Rural immersion programme: IT students go to Mundgod-Hangal

The annual Rural Immersion Camp for the final year students of IT department of AIMIT, St Aloysius College (Deemed to be University) was held from Jan 6 to 9. One hundred and seventy four students of third semester MCA, M.Sc.(IT), M.Sc. (Big Data Analytics) along with four faculties – Dr Jeevan Pinto, Mrs Manimozhi, Mrs Suchetha and Mr Aravind – took part in the programme. Eighty seven students were placed in Mundgod villages and 87 in Hangal villages.

At Mundgod, the students were welcomed by Fr Anil D’Souza SJ, Director of Loyola Vikasa Kendra (LVK) and his team. After an initial introduction, the students were briefed about various works that are being carried out by LVK. Then the students were told about the work that they are supposed to do as part of the camp and were subsequently divided into groups and sent to eight villages. The villages where the students stayed were Chigalli, Chavadahalli, Honnikoppa, Malagi, Bharath Mill, Hosakaraginakoppa, Ugginakeri and Agadi.

At Hangal, Fr Jerald D’Souza, Director of LVK, Hangal welcomed all the students and faculty. He introduced all the staff of LVK. Fr Jerald also conducted an orientation and explained the works carried out by LVK-Hangal in various villages. He explained the importance of rural exposure and asked the students to go to the villages with an open mind. After lunch at LVK, students were divided into 36 groups, some having two and some having three members based on the status of the houses where the students were going to stay for four days. In the afternoon students were taken to the assigned houses in the eight villages. The family members were eagerly waiting to welcome the students.

Students stayed in the designated houses and actively involved in their day today activities. Students were also involved in the field work, educating the children and other activities. On Sunday, January 8, Fr Alwyn D’Souza from AIMIT along with Dr Jeevan Pinto, Mrs Manimozhi, Mrs Suchetha and Mr Aravind visited all the villages where the students were assigned and interacted with them. On Monday, January 9, all the students returned to their respective centres and after having lunch at LVK proceeded towards Tibetean colony at Mundgod. After coming back from Tibetean colony, an evaluation and experience sharing was conducted for the student groups. One student from each group assigned to the village gave the feedback. After supper, the groups started the return journey.

All the students appreciated the camp and got to know the village life.