The programme was organised by the Directorate of Student Welfare, Manipal University Jaipur, in collaboration with the Foundation for Holistic Development. It brought together all female faculty members and spouses of male faculty members with the objective of creating a nurturing support network for students facing academic, emotional and social challenges during university life.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Chairperson of the Foundation for Holistic Development, Mrs. Madhuri Sahasrabudhe, along with members of her team, Ms. Alka Soni and Ms. Medha Deshpande. The programme was also attended by President of Manipal University Jaipur, Prof. (Dr.) Niti Nipun Sharma; Pro President, Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana; Provost, Prof. (Dr.) Nitu Bhatnagar; Ms. Manju Sharma; Dean of Student Welfare, Dr. Madhura Yadav; Head of Human Resources, Ms. Kananjeet Kaur; Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, faculty members, and senior journalist and television personality Dr. Puneet Sharma.
Welcoming the guests and participants, Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana highlighted the increasing importance of mentorship in higher education. He said students today encounter diverse academic, emotional and social challenges, making empathetic guidance from faculty members more essential than ever. He encouraged participants to become trusted mentors capable of positively influencing students' personal and professional development.
In his presidential address, Prof. (Dr.) Niti Nipun Sharma spoke about the transformative role of mothers in shaping the character, values and future of children. Paying tribute to the mother of Dr. T.M.A. Pai, the visionary founder of the Manipal Group, he acknowledged her lasting contribution to society and the values that continue to inspire the institution's legacy. He urged women faculty members to extend motherly care, emotional support and guidance to students dealing with stress, anxiety and personal challenges during their higher education journey.
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Madhuri Sahasrabudhe shared experiences from her extensive interactions with college and university students across the country. Through practical examples and personal experiences, she explained how timely guidance, empathy and genuine concern from a mentor can significantly transform the lives of young people, particularly those facing emotional distress or difficult circumstances.
The interactive workshop featured practical sessions conducted by Mrs. Madhuri Sahasrabudhe, Ms. Alka Soni and Ms. Medha Deshpande. The sessions presented real-life situations commonly experienced by university students and engaged participants through role-playing exercises that encouraged them to understand students' perspectives while responding with empathy, compassion and effective communication.
One of the major highlights of the programme was the presentation by 13 faculty teams, each performing role-play activities based on different student-related issues, including emotional well-being, academic pressure, interpersonal relationships and self-confidence. The exercises enabled participants to explore practical mentoring approaches and strengthen their ability to build meaningful and supportive conversations with students.
The workshop was specifically designed to cultivate empathy, compassion, active listening and emotional intelligence among women faculty members, equipping them to mentor students with the care, understanding and guidance traditionally associated with a mother's support.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Director of Student Welfare, Dr. Pankaj Vyas, while Dr. Aanyaa Chouhary conducted the proceedings as the master of ceremonies.
The initiative reflects Manipal University Jaipur's continued commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive and emotionally resilient campus environment where mentorship extends beyond academics to foster confidence, resilience and holistic growth among young women.
About The Author
Comment List