JIBS celebrates a decade of excellence

Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) held month-long celebrations in April in commemoration of its 10th anniversary.  The events reflected on the profound influence of JIBS in the domain of behavioural sciences.

On April 17, esteemed dignitaries, including Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), Prof. Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik, Registrar, JGU, and Prof. Pulkit Khanna, Dean, JIBS, graced an event to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the institute, underscoring the significance of JIBS’ journey.

The event brought together students, faculty, and alumni to share their testimonials, highlighting the indelible mark that JIBS has left on their academic and professional trajectories. A short film chronicling the institute’s evolution was screened on the occasion, showcasing JIBS’ commitment to excellence, innovation and societal stewardship.

Throughout the month-long celebration, JIBS continued to actively engage with local communities, non-profit organisations and government agencies, making a tangible impact on society.

JIBS puts up a special display showcasing its work

JIBS organised a special display at the JGU Reference Library showcasing 10 years of the institute’s impact and innovation. From interesting books and articles to in-house JIBS documentaries and journals, the collection was a snapshot of the all the work done by JIBS over the last decade. Each item was meant to represent a big idea or an important moment in the JIBS journey.

JIBS Memory Lane organised

JIBS organised a week-long Memory Lane showcasing the 10 years of the institute through various visuals. It celebrated JIBS’ journey over the past decade with photos showcasing its growth, evolution, and cherished memories along the way. Every image represented a tale of perseverance and accomplishment, from poor beginnings to astonishing triumphs.

In Memory Lane, JIBS also challenged the mind and debunked myths with Psychological Myth Busters board, which unravelled misconceptions and explained the fascinating world of psychology. It also explored the world of artistry at JIBS Doodle station, where students and alumni captured the essence of JIBS in vibrant colours and captivating designs.

Talk on sleep wake cycle and pregnancy

JIBS conducted a Talk on ‘From Circadian Rhythms to Contractions? A Journey Through Disorders Related to Sleep-Wake Cycle and Pregnancy’. Ms. Aradhya Awasthi, a clinical psychologist, delivered the talk. It focused on disturbances related to sleep wake cycle and pregnancy.

Ms. Awasthi is a licensed clinical psychologist with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). She has specialised training in psychological assessments and psychotherapy. She utilises the eclectic approach and has particular interests in neurodevelopmental disorders, neurosis, trauma, and de-addiction. She is currently associated with Sukoon Health as a consultant clinical psychologist.

Webinar on Specialisations offered by JIBS

JIBS organised a webinar on ‘Future of Applied Psychology: Insights from Community, Forensic, Industrial & Child Psychology’. The webinar delved into the nature, scope, and prospects of specialisations offered by JIBS under its M.A./M.Sc Applied Psychology programme.

The discussion was held on April 12. The panelists discussing the topic were Dr. Vipin Vijay Nair, Associate Professor; Prof. Neha Khetrapal, Associate Professor; Dr. Namita Ruparel, Assistant Professor; and Dr. Bhasker Malu, Associate Professor.

JIBS students visit State Institute of Mental Health

Students of M.Sc. Psychosocial Rehabilitation at JIBS visited the State Institute of Mental Health (SIMH) – PGI Rohtak. The visit was aimed at acquainting the students with the crucial world of mental healthcare. The multidisciplinary professionals at the institute conducted thorough disability assessments and certifications for the students, highlighting the intricate interplay between mental health conditions and comorbidities.

SIMH is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals suffering from various mental health disorders and offers a wide range of mental health services, including psychiatric evaluations, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy (medication management), counselling and rehabilitation programmes for patients with mental illnesses.

Dr. Sneh Kapoor delivers guest lecture

Dr. Sneh Kapoor, co-founder of Mann Neeti, delivered a guest lecture at JIBS on the topic ‘Psychology from the Classroom to the Clinic’. Drawing on her experience as an academician and therapist, Dr. Kapoor shared with the audience the insights into navigating the diverse landscapes of psychology. She held an interactive discussion on innovative outreach strategies, community-based campaigns and the importance of mental health advocacy.

Vasundharaa Nair listed among 10 defining personalities of India by Times Now and Business Mint

Dr. Vasundharaa S. Nair, Assistant Professor, JIBS, has been listed by Times Now and Business Mint as among the 10 defining personalities of India for 2024. The personalities were chosen from various domains and fields and based on their contribution to the society and growth built over the years.

Dr. Vasundharaa’s citation read, “Her research interests span mental health, climate change, neurodiversity, and care for children, women, and the elderly. Recognised for her expertise, she’s received numerous scholarships and awards, actively contributing to organisations, emphasising behavioural science studies’ crucial role in mental health change.”

JIBS students commemorate Autism Awareness Day

Students from M.Sc. Psycho-social rehabilitation at JIBS conducted an awareness programme to commemorate Autism Awareness Day. Using specially curated fun games and activities, they attempted to shed light on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The first activity conducted was dumb charades in which participants enacted various situations with peculiar emotions not commonly experienced by individuals in those situations. Through this game, participants gained insights into the challenges individuals with autism face in expressing and interpreting emotions.

The second activity was a dart game in which participants threw a ball at the statements they thought were facts related to autism. This activity aimed to dispel common misconceptions about autism and provide accurate information to participants.

JIBS celebrates Denim Day

JIBS celebrated the Denim Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness against sexual violence and victim blaming. Throughout the day, faculty and staff at JIBS donned denim attire, showcasing their solidarity and commitment to promoting awareness about consent. The events for the day included raising awareness through fun activities, panel discussion on victim blaming and self-defense session.

JIBS hosted a panel discussion featuring professors from law and psychology, offering diverse perspectives on consent and victim blaming. It also provided a platform for individuals to share messages of solidarity. The occasion concluded with a self-defense class.

Denim Day is a movement to support survivors of sexual assault and promote awareness around consent. By wearing denim, the JIBS community demonstrated their solidarity and stood firmly against victim-blaming attitudes.

Denim Day originated from a landmark case in Italy in 1992, when a young woman was raped by her driving instructor. Despite the perpetrator’s conviction, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the ruling, stating that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her attacker remove them, implying consent. Outraged by the verdict, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in protest, sparking a movement that spread globally. Denim Day became a symbol of empowerment and a call to action to end sexual violence in all its forms

Film screening to commemorate Autism Awareness Month

JIBS, in collaboration with the Centre for Community Mental Health (CCMH), organised movie screenings at the JGU Global Auditorium to commemorate Autism Awareness Month. It aimed to create awareness about autism and shed light on the experiences of families with autistic children. The films screened were ‘Uljhan’ on April 24 and ‘Lighthouse of the Orcas’ on April 25.

A heartfelt and insightful documentary, ‘Uljhan’ is a JIBS in-house production that sheds light on the spectrum of hope and despair within families with autistic children. Documenting societal misconceptions and confronting stigmas, the film captures the relentless battle these families wage on behalf of their cherished ones. The film explores a mother’s emotional journey, a family’s intense struggle, and relentless efforts by ground-level non-profit organisations to destigmatise autism.

The ‘Lighthouse of the Orcas’ is a 2016 Spanish-Argentine drama film directed by Gerardo Olivares. Based on the novel ‘Agustín Corazónabierto’ by Roberto Bubas, it revolves around the story of a mother and her autistic child. In trying to help her son find an emotional connection, a mother travels with her autistic son to Patagonia to meet a park ranger and wild orcas.

JIBS conducts Masterclass

JIBS conducted a Masterclass on April 26 for its MA Psychosocial Rehabilitation & MA Rehabilitation Sciences students, and undergraduate Psychology students at Jindal School of Psychology & Counselling.

Conducted by Ms. Archana Choudhary, the session focused on ‘Building your Own Practice: Essential Steps for Establishing a Successful Clinic in Rehabilitation.’ It provided a glimpse into the basic necessities and various important areas to consider when establishing a clinic. Ms. Choudhary’s approach, filled with situational examples, helped students to think critically about practical, real-world scenarios. Legal, ethical, and holistic planning perspectives were thoroughly discussed.

JIBS students conduct sessions at Swarnaprastha Public School

The Center for Community Mental Health (CCMH) at JIBS organised a field visit to Swarnaprastha Public School, Sonipat. The event hosted an engaging interactive session titled ‘Friends or Foe, A Discussion of Peer Pressure and Mental Health’, headed by the JIBS student executives of CCMH. A total of 85 students from 9th and 10th grades participated in the discussions and activities.

Through presentations and real-life anecdotes, students were sensitised to the nuances of peer pressure and its impact on mental well-being. The session culminated in discussions on coping strategies and resources. Notably, pre-session and post-session questionnaires revealed a 7.1% increase in mental health awareness levels. The event stands as a testament to the transformative power of education and community outreach in nurturing informed, empathetic, and resilient individuals.

JIBS organises Online Guest Lecture

Centre for Criminology and Forensic Studies (CCFS) at JIBS organised an online guest lecture on ‘Conducting Research with Vulnerable Populations: A Case Study of the University of South Africa (Unisa) and Department of Correctional Services (DCS), South Africa’. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Mbongiseni Mdakane, Lecturer, Activist and Researcher at Unisa.

Dr. Mbongiseni is a member of the Research Ethics Committee for the South African Department of Correctional Services, as well as Unisa’s College of Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee, and is the co-founder of Unisa’s community engagement group: The Inside-out Outside-in South African Corrections Interest Group. He holds a PhD in Psychology from Unisa, and his research interests are incarcerated learning, the pedagogy and psychology of incarceration, social and community psychology.

Vipin Vijay Nair conducts a session at NFSU

Dr. Vipin Vijay Nair, Associate Professor, JIBS, conducted a session on ‘Financial Frauds: Challenges in Presentation of Digital Evidence’ on April 24 at National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Delhi Campus. Dr. Vipin conducted the session on the occasion of a Special Course on Criminal Justice and Digital Forensic for Public Prosecutors conducted by NFSU, Delhi, from April 22 to 26.

Prosecutors from all over India participated in the programme. The topic covered various advancement in financial fraud and the difficulty and challenges faced by the criminal justice machinery in collection, analysis and presentation of digital evidence in court.