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Fellowship in Built Environment at Anant National University, Ahmedabad, Birds and Bees includes two boardgames and a handbook.
Through a fun lens
One of them is Consensify, a quizandstrategybased boardgame that aims to gamify conversations about sexuality, gender and everything else that falls under the awkward umbrella of adolescence. The project was spearheaded by Sohini Sengupta, with support from Sumeet Rodge and Abiodun Segun.
November 19 is World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, when the spotlight is placed on the trauma of child sexual abuse and the action that can be taken to prevent it. nificantly influence how the organisation is perceived during turbulent times.
Embracing
Consensify aims to sensitise teenagers in the age group of 14 to 17 on consent and boundaries in a light and accessible way. “In our primary research, we realised that both parents and teachers were keen on educating young people about safety and respect,” says Sengupta.
As part of the groundwork, the students conducted primary research in the urban centres of Kolkata, Bengaluru and Nagpur, and interviews in Nigeria, to understand the similarities and differences in stressors and problem areas in the global south.
The findings indicated that, owing to the lack of a sex education curriculum mandate in the country, peer learning is an important part of
transparency:
In times of crisis, honesty and transparency are paramount as it helps one come up with the best solution to manage the issue at hand. Therefore, students must learn to avoid hiding facts or divulging misleading information, as it can escalate the situation while eroding trust further. Instead, the right approach is to take responsibility for the situation and work on providing clear steps to address the issue. For example, in 2015, it was revealed that a renowned car brand had installed deceptive software in its diesel vehicles to manipulate emission tests. In addition, the initial lack of transparency worsened the crisis. The company’s eventual admission of guilt and implementation of corrective measures came too late and led to massive recalls, regulatory penalties, legal actions, and a significant blow to its brand credibility and customer trust.
Case studies:
Studying past crisis communication cases to understand what worked and what didn’t can help students equip themselves with strategies and also develop creative thinking skills that are imperative to analyse successful responses and the reason behind an effective strategy.
Communication skills:
Effective crisis communication demands clarity, brevity, and the ability to convey complex information concisely. Participating in public speaking events, debate clubs and engaging in writing exercises can help students master the art of effective communication.
Create crisis communication plans:
in hypothetical adolescent education on matters concerning sex, sexuality, and gender identity.
“We found that the fact that the Indian Penal Code criminalises consenting minors engaging
Engaging crisis scein sexual activities has often made it difficult for trainers to conduct workshops or courses on safe sexual practices or contraception,” says Sengupta. While there has been some effort in period literacy, the research suggested that those who are brought up as boys are often left to educate themselves about their bodies, amidst stigma, biases and misinformation. While there is a blanket understanding of good touch and bad touch, the concept of body autonomy and the nuances of consent are not fully understood.
Game play
Consensify is a threetosixplayer boardgame typically meant to be played in a school setting. “It could be a precursor to a sex education workshop or an alternative way to having connarios and crafting communication plans to address them allows students to practise responding swiftly and decisively when confronted with reallife issues. This helps them navigate challenging situations effectively while safeguarding the organisation’s reputation.
The idea is not to avoid crisis altogether but to deal effectively with unexpected and potentially overwhelming events that disrupt normalcy. This involves making informed decisions, taking prompt action, and maintaining a sense of control even amid chaos. This can be achieved when students build the capacity to respond and recover from it efficiently. Helping them build these skills during their academic journey equips them for a successful professional life. (Above and below) Players use both luck and strategy to navigate through situations that involve general knowledge and collaborative decisions
versations with an aide or guiding teacher,” explains Sengupta. Players use both luck and strategy to navigate through situations that involve general knowledge and collaborative decisions. The intent is to sow the seeds for conversations that students can carry forward at their own pace, ask questions, and research to get a better
I have done a B.Sc. (Computer Science) and am interested in doing a Master’s Social Work (MSW). Which are the best colleges for it in India, Tamil Nadu, and Chennai? Yesudhasan
Dear Yesudhasan,
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai;
Christ University, Bengaluru; Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur; and PSG College, Coimbatore are some reputed institutions. In Chennai, options include Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), Loyola College, Stella Maris College, Madras
Christian College (MCC), Presidency College, and Guru Nanak College. Across Tamil Nadu, there are Bharathidasan University, Tiruchi; Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore; Annamalai University, Chidambaram; Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai; and Alagappa University, Karaikudi. Before shortlisting your college, check the specialisation options, faculty expertise, infrastructure, placement opportunities, and costs. Also, clarify admission criteria and application deadlines for each college. Reach out to current students or alumni to make an informed decision.
understanding. The game also tries to inculcate an understanding of trauma response.
“Apart from a snakesandladders inspired board game on STIs and a goodtouchbadtouch interactive doll, the Indian market does not currently have a product on the lines of Consensify,” says Sengupta.
Sengupta’s future plans include getting grants and funding to take the project forward. She also aims to conduct thorough market research before launching it. “I am looking to collaborate with counsellors, teachers and relevant organisations to make this project a larger platform for alternative sex education tools in India,” she says. An interactive online game is also on the cards.
“We are grateful to our mentor, Dr. Subhalaxmi Mohapatra, for her inputs and guidance,” concludes Sengupta.
Is there an institute in Hyderabad that offers a course on Immigration Law? Is it a lucrative course to pursue? Prasad
Dear Prasad,
In India, immigration law is not typically offered as a standalone course. It is often covered as a part of International Law, Human Rights Law, or courses related to Global Studies. You might consider pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Law or Human Rights Law. Only ICFAI Law School Hyderabad has a fulltime sixmonth programme in this subject. Check the website for details.
I finished B.Tech.
Mechanical Engineering in 2016 and spent five years preparing for the UPSC CSE. But I missed the final cutoff twice. I want to transition into a career in Data Science. I have started with some MOOCs, but what else can I do? Debatreyo
Dear Debatreyo,
Complete the MOOCs and consider pursuing a specialisation in Data Science or certifications that provide a structured curriculum. Some options are Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, and the Johns Hopkins Data Science Specialisation on Coursera. Learn programming languages and acquire proficiency in Python and R.. Apply your skills by working on projects. Find datasets online and use them to practise and create a portfolio to showcase your work to potential employers. Supplement your learning by reading course books and research papers. Join online communities like Kaggle,
Stack Overflow, and data science subreddits to gain knowledge, collaborate on projects and to network. Stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and techniques.
I have completed my B.A. in English, Journalism, and Psychology. I would like to study Sports Psychology. What is the scope in India and abroad? Saevitha
Dear Saevitha,
Sports psychology focuses on understanding the
School of Film, Media and Creative Arts and School of Law.
For details of programmes, eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit https://admissions. rvu.edu.in/
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The Faculty of Engineering and Technology, JAIN Deemedtobe University, invites applications for B.Tech programmes for 2024. Eligibility: Average of 60% in Class 12 and score in online JAIN Entrance Test (JET)
More information at https://set.jainuniversity. ac.in/jetbtech psychological factors that influence sports performance, athlete wellbeing, and overall sportsrelated mental health. There is a growing awareness of the importance and deep connection of mental health and wellbeing in sports in India. Sports academies, clubs, and national sports organisations such as Sports Authority of India (SAI) hire sports psychologists to work with athletes at various levels. Some universities also offer research opportunities. You could also establish a private practice, offering counselling and mental performance training services to individual athletes and teams. Abroad, sports organisations and professional sports leagues have sports psychologists to work with national teams and athletes. Academic and research institutions offer advanced degrees and research and teaching jobs.
Disclaimer: This column is merely a guiding voice and provides advice and suggestions on education and careers.
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