Experiential Learning

This year the Rural Immersion Program took place in Ranwad village, Nashik district, from April 1st to 5th. This initiative, led by Associate Dean (External Affairs) Dr. Swati Bankar and coordinated by Dr. Renuka Deshmukh, involved 36 female students from SY BBA Division F, accompanied by two female faculty members. The programme aimed to enhance students' sensitivity to rural issues through immersive, experiential learning experiences.

Some of the assignments that MIT-WPU UG students had undertaken during this rural immersion visit were :

• Youth Opportunity Assessment : Students analysed the gap in opportunities for village youth.
• Financial and Digital Inclusion : Understanding how rural communities access financial and digital resources.
• Women's Workload Analysis : Assessing the daily workload of rural women’s health.
• Public Health Insights : Findings on malnutrition and open defecation were shared with local administration to help them plan state interventions.

Community Engagement Activities

Students actively engaged with the local community through :

• Household Surveys : Understanding the socio-economic dynamics of villagers.
• School Activities : Students visited two schools, and conducted activities like Quiz, colour competition, awareness sessions on Menstruation, good touch/bad touch, career opportunities, and women empowerment.
• Post Office Visit : Learned about the postal services and also recommended improvements.
• Meetings with Village Leaders : Students had a meeting with the Sarpanch of the village where she provided information about a water storage project that addresses water scarcity.

Agricultural and Environmental Contributions

Students also visited farms to understand the agricultural process undertaken and also provided suggestions about modern technologies / funding schemes / digital apps provided by the Government of India to enhance agricultural development. They also conducted Swachata Abhiyaan (cleanliness drive) in the village to promote hygiene and cleanliness.

Cultural Exploration

The programme included visits to local temples and gurudwara, enriching students' understanding of rural culture and heritage of India.

The Rural Immersion Program is a transformative experience that hones critical thinking, community awareness, problem-solving skills, and empathy. By connecting classroom knowledge with real-world challenges, it prepares students to become socially conscious leaders who can contribute meaningfully to society.

This initiative exemplifies MIT-WPU's mission to bridge "India" with "Bharat," fostering holistic education that creates impactful change at the grassroots level.