Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) organised several masterclasses in February. On February 24, a masterclass on 'Educating Underprivileged Children: Challenges and Interventions' addressed the challenges of educating underprivileged and street children, including lack of quality education, teacher shortages, and enrolment barriers. It also highlighted interventions like remedial classes and bridge courses to improve learning outcomes, build confidence, and integrate children into formal schooling, fostering a brighter future through sustained support.
The masterclass was conducted by Mr. Yogendra Jha, a social entrepreneur and advocate for marginalised communities. He began his career as a Lecturer in Deoghar, teaching for eight years, before serving as an Assistant Director in the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Ministry of Labour, for 12 years. In 2008, Mr. Jha founded the Center for Social Security Action & Research (CSSAR) to empower labourers and slum children through education and self-help groups. In 2016, he was honoured with the Dr. Abdul Kalam Award for his contributions to social service.
Another masterclass titled 'Tracing the Journey of The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016' explored the evolution, impact and future directions of disability rights in India. The session took place on February 20, and provided a comprehensive overview of the RPwD Act, 2016, including its significance in shaping accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment for persons with disabilities. The masterclass was conducted by Mr. K V S Rao, who has served as a civil servant for over 34 years in various capacities in the central government. He played a pivotal role in drafting and enacting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, designing the national web portal for the Unique Disability Identity Project and setting up of National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation in Madhya Pradesh.
JIBS students design campaign for old age home
Over the course of two visits in February 2025, the first-year M.Sc. Psycho-social rehabilitation students at JIBS designed and refined a mental health awareness campaign for the residents of SKSS Old Age Home. Understanding that structured interventions may not always be effective, they instead focused on fostering organic conversations about emotional well-being and seeking help. From singing songs and storytelling to celebrating 36 years of SKSS, the students built connections that went beyond words.
Open Mic Night organised for students
The Peer Educator Initiative (PEI), under the Centre for Community Mental Health, JIBS, conducted an Open Mic Night on February 10.
The theme for this event was 'love, togetherness, and mental wellness'. It aimed to promote love and support in all its forms and highlight its positive impact on our mental health. Through the open mic, the PEI wanted to create a safe, open, inclusive, and creative platform for individual expression and connection through shared experiences about the various forms of love. The event saw 25 students performing their creative pieces which included poetry, singing, musical instruments, Shayari, short stories and stand-up comedy.
JIBS students visit women deaddiction centre
Students of first-year M.Sc. Psycho-Social Rehabilitation at JIBS visited the SPYM Women De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre to lead an empowering session on overcoming internalised stigma in recovery.
Through activities like the Chit Game, Self-Letter Writing, and the Hope Tree Exercise, they encouraged self-expression, self-compassion, and a renewed sense of strength. By creating a safe space for reflection and growth, the session aimed to help participants break free from stigma, reclaim their self-worth, and embrace their journey toward healing with confidence.
Dr. Bhasker Malu's book released
'Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Social Cognition: Recent Advances and Future Questions', a book co-authored by Dr. Bhasker Malu, Associate Professor, JIBS, was published by Taylor & Francis/Routledge.
This book challenges the traditional WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, and Democratic) lens of social cognition by integrating insights from Indian and non-WEIRD contexts. It explores how social perception, decision-making, and behaviour evolve across cultures, technological influences, and clinical settings. The book introduces social cognition from multidisciplinary perspectives, exploring in detail how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli throughout different stages of life.
JIBS commemorates National Science Day
To mark National Science Day on February 28, the Center for Community Mental Health, JIBS, held an awareness event on 'Science of Wellbeing' highlighting the connection between scientific research and mental wellness.
The student community took part in two interactive activities. First was a workshop on "Neuroscience of Happiness" where they learned how the brain processes emotions, the impact of neurotransmitters, and practical strategies to enhance well-being. The other was a rapid-fire quiz titled "Mind Matters: A Brainy Challenge" that tested their knowledge of mental health, habits, nutrition, and brain science. These activities gave students valuable insights to improve their mental well-being and made science easy to understand and applicable to daily life.
Students visit Center for Social Security Action and Research
On February 18, students pursuing their Masters in Rehabilitation Science and the Masters in Applied Psychology (Community Psychology) at JIBS visited the Center for Social Security Action and Research (CSSAR), an organisation dedicated to the education and upliftment of underprivileged children. CSSAR works extensively to provide remedial education for children residing in urban slums who attend government schools from Classes I to X.
The students organised and conducted various engaging activities and educational games. These activities were not only a source of enjoyment for the children but also provided a platform to foster their creativity, communication, and teamwork skills. The experience also offered students a unique opportunity to connect theory with practice by witnessing how psychological principles and interventions can be applied to real-world challenges.
JIBS-JILDEE training programmes
JIBS, in collaboration with the Jindal Institute of Leadership Development & Executive Education (JILDEE), conducted six-day Mid-Career Training Programmes for the officers of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India. The programmes were held from February 10 to 15 and February 17 to 22.
Sessions were conducted by Dr. Sudipt Kumar, Assistant Professor, on 'Performance & Talent Management'; Dr. Vasundharaa S. Nair, Assistant Professor, on 'SDGs - The Challenge of Gender Equality'; and Dr. Bhasker Malu, Associate Professor, on 'Mastering Effective Communication'.
In addition to that, a five-day training programme on LEAD (Learn, Empower, Aspire, Develop) for Educators of Bhutan was conducted from 24 to 28 February.