Institute of Commerce, Nirma University inducted the fifth batch of B. Com (H) in a four-day long induction programme organised from August 17 to August 20, 2020. Prof Udai Paliwal, Dean Institute of Commerce welcomed the guests, students, parents, faculty and staff in the inaugural programme. He briefed the students about the relevance of the B.Com (H) programme and motivated them to study online amid pandemic. The induction programme was conducted on CISCO Webex platform in which Mr Shekhar Bhandari, President-Global Transaction Banking at Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited graced the occasion as chief guest. Mr Bhandari spoke on the theme of Changing Landscape of Accounting, Banking and Finance during and post COVID-19 and opportunities for commerce graduates. He answered the queries of the students about the disruptions caused by the pandemic and its impact on the jobs in the future. Delivering presidential remarks Prof Anup Singh, Director General at Nirma University guided the students about the major differences between the school education and University education. He emphasised that in the University system, the students need to analyse the courses being taught and the prescribed textbooks critically. It will help them in facing future challenges and excelling the system.
In the induction programme, students were introduced to the system and procedures of ICNU by the faculty members. In the beginning the students were taken through the registration process by admission team consisting of Dr Nitin Saxena, CS Karishma Butani and Ms Shweta Trivedi. The Women Development Cell of the Institute conducted a session on understanding mental health and destigmatize the social stigma towards various societal issues. Speaking on the theme, “Mental Health: Covid and its stigma” Dr. Dimple Butani of PGI Chandigarh provided insights about mental health and problems faced by the students during the global pandemic. She explained about the different situations about feeling completely blocked and irritated as more time is spent by sitting and working on electronic devices. There are problems such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Depression, etc. To control such mental illness and not feel sick she recommended to do meditation for at least 10-15 min daily. The session was coordinated by Mr Ashutosh Pandey and CS Karishma Butani.
Sensitising the students on the menace of ragging and drug abuse, the University Counselor Ms. Sapna Bhatt tried to break barriers of insecurity within the adolescents and succeeded in building a safe and reproach-free environment. Discussing various problems faced by students; Ms. Bhatt conducted a successful interactive session for the students. The session was coordinated by Dr Avani Shah. A session was conducted by Dr. Nisha Chadda to spread awareness among the students about the concept and meaning of plagiarism and the stand that the institute takes on it. The students were explained about the measures that the institute takes in order to combat plagiarism.
Dr Nitin Saxena explained the importance of social activities including the NSS and other activities organised by the social club of the institute. He also shared the placements procedures and learning opportunities provided by social and corporate internships. Mr Ashutosh Pandey trained the students on how to use the LMS Moodle and CISO Webex for online learning. Speaking to parents and students, Dean Prof Paliwal, reiterated the institute’s commitment to provide the best possible education to students for their overall personality development. He underlines the inclusive approach that the students follows so that every student has equal opportunity to learn and develop his her skills during their stay at the University. While describing the pedagogyused at the institute he highlighted the expectations form the students. The students were also sensitised about the equal opportunity, gender sensitivity, student welfare activities, and role of students in various clubs and committees at ICNU.