BEST PRACTICES
Best Practice 1
Title of the practice
LISSAH Community Impact Initiative (LCII)
Supports Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Objectives of the Practice
- Raise social issue awareness.
- Foster service attitude and confidence in students to contribute to the well-being of others.
- Uncover and leverage inner strengths to find new solutions to social problems.
- Facilitate student-led community development.
- Collaborate with the public and government for initiatives.
- Contribute to societal and national improvement.
The Context
The "LISSAH Community Impact Initiative" places a significant focus on enhancing educational opportunities in a rural area characterized by tribal colonies and limited educational resources. By collaborating closely with the community, the initiative offers targeted training programs to strengthen the community's capacity for development. Notably, it is committed to fostering social justice, equity, and inclusion within the local community and extending its impact beyond.
The Practice
Care for the Marginalized
LISSAH College prioritizes "Care for the Marginalized" in Calicut and Wayanad districts. The Social Work Department aids tribal colonies with hygiene education, surveys, and financial support for HIV-affected students. Support extends to differently-abled individuals in Puthuppady Panchayat through events and product promotion. The college distributes aids like wheelchairs, walkers, and sports kits, plus library books for nearby schools. Initiatives include mobile phone distribution for online education, COVID-19 meal relief, and visits to old age homes. Fundraising showcases the commitment, reflecting the institution's strong social responsibility and dedication to community well-being. Care for the Ailing LISSAH College prioritizes "Care for the Ailing" through stress clinics, disease eradication campaigns, and essential healthcare services. The college organizes blood donation camps, maintains a blood group directory, and conducts medical camps. It assumes responsibility for cleaning public areas and ensuring a hygienic environment. Surveys enhance public services, and awareness camps promote healthy practices. The institution, supported by management, staff, and students, provides public services, demonstrating a strong sense of social responsibility and dedication to the community's health and well-being. Evidence of success
- Collaborative social activities in Calicut and Wayanad Districts involve LISSAH College's Social Work Department, NSS, clubs, and forums.
- Tribal colonies in Kodencherry and Vattachira benefit from hygiene education, surveys, medical camps, and schooling monitoring.
- Mentor appointed in Pathippara tribal colony ensures children's academic progress.
- 'Mythri project provides a year-long Rs.800/month scholarship to 25 HIV-infected children in Kozhikode.
- Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre offers services for mental disorders.
- Scribe services provided to Kolathara Blind School,
- Around 50 students annually donate blood.
- COVID-19 initiatives include free noon meals, a library block used as a CFLTC, and honouring health workers during Onam.
- Flood relief activities in different parts of Kerala in 2018 and 2019.
Problems encountered and Resources Required
- Lack of cooperation and unwillingness from tribal people
- Lack of financial resources
- The COVID-19 pandemic created a gap in continuous operation for nearly two years.
Best Practice 2
Title of the practice
The Road to A Sustainable Campus: Strategies for going green.
Objectives of the Practice
- Raise awareness about the role of campuses in promoting sustainable practices.
- Reduce energy and water consumption.
- Promote waste reduction and recycling.
- Embrace sustainable practices as a shared responsibility across the campus community.
- Opportunities for students to learn about sustainable practices.
- Practices such as minimum waste and conservation of biodiversity.
- Pursue self-sustainability in areas of power, water, and cleanliness.
- Foster a sustainable campus culture through collaborative efforts.
The Context
LISSAH in Kozhikode district fosters a deep connection with nature, treasured by both staff and students. The campus features academic blocks, playgrounds, lawns, and biodiverse gardens, blending beauty with functionality. Well-planned infrastructure coexists harmoniously with 0.35 hectares of lush lawns and 7.28 hectares of dense trees, enhancing aesthetics and recharging groundwater. This safe and conducive learning environment prioritizes greenery, offering a balanced space for education and nature.
The Practice
Green Audit
The institution conducts Green Audits, including Energy, Environmental Quality, and Biodiversity audits, using Green Volunteers. These audits enable the institution to assess resource usage, plan changes, ensure savings, and enhance waste minimization strategies.
Green Protocol
Driven by staff and student dedication, LISSAH has achieved a green campus by eliminating plastic, prioritizing water conservation, and utilizing renewable resources. Eco-friendly communication, through e-notices and e-banners, further supports sustainability efforts.
Green Activities
LISSAH prioritizes green initiatives, celebrating World Environment Day with sapling planting. Clubs like ALELA and NSS actively safeguard flora and fauna, engaging students in green efforts.
Miyawaki Forest
LISSAH NSS unit cultivates a ten-cent Miyawaki forest, managed by volunteers—a cherished gift to the next generation, praised by the forest department.
Organic Farming
In the half acres land of the campus, organic vegetable cultivation is done with organic manure from the animal farm. The campus has diverse fauna with seasonal fruits and vegetables grown by students through ALELA and NSS.
Dairy and Poultry Farming
LISSAH has a dairy and poultry farm with different breeds of cows and poultry species.
Solar Energy and Led Bulb Campaign
Solar panels installed on campus help reduce electricity consumption. Conventional tube lights and lamps have been replaced with LED bulbs and tubes.
Rainwater Harvesting
LISSAH implements various water conservation measures, such as rainwater harvesting, tree plantation to maintain underground water levels, and recharging groundwater by collecting and storing rainwater runoff.
Waste Management
LISSAH's waste generation is moderate, with systematic collection and disposal using local government methods. A large biogas plant digests wet waste for cooking energy, and solid and liquid residues are used as manure in greening efforts.
Evidence of success
- Per capita carbon footprint - 0.198 tons.
- 836 trees sequester 295.20 tons of carbon.
- The campus features 0.35 ha of carpet grass aiding water percolation and 0.50 ha for organic cultivation.
- Initiatives: Plastic elimination, water conservation, renewable resource use, eco-friendly communication.
- World Environment Day celebrations: sapling plantations, 300-variety Miyawaki forest, rainwater harvesting, and a biogas plant.
- Emphasis on awareness and training for sustainability efforts.
Problems Encountered/Suggestions
- Demands determined, long-term commitment from stakeholders.
- Expensive, requiring expert advice and resource investment.
- Sustainable maintenance requires ample manpower.
- Insufficient awareness among students and the community.