, Chancellor, Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore in his presidential address remarked that trained women managers in the higher education institutions could well complement the efforts of men for a qualitative development of the system and ensure gender equity. Prof. Karuna Chanana, UGC Core Group Resource Person for Capacity Building of Women Managers in Higher Education chalked out the underlying objectives of organizing the workshop for the women academicians in the stream of higher education. Dr.K. Hemalatha, Professor, Dept. of Mathematics, Anna University & Regional Coordinator for this programme presented the regional context of this programme and gave a brief introduction about the background of the workshop.

Women’s Studies Perspective, Women and Governance of Higher Education, Women and Academic Leadership, Personal and Professional Roles and Women and Research were the manuals covered in the workshop. Apart from the above-mentioned manuals, open sessions on Women in Administration and Challenges of Women Managers were also conducted. Dr. N. Manimekalai, Director, Department of Women’s Studies , Bhardidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Sr.Bridget Arputhraj, Lecturer in Commerce, Department of Commerce, Holy Cross College, Trichy, Dr.Chamundeeswari, Vice Principal, Sri Ramachandra College of Pharmacy, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Dr.V.Uma Maheswari, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Anna University, Chennai and Dr.S.Gokilavani, Chairperson , School of Women’s Studies, Alagappa University, Karaikudi were the Trainer Associates for transacting the different manuals.

Health and Nutrition Education for the Adolescent Girls

Adolescence is a state or process of growing up from puberty to maturity. Adolescent account for 1/5 of the world’s population and in India they account for 22.8 per cent of the total population. Adolescents are tomorrow’s adult. Adolescent growth and development is closely linked to the diet they receive during childhood and adolescence. Adolescents may represent a window of opportunity to prepare nutritionally for a healthy adult life. It may also be a timely period to shape and consolidate healthy eating and life style behaviors, thereby preventing or postponing the onset of nutrition related chronic diseases in adulthood. Number of adolescent in India particularly girls marked by poor nutritional status and high level of morbidity and mortality. The next generation of our country will be effected if adolescent girls who are would be mothers would have ill health and nutritional status.

Keeping in view, the importance of adolescent period in human life and nutritional problems of adolescent girls , a week long programme on “Health and Nutrition Education for Adoloscent Girls was organized at Government Higher Secondary School, Alandurai, Thondamuthur Block, Coimbatore. This programme was organized from 01.02. 2010 to 03.02.2010, wherein Dr. K.C.Leelavathy, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies delivered the inaugural address, Tmt. Vennilla Muthumanickam, Chairman, Thondamuthur Block, Coimbatore and Tmt. S.Dhanalakshmi, Head mistress, Government higher secondary school, Alandurai greeted the students.

Status of Women in India and Tamil Nadu, Value based education, balanced diet; nutrient - their functions and requirements, cooking practices to improve nutritive value of food through germination and fermentation, food hygiene and sanitation, Programmes for the welfare of the adolescent girls were the topics covered.

Workshop on Software in Electronic Media

In Collaboration with Department of Home Science Extension a workshop on “Software in Electronic Media” was organized from 01.03.2010 to 05.03.2010. Mr. Thamarai Chandran, Programme Executive, FM Rainbow, All India Radio Coimbatore inaugurated the workshop, Dr. K.C.Leelavthy, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies greeted the participants. Mr.Thamarai Chandran, Programme Executive, Rainbow FM, All India Radio, Mr. Prabhu Kumar, Radio Jockey, Rainbow FM, All India Radio and Ms. Sudha Priya, radio Jockey, Rainbow FM, All India Radio, Mr. Arvind Kumar, Kalaikuviyal, Coimbatore, Mr. Chandra Mohan, and Mr. Varghees, Krell Electronics, Coimbatore and Mr.Sudhakar, P.S.G. Community Radio were the resource persons for the workshop. Growth of Radio in India and the ethics and norms followed in All India Radio, Origin and growth of camera, Different types of sections in Television were some of the topics covered in this workshop.

Dance drama Élan, Ek Awaaz… Naya Agaaz is the story of this small-town girl turning in to a woman of exemplary courage and determination.

The objectives of the workshop are as follows

to understand the importance and advantages of documentary film
to understand the use and implementation of appropriate techniques involved in film industry..

International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day was celebrated on 08.03.2011 in collaboration with the Department of Home Science Extension Education. Dr.K.Thangamani, Professor and Head, Department of Home Science Extension Education delivered welcome address. Dr.Sheela Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor of Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women, Coimbatore presided over the function. Dr. Thenmozhi Neethirajan, Gynaecologist, Kurinji Hospital. Coimbatore delivered the special address on importance of “Women and Health”

During the celebrations four women achievers were from various fields such as Mrs. T.R.Rajeshwari, Visually Impaired Music Teacher, Government Higher Secondary School, Kalapatti, Mrs.Chitra, SHG Coordinator, Sri Avinashilingam Education Trust Institutions, Mrs.Y.Stella, Urban Health Nurse, Meenakshi Maternity Home and Mrs.Sakunthala, Women Entrepreneur, Surya Tex, Coimbatore. were honoured by Dr. Thenmozhi Neethirajan.

Dr.Sheela Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor, Avinashilingam Deemed University distributed the prizes for the Winners of the competitions conducted for the SHG women. These competitions were organized by the Gandhian Studies Centre, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women.

Dr.K.C.Leelavathy,Director, Centre for Women’s Studies proposed vote of thanks. Faculty of Home Science, Faculty of Humanities students and SHG women from Coimbatore district were the participants for this function.

Regional Seminar on Gender Equality and Inclusive Growth
Centre for Women’s Studies in collaboration with the Ambedkar Studies centre and Equal Opportunity Cell, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women organized a Regional Seminar on “GENDER EQUALITY AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH” from 14 – 15 December 2010.

The seminar was inaugurated by Tmt. R. Vasuki IAS, Director of Social Welfare. She addressed the gathering on the core requirements for more effective gender mainstreaming. She also stressed the importance of Dialogue on gender equality and its implementation in policies, strategies and interventions. Dr.K.C.Leelavathy, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies, welcomed the gathering. Dr. T. S. K. Meenakshi Sundaram, Chancellor, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women gave the presidential address where he enlightened the students on rights of women, children, minority communities and the other marginalized sections of society. Dr. Sheela Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor gave felicitations. Gender training has been seen as a key - often, as the key - to effecting changes in gender relations in grass-roots communities and in development organizations themselves. She argued that rather than seeing gender and development as a particular, separate agenda, it is the only same way of understanding our world, where both women and men lose out from unsustainable development models which manipulate stereotypes of masculinity and femininity to ensure the continuing oppression of poor people. Dr. N. Vasugi, Associate Professor, Department of Textiles and Clothing proposed the vote of thanks.

In the afternoon of the first day, Prof. H.M. Dasarda, Member, Executive Council, University of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh discussed the Tasks and Challenges of Feminization of Development.

Valedictory address was delivered by Mr. R. Nandagopal, Manager, Lead Bank, Coimbatore. Dr. Gowri Ramakrishnan, Registrar, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women, Coimbatore presided and distributed the certificates to the participants. Dr. R. Annapoorani, Professor, Department of Economics, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women gave the vote of thanks. 150 staff members and students from Universities and colleges in Southern Region were participated in this seminar.

Capacity Building and Life Oriented Education for the Tribal Women
Centre for Women’s Studies in collaboration with the Department of Home Science Extension organized a capacity building programme for the women in tribal areas on 28.10.2010. The tribal women were trained on various income generating activities. Fifty tribal women benefited from the programme. Tribal women were trained by the Resource persons from Jan Shiksha Sansthan.

In collaboration with the Department of Home Science Extension Education the Centre for Women’s Studies organized a special lecture on 28.10.2010 for the tribal women. Dr. Godavari Kamalanathan, Director, Avinashilingam Education Trust Institutions stressed the importance on nutrition and health Education. Dr. Mohaideen, Life Clinic Foundation, Coimbatore enlightened the participants on various opportunities available for the tribal women and need for empowerment. Dr. Sheela Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women delivered the presidential address and Dr. K. C. Leelavathy, Director, Department of Women’s Studies delivered the vote of thanks.

Maha Mela
Maha Mela (exhibition cum sale of products by women entrepreneurs) was organized on 21.10.2010 and 22.10.2010. Dr. Sheela Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women, Coimbatore, presided. Dr. Gowri Ramakrishnan, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women, Coimbatore greeted the women entrepreneurs. Thiru. C. Karthic, Deputy Mayor, Coimbatore inaugurated the mela. Sixty stalls were put up by the budding women entrepreneurs wherein items such as handicrafts, readymade garments, artificial jewellery, fancy items etc were displayed. The women reported that they had incurred a profit of Rs. 1000 to 1500 per day. The staff and the students were encouraged to patronize the respective stalls put up by the entrepreneurs.

Seminar on Women and Development
Centre for Women’s Studies in Collaboration with the Department of Home Science Extension Education organized a one day seminar on Women and Development on 27.09.2010 for the third year undergraduate students from the department of Home Science Extension Education, wherein Dr. K. Thangamani, Professor and Head, Department of Home Science Extension Education, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women inaugurated the programme. Special lecture on Role of ICDS in the Development of Women and Children was given by Mrs. S. Revathi, Nutritionist, District Programme Officer, Integrated Child Development Services, Coimbatore. Following were the topics covered in the seminar

Objectives of ICDS
Functions of ICDS
Staff pattern
Target group
Package of Services
ICDS Projects in Tamil Nadu

Workshop on Personality Development
A workshop on Personality Development was organized in Collaboration with the Department of Home Science Extension Education on 23.09.2010. Dr. Gowri Ramakrishnan, Registrar, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women inaugurated the workshop. Mr. A. Anantha Hariharan, Trainer cum Placement Coordinator, Career Ladder Consultancy, Coimbatore delivered a special lecture on Personality Development. Time Management, Good Behaviour, Positive Thinking, Discipline, Duties, Health, Friends, Reading Habits, Fearlessness, sense of humor and presence of mind to improve the personality of the Individual. Third year under graduate students from the Department of Home Science Extension Education were the participants for this programme. Dr. K. Thangamani, Professor and Head, Department of Home Science Extension Education, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women greeted the participants.

Workshop on First Aid and Safety Measures
Centre for Women’s Studies in collaboration with the Department of Food Service Management and Dietetics organized a two day workshop on First Aid and Safety Measures from 01.09.2010 to 02.09.2010. Dr. G. Krishna Bai, Dean, faculty of Home Science, Avinashilingam Deemed University for Women delivered the presidential address and Mr. A.S. Noel Jayaraj, Lecturer, St. John Ambulance, Coimbatore District Center, Coimbatore delivered a Special lecture on First aid and Safety Measures.

Around Sixty students from II B.Sc Hospitality Management Dietetics and I M.Sc Food Service Management and Dietetics participated in the workshop. The students were enlightened on the Road safety and First Aid .

Special Lecture on Women’s Participation in Economic Activities
A special lecture on Women’s Participation in Economic Activities was organized in Collaboration with the Department of Economics on 27.07.2010. Dr. Sherly Kurien, Associate Professor, Department of Economics was the Resource person. The students from the Department of Home Science Extension, Commerce and Economics were enlightened on status of women in India and Tamil Nadu, empowerment and the need for economic empowerment and their participation in economic activities.

Workshop on Software in Electronic Media

In Collaboration with Department of Home Science Extension a workshop on “Software in Electronic Media” was organized from 01.03.2010 to 05.03.2010. Mr. Thamarai Chandran, Programme Executive, FM Rainbow, All India Radio Coimbatore inaugurated the workshop, Dr. K.C.Leelavthy, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies greeted the participants. Mr. Thamarai Chandran, Programme Executive, Rainbow FM, All India Radio, Mr. Prabhu Kumar, Radio Jockey, Rainbow FM, All India Radio and Ms. Sudha Priya, radio Jockey, Rainbow FM, All India Radio, Mr. Arvind Kumar, Kalaikuviyal, Coimbatore, Mr. Chandra Mohan, and Mr. Varghees, Krell Electronics, Coimbatore and Mr. Sudhakar, P.S.G. Community Radio were the resource persons for the workshop. Growth of Radio in India and the ethics and norms followed in All India Radio, Origin and growth of camera, Different types of sections in Television were some of the topics covered in this workshop.

Celebration of International Women’s Day
The year 2010 marks the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for action, the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. The Beijing Platform – the most comprehensive global policy framework to achieve the goals of gender equality, development and peace – called for action on 12 key issues: Poverty | education and training | health | violence against women |armed conflict | economy | power and decision-making |institutional mechanisms | human rights | media | environment | girls.

In recognition of this important anniversary, March 8th 2010 is observed as the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, the theme of this year’s celebration is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All” On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Centre for Women’s Studies in Collaboration with the Department of Home Science Extension and Community and Social Service organized a Special Lecture wherein Dr. Saroja Prabhakaran, Vice Chancellor, Avinashilingam University for Women presided and delivered a lecture on “Women in Community Service”

Various Competitions namely essay, poster and slogan writing competitions on the theme Equal Rights for Women was organized for the University students. Around 400 students participated in these competitions. The cash prizes for the winners of the competition were distributed by Dr. G. Krishnabai, Dean, Faculty of Home Science, Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore.

Personality Development for Postgraduate Students
A special lecture on personality development was organized on 24.09.2005 for the university students, wherein Mr. Moncy Thomas addressed the university student fraternity on the multifaceted dimensions of personality development. Group discussion followed the presentation by the resource person. Fifty postgraduate students from the Home Science Faculty participated in this programme.

Workshop on Gender Equity through Enterprise Development
A workshop on Gender Equity through Enterprise Development” was organized from 27.02.2006 to 02.02.2006. This workshop was sponsored by National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Seventy-three undergraduate women students from PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, PSG College of Arts and Science and Avinashilingam University for Women participated. Mrs. Rita Sengupta, Director (B/S), NIESBUD gave a lead presentation on Empowerment of Women through Enterprise Development – NIESBUD’S Perspective.

This workshop was organized with an aim to encourage and mainstream women graduates in economic development. The Resource persons were drawn from the following institutions/agencies:

Small Industry Services Institute (SISI)
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
District Industries Centre (DIC)
Canara Bank
Indian Bank

Role of Gender in Enterprise Development, Project Planning and Evaluation, Formation and Promotion of an Enterprise, Promotional Role of Government Agencies in Entrepreneurial Units, Information Technology and Enterprise Development, Enterprise Resource Planning, Gender and Co- operative Conflicts and Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs in Nationalized Banks were some of the technical sessions of the workshop.Apart from the Government Agencies and Institutions, the students also had an interface with successful women entrepreneurs and they also visited entrepreneurial units to get hand on experience about entrepreneurship development.

International Women’s Day Celebrations
International Women’s Day was celebrated on 10.03.2006 wherein Mrs. P.C. Thenmozhi, SP, Coimbatore gave the International Women’s Day Message on Women in Decision Making. Students from the Faculty of Home Science and Humanities participated.

Two Days National Seminar on A Healthy Vision for Life Style Diseases
In collaboration with the Department of Food Service Management and Dietetics, a two-day National level seminar entitled “A Healthy Vision for Life Style Diseases” was organized on 20.03.2006 and 21.03.2006. The seminar revolved around themes such as Health Problem’s of Today’s Women, Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Preventive Measures, Cancer Prevalence and Prevention. The role of Dietitian as an integral part of Hospitality Industry, Modification of life style for health promotion. The importance of stress free life was also discussed. A total of 100 participants took part in the seminar. The participants included the students from the Faculty of Home Science and third year Engineering students of Food Processing and faculty members from various departments of Avinashilingam Deemed University . Panel of experts comprising eminent doctors from various hospitals in Coimbatore were invited to enlighten the participants.

District Level Workshop on Impact of Globalization on Women with Special Reference to Food Security
Assessing the impact of globalization on women is the need of the hour and against this backdrop, a seminar on “ Impact of Globalization on Women with Special Reference to Food Security” was organized in collaboration with the Department of Economics, Avinashilingam Deemed University on 21.03.2006. Mr. C. Ramasamy, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University , Coimbatore inaugurated the seminar. Number of thematic sessions were organized to enlighten the participants on the impact of globalization on women. All the students from the Faculty of Humanities participated.

Seminar on Women and Media
A one –day seminar on Women and Media was organized on 21.03.2006 in collaboration with the Department of Hindi. Dr. K. Kulandaivel, Chancellor, inaugurated the seminar. The deliberations focussed on the various issues involved in the portrayal of women in media. Around 100 students from the Department of Hindi and Faculty of Community Education participated in the seminar.

Regional Seminar on Urban Women in Contemporary Indian English Fiction
In collaboration with the Department of English, a Regional Seminar on Urban Women in Contemporary Indian English Fiction was organized on 22.03.2006. This seminar was an attempt to discuss the multifaceted experience of urban women as portrayed in the Contemporary Indian English Fiction. Dr. Claramma Jose, Reader, Department of English, Loyola College , Chennai, enthused the students about the different dimensions of feminism in Indian context. All the students from the Faculty of Humanities participated.

Programme on Credit Support to NGO and Role of NGO in Women Development
An interesting programme on Credit Support to NGO and Role of NGO in Women Development was organized on 10.03.2006 and 05.04.2006 wherein Professor Susheela Kaushik, Former Director, Centre for Women’s Studies, University of Delhi and President, Centre for Development Studies and Action, New Delhi shared her experiences about the numerous stages involved in the development of NGO and Mr. Ram Prabhu, Advocate, Secretary, Indram Trust enlightened on the Role of NGOs in women development.

Workshop on E – Learning in Women’s Studies
A two-day workshop on “E-Learning in Women’s Studies “ was organized from 24.05.2006 to 25.05.2006 for the women’s studies centres of the Southern Region wherein uniformity in the syllabus of the courses and developing E-Learning module was the focus of the meeting. Dr. M. Jayakumar, Director, Department of Career Guidance, Extension and Students Welfare, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore stressed upon the need for virtual learning in the field of women’s studies and various other disciplines. A total of thirty participants from Lady Doak College - Madurai, Alagappa University - Karaikuddi, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam - Tirupati, Bharathidasan University – Tiruchirappalli and Avinashilingam Deemed University – Coimbatore participated in the workshop.

Interface Between the UK Experts and Higher Education Link Members
An Interface Between the UK Experts and Higher Education Link Members was organized on 07.07.2006. In this interface a write up was prepared on details of exchange visits and on consequent follow up activities.

Seminar on Cultural Variations of Depression in Women
Centre for Women’s Studies in Collaboration with the Department of Psychology organized a one day seminar on Cultural Variations of Depression in Women on 01.07.2006.The participants included the final year undergraduate students of Interior Designing and Environment and Psychology, final year postgraduate students of Counselling Psychology and Human Development and faculty members from various departments of Avinashilingam Deemed University. The eminent speakers highlighted the importance of understanding among the couples, research dealing with issues of depression in urban and rural women in India and the U.S. During the discussion, students enthusiastically took part and posed questions regarding widowhood, premarital sex, occupation, self-identity etc and their impact on depression.

Two days Seminar on Nutrition and Health Indicators of Women
Centre for Women's Studies in Collaboration with the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Avinashilingam Deemed University, Coimbatore organized a two day seminar on “ Nutrition and Health Indicators of Women’ from 28 .08.2006 to 29.08.2006. A total of 135 participants took part in the seminar. The participants included the first year M.Sc students from the Faculty of Home Science and third year Engineering students of Food Processing and faculty members from various departments of Avinashilingam Deemed University. The eminent speakers like Dr. Mohammed Ali, Block Medical Officer, Thudiyalur, Dr. Mahadevan, Department of STD. Government Hospital, Coimbatore and Dr. Swathanthira Devi, Gynaecologist, SHRI HARI HOSPITAL, Coimbatore highlighted the importance of holistic health in a woman’s life.

Gender Sensitization Programme
To sensitize the adolescents about gender related aspects, gender roles, myths on gender roles, status of women, women and development, approaches through five year plans, violence against women, women and media, laws, legislations and human rights a Gender Sensitization programme for the University students were organized in collaboration with the Department of Human Development on 20.09.2006. Dr. Sathyavathi Muthu, Dean, Faculty of Home Science, Avinashilingam University for Women delivered the presidential address. Seven hundred students and faculty members were participated in the workshop. A skit on Gender sensitization and a street play on Gender Issues were conducted. Status of woman, gender issues, gender in family and work were the issues addressed during the gender sensitization programme.