National Service Scheme

The National Service Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. The NSS Cell of Assam Don Bosco University was launched on 11 September 2018 with the goal to foster among students, improvement in personality, leadership potential, national outlook and a sense of civic responsibility, in consonance with the vision of the university: to mould “socially committed” individuals at the service of India and the world..

The aims of the NSS unit are:

• to render service to the community while pursuing their studies at the university;
• to arouse social consciousness among students;
• to provide students with an opportunity to work creatively and constructively with the community around the university campus; and
• to enable the students to put the education they receive to concrete social use.

Specific objectives:

• to work with and among people of diverse backgrounds;
• to engage in creative and constructive social action;
• to enhance knowledge of oneself and the community through immersion into socio-politico-economic reality;
• to use the knowledge gained in the classroom in a practical way for mitigating at least some of the social problems in the society; and
• to gain skills in programme development, intervention and evaluation becoming capable of self-employment.

Regular activities of the NSS Cell include cleaning drives, fitness activities and community service programmes. In the past two years, there were programmes conducted to instill the value of good ethics, behaviour, group living and dignity of labour among the students, to inculcate the value of social harmony and national integration, to develop the quality of a good leader, to educate on the opportunities available for career prospect and employability. In order to meet the said objectives, the following programmes were organized:

• NSS festival, National Integration Camp, Poshan Abhiyan launch, Swach Bharat activities and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
• Swastyayan… a commitment
• Yoga and Physical Exercise/ Self Defense for girls
• Shramdaan
• Training on Life Skills
• Career counseling
• Workshop on preparation of Curriculum Vitae and to face an interview- two hours daily for two days.
• Talent hunt on various skills viz. painting, singing, musical instrument, wood/bamboo craft , etc.
• Cultural evening by SPIC MACAY, North East Rock Band, Eminent Kathak/Odishi dancer, eminent musical instrument player, Nritya Natika, cultural presentation by the NSS volunteersd etc.
• Sports, Adventure Sports, Trekking, etc.

All NSS activities have been designed to facilitate a three-dimensional outcome: learning requirements of students and faculty, skill development, and attitudinal building. First, the learning needs of the students and faculty have been largely met as a result of participation in the projects. Many of the projects support the experiential learning requirements of the students by providing them space to involve in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating innovative projects for sustainable development. All projects are anchored by the faculty-in-charge and a group of student members that facilitate the involvement of the larger university community. Structuring the projects in this way allows for the expression of leadership, innovation, teamwork and creativity. It therefore, contributes to the attitudinal development of cooperation, and value for teamwork and diversity.
The successful planning and implementation of the projects in a participatory manner allow for ideal student-teacher bonding and facilitates the development of harmonious aspirations and commitment to social change. It helps in identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the students as well as the faculty. Thereby, it also provides the space for working towards excellence, keeping in mind the limitations and strengths of one another. An environment of trust and mutuality is therefore created. This is streamlined into meaningful and engaging relationships for academic excellence in the respective fields of study.

• 213 youths attended the 6 Day National Integration Camp 2019 organized by the Regional Directorate of National Service Scheme (NSS), Guwahati, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and Assam Don Bosco University.
• 603 youths attended the five day North East NSS Festival organized by the Regional Directorate of National Service Scheme (NSS), Guwahati, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and Assam Don Bosco University.
• One student participated in the International Youth Exchange Programme (IYEP 2019) in China.
• NSS Volunteers led the observation of the FIT India Movement Launch in Azara and Tapesia Campus on 29th August 2019
• Two students of Assam Don Bosco University attended the NSS East Zone Pre-Republic Day Camp 2019
• Two students attended the 23rd National Youth Festival 2020 in Lucknow.
• Six students and one programme officer attended the National Integration Camp 2020, Andhra Pradesh
• Four students participated at the Tribal Youth Exchange Programme organized by the NSS Regional Directorate, Guwahati under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India
• In collaboration with UBA Unit, 119 boys and girls were given theatre sessions by the NSS volunteers with an aim to enhance qualitative drama skills of the students and the courage to express and have a voice.
• Over 100 youths participated in a webinar on “Being Financially Prudent as a Youth” organised in collaboration with UBA Unit (19 June 2020)
• 189 people registered for the webinar on “Careers in Indian Army and Para Military Forces after Graduation” organized in collaboration with UBA Unit.
• 96 participants registered for the webinar on “A Foundation for Life: The Importance of Volunteering" in collaboration with Rotaract Club of Pine City (1st August 2020)
• Seven people participated in the One Minute Short Film Competition organized by NSS in collaboration with UNICEF.
• More than 60 NSS volunteers participated in the Webinar on Ending Violence Against Children organised by Way Foundation in collaboration with UNICEF and Regional Directorate of National Service Scheme, Guwahati.
• One student represented the North East Team in the Republic Day Parade Camp organized by the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Directorate of National Service Scheme, New Delhi.

The ADBU NSS Cell strives to create a space that nurtures a “socially committed” environment, seeks out partnerships and resources, and liaison with partners for their support in community engagement projects. The ADBU NSS Cell had operated as Self Funded Units (SFUs) since its formation in 2018. However, 10 NSS units now operate as Government Funded Units.