Students of Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, observe World Humanitarian Day on August 19. Telegraph picture

The Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB), in association with Concern Worldwide, hosted the ‘World Humanitarian Day Observation’ on August 19. Organised by the social responsibility cell of XIMB, the theme for this year was ‘People helping people’. The event started with a candlelight march by the students. There was also a discussion on various topics ranging from the strengths and challenges facing humanitarian aid workers in India, ways in which ordinary citizens could contribute towards helping humanity. The social responsibility cell launched their Donate Blood campaign and Fr. P.T. Joseph, director, XIMB, inaugurated the software used in this campaign that lists the blood group information of the donors. Chief guest, T. Nanda Kumar, member, National Disaster Management Authority, spoke about issues that lead to a delay in humanitarian aid, and also presented solutions that could help eradicate this problem. Among other guests, Prof. S. Parsuraman, director of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)-Mumbai, Nikunj Sundar Ray, managing director and special relief commissioner of Orissa State Disaster Management Authority, and participants from other colleges in the capital were present at the event.

(Top) Teachers and students of Roland Institute of Technology, Berhampur, celebrate Independence Day. (Above) MBA freshers at the welcome ceremony at Institute of Business and Computer Studies, Bhubaneswar. Telegraph pictures

Foundation day

Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, celebrated its 19th Foundation Day on its campus on August 17. Delivering the keynote address on the occasion, vice-chancellor of the Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism and Mass Communication, Raipur, Sachchidanand Joshi, stressed on the “judicious manner of reporting” to achieve social development. In his lecture on ‘Professional Esteem and Challenges before Media’, Joshi urged future journalists to be more sensitive, honest and truthful. Mrinal Chatterjee, professor and head of IIMC, Dhenkanal, spoke about the achievements of the institution. A newspaper exhibition showcasing a number of newspapers of pre-independence era was held in the media museum. The chief guest awarded winners of essay and debate competitions.

Cycle rally

Roland Institute of Technology (RIT), Berhampur, launched a campaign to show love for nature on August 15. More than 60 employees of RIT organised a cycle rally to spread consciousness about environmental pollution. RIT secretary, Prasant Kumar Patro, flagged off the rally at 7.30am near Gandhi Square. The participants carried placards with the messages like “Save fuel and save environment” and distributed pamphlets to make passers-by aware of the threats to nature. The participants covered 16km and ended their journey at the RIT campus, Valiaguda, Surya Bihar.

Debate competition

A state-level inter college debate competition was organised by BJB (Autonomous) College, Bhubaneswar, on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi Akshaya Urja Diwas on August 20. Sponsored by Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) under the department of science and technology, government of Orissa, the competition saw the participation of 20 students from various colleges of the state. The participants were given five minutes to present their views and were evaluated on the basis of their language, subject matter and presentation. Rajat Kumar Mahapatra, deputy director of the higher education department, A.K. Chaudary, deputy director of OREDA and Santosh Kumar Mishra, chief scientist, Institute of Physics formed the panel of judges. Samrudhi Das and Monica Banerjee of BJB (A) College were adjudged first and second, respectively, and Gudli Nanda of Ravenshaw (Junior) College, Cuttack, bagged the third prize. The winners were given certificates and cash prizes.

Welcome ceremony

Lack of ethics and misconduct by the people at the top level has led to the collapse of several companies world over and there is a need for good human beings in the industry, Arun Kumar Sharma, director (Production) of National Aluminium Company (Nalco) said. He was addressing freshers at Institute of Business and Computer Studies (IBCS), Bhubaneswar, on August 16. Urging students to be aware of their responsibility to their parents, family, society and country, he said, aspiring managers should “think straight, get focused and have a global outlook”. “Academic institutions should find out what courses the world requires today,” Sharma said. Head of the Chinmaya Mission, Bhubaneswar, Swami Sadananda Saraswati, who delivered the keynote address, urged students to think differently so that they could develop differently. Prof. R.P. Mohanty, vice-chancellor of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University, and the dean of IBCS, Prof. Jyotirmoy Mohapatra, also spoke on the occasion.

HR conclave

KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar, organised the second national HR conclave on August 20. Senior officers from the corporate sector participated in the deliberation, the theme of which was ‘Leadership Challenges in Business: Today and Beyond’. Inaugurating the event, chief executive officer of India Skills, Hari Menon, said one should concentrate on the power that is within him or her and advised the students to hone their communication skills. KIIT University chancellor, Prof R.P. Kaushik, vice-chancellor, A. S. Kolaskar and dean of the KIIT School of Management, Ashok Sar, also spoke at the conclave. Shilpi Sampad and Sunil Patnaik