SWSA Investiture Ceremony, 2019

The Department of Social Work, St Joseph’s College, held the investiture ceremony to appoint new office bearers of the Social Work Students Association (SWSA) on July 3^rd, 2019. Mr. Sankalp Mohan Sharma, India’s youngest youth ambassador to the United Nations and founder of Sachh foundation, graced the occasion and inspired the students with his talk on the need to protect the environment. The new office bearers of SWSA took charge and took a vow to keep up the spirit of SWSA and work for the betterment of students. 

The programme began at 4 PM with a prayer song to invoke the blessings of the almighty. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Mridula T, the newly elected Vice President of SWSA. The programme was inaugurated by the watering of a plant as a symbol of goodwill for the environment by the chief guest, faculties, and office bearers of SWSA. The chief guest was introduced by Mr. Arjun, a 1^styear BSW student. Mr. Sankalp Mohan Sharma is the founder of Sachh foundation which works in more than 10 countries towards attaining the UN Sustainable development goals. He was one of the youngest individuals to attend the climate reality leadership training at Huston, Texas at the age of 15. Climate reality project is an international organisation founded by Mr. Al Gore, former president of United States and Nobel laureate in response to the worldwide climate crisis. From then on, Mr. Sankalp went on to conduct awareness sessions, workshops, and seminars to school and college students on the issue of climate change and represented India in various international forums including the United Nations General Assembly. 

Prof. Kiran Jeevanthen explained the origins of SWSA and its predecessor – REACH (Research, Education, Academics, Community development, and Human resources). REACH was a forum for social work students founded in 2007 under the guidance of the then principal of St Joseph’s College – Fr. Cecil Saldanha. Later in 2012, SWSA was born as an organisation solely run by students and elections were conducted to elect its leaders. After the session on the history of the association, Prof. Viola Noronha, the faculty coordinator of SWSA facilitated the investiture ceremony where the new team of office bearers – president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, cultural secretary and two programme coordinators took charge. A group photo and vote of thanks by the SWSA president followed the investiture ceremony. Post the formal programme, a cultural programme took place where the students showcased their talents. The programme concluded at 6 PM.