The Postgraduate Department of English organised a Sensitisation Programme titled “Supporting Social Justice through Language and Communication” on 28 February 2025 at the NG3 classroom. The session was conducted by Mr Sandhiyan Thilagavathy, Head of Projects, AWARE India. The programme aimed to create awareness of the crucial role that language and communication play in promoting social justice and equity.
The session adopted an interactive format, beginning with an activity that encouraged student participation and reflection. Mr Sandhiyan emphasised that effective communication and narrative construction are central to advancing social change. Drawing on the idea that “Narrative power is the ability to change the norms and rules our society lives by” (Rashad Robinson, Color of Change), he outlined a strategic framework for developing narratives that challenge injustice and promote inclusivity.
He highlighted the transformative potential of storytelling by underscoring the importance of sharing personal narratives to humanise social issues, centring marginalised voices in discourse, and upholding ethical and decolonised storytelling practices. The resource person further provided practical guidance on crafting impactful narratives through the appropriate use of inclusive and empowering language, clarity of message, and credibility of messengers. He elaborated on methods of structuring opinion pieces, pitching stories to the media, and leveraging digital platforms to amplify voices and drive social action.
The Department of Accounting and Finance organised a seminar titled “Effective Writing of Research Articles” on 12 February 2025 at the JJK Auditorium. Held in an offline mode, the session was attended by one hundred and sixty-six students. The seminar aimed to strengthen students’ understanding of the principles of research article writing and to develop their academic and professional writing competencies.
The session was delivered by Dr G. Anitha Devi, Assistant Professor, PG & Research Department of Commerce, Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Arts & Science College for Women, Chennai. Her presentation addressed key aspects of scholarly writing, including the structure of a research article, the application of proper citation and referencing methods, and the significance of clarity, coherence, and academic integrity. She further provided practical insights into the selection of research topics, the logical organisation of content, and the ethical considerations involved in avoiding plagiarism.
The seminar adopted an interactive format, enabling students to seek clarification on various elements of research writing and to receive tailored guidance relevant to their academic needs. Dr Anitha Devi’s responses offered constructive direction for improving the quality and rigour of their research work.
The Department organised a Panel Discussion on 31 January 2025 from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. in offline mode. The session was moderated by Ms D. Arokia Mary Sophia, Advocate, Madras High Court. Six student panelists—Tharika Sri A. J. and Swetha M. of III B.Com (General), Shazia Tabasum I. of III B.Sc. Computer Science, Jeneta Sweety A. of I M.A. English, and Rofeena Fathima A. and Carolyn Stacy G. of III B.A. English—participated in the discussion.
The objective of the discussion was to enhance students’ awareness of the constitutional and legal provisions that safeguard the rights and dignity of women in India. Ms Arokia Mary Sophia opened the session with an insightful exposition on the various laws embedded within the Indian Constitution designed to protect women and girl children. She elaborated on the significance of these legal frameworks in ensuring gender justice, equality, and safety, emphasising the role of legal literacy in empowering women.
Following her address, the student panelists engaged in a stimulating discussion on the challenges that women continue to face in contemporary society. Drawing upon real-life cases and examples highlighted in the media, they explored issues such as workplace discrimination, domestic violence, gender bias, and societal inequality. The dialogue encouraged participants to consider both the legal implications of these issues and the social responsibility of individuals in promoting equality and justice.
The session fostered critical reflection and thoughtful dialogue, allowing students to appreciate the relevance of constitutional awareness in addressing gender-related challenges. It concluded with an interactive exchange between the moderator and the audience, reinforcing the importance of informed citizenship and advocacy in achieving women’s empowerment.
The Author Probe initiative was designed to cultivate a sustained interest in reading among students and to enrich their intellectual and imaginative engagement with literature. For the academic year 2024–2025, the focus was placed on Children’s Literature, aiming to revive the works of some of the most renowned writers in this field.
The selected authors for this year’s series included Roald Dahl, Lewis Carroll, J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, Enid Blyton, A. A. Milne, and Rudyard Kipling. Each session explored the distinctive narrative styles, thematic concerns, and creative techniques of these writers, thereby deepening the participants’ appreciation for the literary richness and moral imagination embodied in children’s fiction.
The programme witnessed the enthusiastic participation of around 25 students in each session. Their active engagement and thoughtful reflections demonstrated a growing ability to read, interpret, and analyse literary texts critically. Through the discussions, the students also gained insight into the social, cultural, and psychological dimensions of children’s writing, broadening their literary and pedagogical perspectives.
The objectives of the probe were to encourage the habit of reading among young minds, to introduce students to diverse literary works by authors from different parts of the world, and to familiarise them with various genres of literature while understanding approaches to managing learning differences in a tertiary classroom.
As an outcome, participants acquired substantial knowledge of the authors studied during the year, developed critical approaches to reading and analysing literary texts, and became familiar with prominent writers of children’s and fantasy literature and their creative contributions.
The Postgraduate Department of English organised the Students’ Annual Seminar titled “AI Tools for English Language Learning: Way Ahead” on 21 August 2023 at the JJK Auditorium. Conducted offline, the seminar adopted a participative learning methodology through PowerPoint and paper presentations. The event involved 35 Part II English students from various disciplines, presenting a total of 20 research papers. Dr CMA Mercy Silvester, Head of the Department of Corporate Secretaryship at Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women, Chennai, served as the adjudicator.
The seminar aimed to inspire students to cultivate a sustained interest in reading, critical thinking, and research. Participants examined the role of artificial intelligence in English language education, highlighting its potential benefits while also addressing concerns such as over-reliance on technology, reduced creative thinking, diminished human interaction, and data privacy issues. Students discussed AI applications commonly used in learning, including Duolingo, ELSA Speak, Talk Pal, Grammarly, and Canva, noting that these tools facilitate self-paced and choice-based learning. They emphasised that AI should function as a supplement to classroom teaching rather than a replacement and highlighted the future potential of AI in mastering natural language processing for more context-aware interactions.
The adjudicator, Dr Mercy Silvester, provided constructive feedback, encouraging participants to refine their research and presentation skills. The best presenters were recognised for their contributions: Helan U and Naseema Begam M (II B.Sc. Computer Science) secured first place; Subabharathi S and Sofiya Mercy N (II B.Com. CS ‘B’) received second place; and Faiza Fathima (I BCA) achieved third place.
The Postgraduate Department of English organised the Students’ Annual Seminar titled “Voices of Transformation: Life Writing as a Social Catalyst” on 21 August 2023 at the JJK Auditorium. Conducted offline, the seminar adopted a participative learning methodology through PowerPoint presentations and paper presentations. Fifteen undergraduate and postgraduate students participated, presenting a total of nine research papers. Mrs K. Swarna, Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance at Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women, adjudicated the presentations.
The seminar aimed to inspire students to cultivate a sustained interest in reading, critical thinking, and research. It focused on life writing as a transformative literary form capable of effecting social change. Participants explored a range of narratives, including Dalit autobiographies, transgender accounts, personal medical memoirs, and Holocaust testimonies, illustrating how personal stories challenge social stereotypes, confront injustices, and foster collective awareness.
The students emphasised that life writing preserves personal histories while provoking critical reflection on societal norms, nurturing empathy, and encouraging dialogue about inequities. Mrs Swarna provided constructive feedback, recognising the depth of research and clarity of presentation. The best presenters were awarded for their excellence: Edith Paulin E and Jameela Fathima B (II M.A. English) secured first place; Reacheal J. S., Hannah Shantha Vilasini P., Madhumitha K., and Ashika Banu A. R. (II M.A. English) received second place; and Rofeena Fathima A. (III B.A. English) was awarded third place.
The Department of Accounting and Finance organised a seminar titled How to Crack Your First Interview on 19 August 2024 at the JJK Auditorium. Held at 10:00 a.m., the programme aimed to equip students with essential insights and strategies to navigate their first job interviews with confidence. A total of 144 students participated in the session.
The seminar was facilitated by Ms Geetha Priya M., an alumna of the Department and a representative of ISSM B School. She commenced the session by highlighting the importance of self-presentation, effective communication skills, and a clear understanding of the job role prior to attending an interview. She further elaborated on frequently asked interview questions and demonstrated techniques for articulating responses in a structured and impactful manner.
The workshop adopted an interactive format, incorporating mock interview exercises that enabled students to actively engage with the process. Participants received constructive feedback, which helped them recognise both their strengths and areas requiring improvement. This experiential approach provided valuable practical exposure, thereby enhancing their preparedness for real-world interview situations.
The session concluded with a question-and-answer segment, during which students sought clarification on various concerns and received personalised guidance from the resource person. The seminar was well received, successfully boosting the participants’ confidence and equipping them with the knowledge needed to approach their first interview with greater assurance.
The PG Department of English organised a Leadership Training Programme titled “Leadher Forward: Fostering Gender Sensitivity and Women’s Leadership” on 19 August 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Seminar Hall, under the guidance of Mrs Priyadharshini, Assistant Professor, Department of English. The programme, conducted in offline mode, adopted the Experiential Learning methodology and witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 88 students.
The Resource Person, Ms Poorani, Founder of The Penn Collective, led the session with a dynamic and interactive approach. The event commenced with an engaging activity that encouraged participants to reflect critically on perceptions of gender and leadership. Ms Poorani provided valuable insights into the structural and cultural barriers that hinder women’s leadership across social, political, and professional domains.
Through experiential exercises and discussions, the session deepened students’ understanding of gender sensitivity and emphasised the need for inclusive leadership practices. It further enabled participants to recognise challenges faced by women in leadership roles and explore strategies for fostering equality and empowerment within their respective spheres.
The programme effectively enhanced participants’ self-confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. It also encouraged them to view leadership through an empathetic and socially responsible lens. Overall, the event successfully achieved its objective of cultivating gender awareness and empowering young women to become confident, compassionate, and effective leaders.
