Capacity building and Extension Programs Committee conducts activities both on and off campus for the benefit of society for a better environment to live in.
Apart from teaching students about their field of interest, the college strives to groom students for the real world. Whether they wish to pursue further studies or move into the workforce, there are several talks and training programs organized to help shape students for the future. The college has a dedicated career guidance and placement committee instituted for this sole purpose
The years a student spends in college is crucial to his overall development. The cultural committee provides a perfect platform to learn, respect, understand and exchange different cultures. The aim of the committee is to create an environment that encourages the overall education and helps create multi-talented individuals.
As part of its 'Preventive System' Don Bosco College lays its emphasis on Reason for the holistic development of a student.
To ensure that performance is at its best, we follow a process of obtaining regular feedback from students, teachers and other stakeholders with the intention of attaining higher standards in everything we do.
The Examination Committee is responsible for the smooth conduct of examinations. Under the guidance of the Principal, the Examination Chief Conductor, the committee meticulously plans and executes the examinations according to Goa University guidelines.
Extension Programmes are meant to benefit society and allow students an opportunity to extend their support and assistance to the outer society.
ID cards give a sense of identity and belonging to each student. ID Cards help to identify and control access for currently enrolled students. Students who are active can easily gain access to the buildings, locker rooms, library, auditorium, parking areas, and other facilities while those who are not enrolled at the campus cannot. ID cards contain important information that is vital in an emergency like the emergency contact information and the blood group.
The Vishaka Guidelines
The Vishaka guidelines were a set of guidelines that were intended to protect women at the workplace. These guidelines were instituted by the Supreme Court of India in the year 1997. The landmark judgment stated that every instance of sexual harassment is a violation of “Fundamental Rights” of equality under Article 14, right against sex-based discrimination under Article 15, right to work of women under Article 19 (1) (g) and right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the constitution of India. Another Supreme Court Judgment in January 1999 (Apparel Export Promotion Council vs. Chopra) has stated that sexually harassing behaviour “needs to be eliminated as there is no compromise on such violations”.
These are procedural in nature and state the method that is to be followed while dealing with cases related to the sexual harassment of women.
Features of the Vishaka guidelines
The main ingredients of the guidelines issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India are elucidated as follows.
Definition of Sexual Harassment
The guidelines issued by the Supreme Court widens the meaning and scope of sexual harassment. It defines sexual harassment as an unwanted sexual determination which is directly or impliedly intended to cause the following:
1. Physical contact or advances.
2. A demand or request for sexual favours.
3. Sexually coloured remarks.
4. Showing pornography.
5. Any other unwelcome conduct whether it is physical, verbal or non-verbal.
Provide a safer working environment
It is the duty of each employer to provide a safe working environment for each and every employee working in the organisation to grow and prosper. This involves taking adequate steps towards protecting the interest of the women employees and ensuring that none of the employees indulge in the practice of sexual harassment. Appropriate disciplinary action must be taken by the employer if any case regarding sexual harassment or ill-treatment of a woman employee is found.
Duty of the employer to file a complaint
The guidelines also lay down the obligation of the employer to file a complaint if the conduct towards an employee amount to a criminal offence which is punishable under the Indian Penal Code/Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita. The employer needs to initiate an action and ensure that the witnesses are not further victimised.
Complaint redressal committee
The guidelines make it mandatory for all organisations to set up a complaint redressal committee (ICC) in order to ensure that the complaints of the employees are dealt with properly and suitable action is taken in response to such a complaint.
Employer to assist the employee if she is sexually harassed
If the employee is sexually harassed or tortured by a third party, like in the case of Bhanwari Devi, an employer should assist the employee in every possible manner. This was not the case in the Bhanwari Devi case where the employer denied all responsibilities and did not assist Bhanwari Devi in attaining justice.
The guidelines provide that the employers are required to assist the employees in terms of both preventive actions and support to these victims.
Duty of employer to spread awareness
It is also the duty of the employer to spread awareness in his organisation with regard to the matters pertaining to sexual harassment and the safety of women. This can be done by notifying the employees time as well as conducting workshops and devising other interactive ways to make the female employees aware of their rights.
Duty of government to widen the scope of these guidelines
The guidelines also urge the centre and the state government to pass the necessary legislation so as to ensure that the private sector is also bound by these guidelines. This would help in the growth and prosperity of the women as well as the nation as a whole.
The Vishaka guidelines were later on replaced by The Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The new Act passed in 2013 broadens the definition of aggrieved women to involve women of all age, in order to suit the modern-day conditions. It also broadens the scope of the term workplace which was earlier limited only to the traditional office set-up.
Conclusion
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of our country and must be protected and respected in every instance. The fundamental rights of equality and personal liberty should be protected and the citizens of our country should not be discriminated against on any grounds. Hence, it is legal as well as a moral duty to provide a safer work environment for women to prosper.
The Vishaka guidelines are a set of guidelines that were instituted by the Supreme Court of India to ensure the safety of women at workplaces and lays down the guidelines for dealing with the cases that are related to sexual harassment at the workplace. The Bhanwari Devi case is the most significant landmark case in the history of cases involving sexual harassment of women.
The Vishaka guidelines is a pioneering step taken to ensure the safety of women. According to the guidelines, the employers of the organisations are responsible to take preventive actions to stop sexual harassment at workplaces and to file a complaint if such Act is found to have happened with the employee.
This would ensure that the women who are sexually harassed get the required support in terms of money from their employers so that they are able to file a case in the court and be represented by competent lawyers.
Vishaka guidelines have now been superseded by the Sexual Harassment of women at the workplace (prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act, 2013. However, the Vishaka guidelines are the most significant set of guidelines which are believed to have helped in the development of the Act of 2013.
The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) was established in September 2020 with the main objective of developing a quality system that ensures consistent improvement in the performance of the institution.
The IQAC works to ensure that the college adheres to a certain standard of excellence in all of its academic pursuits. The IQAC seeks to organise and cultivate a spirit of enquiry in teachers and students thereby upholding the vision of developing lifelong learners.
Library is a springboard to the future. The more you spend time in it today, the more you will benefit later. Our vast library has thousands of books for you to read, to study, to research and have an extra edge over the others. It is also a place for ideation, planing and execution. Relax as you read and enjoy the friendship of your favourite authors.
Every human being has a potential to grow and progress in life with good values and virtues. The committee is focused on inculcating these values and virtues in all students. The committee understands the need to strengthen spirituality and develop inner peace in order to help students live a more balanced life and become stronger, conscientious and caring individuals in society.
'The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but how it thinks.' The literary committee of Don Bosco College plays an active role in encouraging students to delve into the literary arts not only to better their knowledge of it but also to get them to analyse, think critically and thereafter express themselves when they get an opportunity to do so.
Mass media is one of the most powerful tools of communication in current times. Since the student's life at Don Bosco College is eventful and memorable, these memories are captured, preserved and shared with the world. The Media and Publicity Committee is the link between the college and the media world.
Meteora is an annual inter-collegiate event hosted by the College. Meteora is a platform where students showcase their talents in various aspects. Every year the committee has a theme-based event.
The Newsletter, Bosco Beats, is a printed copy of news reports and developments concerning the activities that take place during each quarter of the year.
Attention to detail is a very important facet of any institution. In a college having so many students, it is important that details are not forgotten. That's why, we have an accomplished faculty designated as the Nodal Officer of the college.
Parents, Students and the Teachers are the key stakeholders of the college educational process. The Parent Teacher Association therefore has a vital role in the peaceful and efficient running of the college. All the parents and the Teachers are members of this association. The Parents are called for meetings which gives them an opportunity to interact with the teachers and the teachers to get to know a bit of their family background and study environment at home which helps them to assess their personal and academic growth.
Ragging is a menace that hinders academic progress as well as the social and personal growth of students. Ragging is not permitted on campus and the committee does everything in its power to prevent it from happening.
Don Bosco College stands for equality and fairness. Any form of violence, sexual harassment and exploitation is an offence punishable by the law. This committee addresses all cases that fall under this category.
Don Bosco campus has always been associated with sports. With excellent sports resources available on campus like football grounds, basket ball court, tennis court, badminton court, the Oratory, the clubhouse etc. the college supports and encourages sports talent on campus through various sports activities, competition and events.
This committee is formed with aim of overall development of students. This committee intends to provide support to student development programmes, counselling for students, cocurricular activities and many more.
The Student Welfare and Redressal Committee promotes an inclusive environment for students of all backgrounds and cultures and also addresses and resolves grievances. It is a means by which a student who believes that he/she has been treated unfairly with respect to his/her academic or administrative affairs or is has been discriminated against can receive redressal. It is a device to settle a problem. It involves a process of investigation in which the Student's Grievance Cell enquires and analyses the nature and pattern of the grievances in a strictly confidential manner. Matters are disclosed only to those who have a legitimate role in resolving the matter. Emphasis on procedural fairness has been given with a view to the right to be heard and right to be treated without bias.
Procedure to follow:
The GRC shall follow the principles of natural justice while redressing the grievances of students.
Level 1: Staff Level
In the first level, the aggrieved may discuss the issue with the staff concerned within 5 days of the event. This informal process aims at resolving the grievance at a lower level, wherever feasible.
Level 2: Departmental Grievance Redressal Cell (DGRC)
This is a formal level wherein, in case the aggrieved is not satisfied with the outcome of Staff Level, she/he may approach the Grievance Redressal Cell (GRC) by filling the online form here - https://forms.gle/SA8ACNHLRX84aPjw9 within 10 days of the event.
The same will be forwarded to the concerned Departmental Grievance Redressal Cell (DGRC). The Head of the department along with the members of the GRC shall resolve, where possible, the grievance and notify all parties (student, faculty involved, GRC) in writing. The redressal report shall be submitted to the Principal within 15 days from the date of grievance reported.
Level 3: College Grievance Redressal Cell (CGRC)
In case of inter-department grievance, the GRC forwards the request for redressal to the CGRC or if the grievance is not resolved at DGRC level, the aggrieved student may approach the CGRC within 10 days after receiving the report from DGRC. The CGRC, which includes the Principal, Department Heads and members of the GRC shall then investigate the issue within 15 days from date of reporting. The CGRC shall submit the report to the College Director within 15 instructional days from the date of grievance reported and shall provide the copy of the report to the aggrieved students.
The Women's Cell is constituted to help maintain a harmonious atmosphere at the institute, to enable women to pursue their work/ studies with dignity and reassurance. The committee promotes a sense of equality on the campus giving women equal opportunities to excel in their own fields. This generates a sense of confidence in women making them more outspoken and productive thereby helping the community progress.
