Two Days International Conference on Innovations for Sustainable wellbeing: Empowering today’s Youth

The two days’ International conference on “Innovations for Sustainable wellbeing: Empowering today’s Youth” organised by School of Social sciences and Humanities, B S Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai and Department of Psychology, Madras School of Social work, Chennai on 12th and 13th February 2025 at B S Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai where 500 participants have participated overall. The chief guest for this inauguration was Hon. Thiru R.Sakarapani – Minister of Food and Civil supplies, Govt of Tamilnadu. Mr.Michael Vetha Siromony, Senior IAS Officer, Former Director Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India was the Guest of honour. The conference began with an inauguration, it began with Qirath, Tamilthai vazhthu and MSSW College song followed by the welcome address done by Dr.Ayub Khan Dawood- Dean-School of Social sciences and Humanities, B S Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology. Dr.Kalyani Kenneth, HOD, Dept of Psychology, MSSW spoke about the themes of the conference including sustainability (SDG Goals, mental wellbeing and Artificial intelligence). Honouring the guests were done by Prof. Dr.T.Murugesan Vice Chancellor, Dr.N.Raja Hussain, Registrar, Mrs.Mariam Habeeb A.R Buhari, management member, B S Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology and Dr.Kalyani Kenneth, HOD, Dept of Psychology, MSSW. Pro.Dr.T.Murugesan, Vice Chancellor delivered the Presidential address. Mrs.Mariam Habeeb A R Buhari spoke few lines about the importance of educational institutions in empowering todays youth. Mr.Michael Vetha Siromony delivered the speech where he spoke about the “Role of Government in empowering today’s youth” and he said it is a collective responsibility as well. The inauguration address was done by the Hon.Minister through online mode where he spoke “Empowering youth is not just about giving them resources; it’s about giving them a voice, a purpose, and the confidence to make a difference. A nation’s development depends on the strength of its youth, and history has shown us that young people have always played a crucial role in bringing about change—whether in science, politics, business, or social movements. He also said that educational institutions are not just places of learning; they are launchpads for the future. By providing quality education, fostering leadership, promoting inclusivity, and supporting mental well-being, they play a crucial role in empowering the youth. And I am proud to convey that our institute is doing all of these. Releasing of conference proceedings was done by Mr.Michael Vetha Siromony. Felicitations were mutually done among both the institution organising committee and the inauguration was concluded with the National Anthem.

After Culturals the key note speeches and panel discussion began on various themes under the conference where many reputed speakers from different states and different countries gave their address through offline and online mode. Few eminent speakers were Dr.Anitha Menon, Dr.Sandip Ravindra, Assistant Professor, SNDT Womens University, Pune, India, Ms. Sawfamina, Dr.Suresh Kumar,Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Chennai, Dr.Ramakrishnan, Deputy General Manager-HR, Parle Agro Pvt Ltd, Chennai, Dr.Suresh Kumar Murugesan, Assistant Professor, Dept of Psychology, The American College, Madurai, Dr.Subashree, Senior Assistant Professor, VIT, Chennai, Dr.David Paul, Training Officer,RGNIYD, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (GOI), Dr.C.Ramasubramaniam, Senior Consultatnt Psychiatrist, Ahanan Hospitals, Founder – M S Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation, Madurai, Mr.Kamalesh Donthula, Head of Platform Engineering, TATA SONS Ltd, USA, Dr.Shamshed, Counsellor,Georgia Crisis and Access line, Ms.Rania Lampou, Greece Ministry of education, Greece. Technical Sessions were carried out in 6 parallel sessions about 75 papers were presented. The technical chair persons were allotted to each sessions from diverse backgrounds related to the conference themes. Culturals (Songs and dance) were done by students. The conference ended with the valedictory ceremony on day 2 where it started with Qirath, Tamilthai Vazhthu, MSSW College song, Mr.Raja Samuel, Principal, MSSW gave the welcome address and Dr.N.Raja Hussain, Registrar, B S Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of science and technology honoured the chief guest and special guest. Chief guest Thiru. Dr.C. Muthamizhchelvan,Vice chancellor, SRM highlighted the importance of AI’s role in enhancing human skills, and how young minds should be sharpened for every challenge they face in life. Special guest Mrs. V.Vijayalakshmi Associate professor, IIT madras spoke on how rhythm of life should be restored by calming our mind, prioritize our roles and have spiritual awakening. Dr Hannah John Program head, Mssw gave complete report on different sessions held during conference on different themes.

Dr S Muthulakshmi, Psychologist delivered the vote of thanks and spoke about the importance of mental health in life. The ceremony successfully ended by National Anthem.

Glow inside out: Hygiene and mental wellness

On November 26/2024 an awareness session has been organised and conducted by Dr.Yogeshwari, Warden- Girls hostel BSACIST. It is exclusively organised for girl students and female faculty members staying at BSACIST women’s hostel on the topic “Glow inside out: Hygiene and mental wellness”. The speaker of the session was Dr.S.Muthulakshmi, Student Psychologist, BSACIST. The session included awareness of how hygiene plays a major role in women’s mental health. She also addressed categories of hygiene, physical diseases and mental conditions associated with it. She also addressed the need of self-assessment and professional interventions for women’s hygiene and mental health. The session included activities related to behaviour modification as well. The session went in an interactive manner and activities for the month has been planned based on this topic.

Special lecture on “Prevention of Suicide among Youths”

On 25.09.2024 we conducted a special lecture on the topic “Prevention of Suicide among Youths” on the account of World Suicide Prevention Day. Crescent professional counselling centre along with School of Social Sciences & Humanities and NSS of our institute organised this lecture for all first-year students.

Dr.V.Jayanthini M.B.B.S,M.D,D.P.M Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist was invited to deliver the special lecture. The event took place in the Convention Centre, BSACIST at 11.50 am.

Dr.Ayub Khan Dawood, Dean SSSH delivered the Welcome address. Dr.N.Raja Hussain, Registrar BSACIST delivered the Presidential address.

The guest speaker addressed the importance of Adolescence mental health conditions and its risk factors. She have made the audience understand the importance with real life incidents. She also addressed the need for peer support, parental and institutional intervention and awareness for effective handling of mental health issues in current world. And Dr.S.Muthulakshmi Student psychologist BSACIST delivered the Vote of Thanks.

Orientation Program

The orientation program conducted on 24.07.2024 for B.Tech first-year students, conducted by the Muthulakshmi S Student Psychologist, was a resounding success, shedding light on the vital topic of Mental health and its importance. This enlightening session provided students with an in-depth understanding of mental health, underscoring its pivotal role in achieving academic excellence and maintaining personal well-being. Participants were given a detailed overview of the university’s counselling and guidance center including its comprehensive range of services, strict confidentiality policies, and easy access procedures. By fostering an environment of support and awareness, this orientation aimed to empower students to prioritize their mental health and utilize available resources to confidently navigate university life.

Seminar on “Mental health and wellness”

Crescent professional counselling centre conducted a seminar on “Mental health and wellness” for final year Life sciences students of B S Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of science and technology on 22.03.2024. Ms. Muthulakshmi, psychologist BSACIST conducted the sessions focused on the non-traditional way of creating awareness of adolescents psychological health, behavioral response and discussions of psychological wound addressal and mindfulness in an interactive way.

Orientation program for freshers has been conducted on 21.8.2023 on the topic “Mental Hygiene for adolescents” by Muthulakshmi.S Student psychologist/counsellor at Auditorium, Crescent Institute campus, Vandalur

Awareness program on “Building and improving emerging adult relationships”

Awareness program on “Building and improving emerging adult relationships” has been conducted by Crescent Professional Counselling Center for the first year B.Tech students on Friday, 12th May 2023 in our auditorium from 3.00 to 4.00 PM. Muthulakshmi. S Msc, PGDCFS, PGDCP, (Ph.D), Student psychologist/counsellor was the resource person for the program.

This was an initiative to make the students think about the idea of relationships and handle it efficiently.

The goal of this program is, 1. To throw light on the facts of unhealthy, toxic and dysfunctional relationship patterns, 2. To reduce the problematic behaviours and thought patterns which arise from their unhealthy relationship, 3. To make them think about how to maintain a healthy relationship with others, 4. To maintain healthy mental health

World Happiness Day 2023 have been celebrated on 20.03.2023 and virtual activities were given to the students, teaching and non-teaching staffs in the college to enhance the positive impact of mental health.

Stress Management program have been conducted by Muthulakshmi S, Student Psychologist of B S Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Vandalur, Chennai during the 7 days special camp organised by National Service Scheme (NSS) on the theme “MISSION SWACH BHARAT” on 19.03.2023 at Panchayat Union Middle School, Keerapakkam village, Kattankulathur Union, Chengalpattu District, Tamilnadu, India.

Orientation program for B.Tech students have been conducted on October 19, 2022 by Muthulakshmi, Student psychologist/ counsellor on the topic “Importance of adolescents Mental health and well-being”

Pre-Promotional training program have been conducted for Tamil Nadu police at TN Police Academy, Chennai on the topic of “Criminal psychology, Stress management for police population, Health and Police welfare”

Motivational talk on Stress Management by Dr Hameed kadar Ali Professor of Clinical Psychology and Professional Counsellor on 25 Feb 2022 at 11 am in seminar hall, office of Dean ( Research)

Final Students of BA English Literature taking up counselling session with Dr. S.Hameed Kadar Ali-Professional Counsellor