Abhyudaya - A Pedagogic Innovation
July 22 & 26, 2009

Abhyudaya' is an innovative pedagogic offering by SPJIMR aimed at preparing its participants for top leadership roles along with their management education. The project is conceptualised and guided by our Hon. Dean Dr. M.L. Shrikant.

As a part of this project, bright children (called Sitaras) from economically weaker sections are mentored by the PGDM participants and given economic support, with an aim to improve their understanding and quality of life. SPJIMR is the first B-School in India to launch a mentorship programme. Mentoring is an essential skill required as a manager and is especially required at the top level. The project would help in reinforcing the strengths of the children adopted through this project and equip them to compete with the best in society.

The project began in June 2008. 43 Sitaras belonging to different religions, languages and schools (both English and Vernacular mediums like Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati) have been adopted. In 2009, 48 children have been newly inducted into the program and were selected after 2 rounds of interviews, carefully considering the factors like academic performance, participation in extra-curricular activities and the financial background of the family.

Project Abhyudaya now has a total strength of 89 Sitaras. comprising of 44 boys and 45 girls, who are mentored by PGDM 1st year participants. This project, spanning around a decade of association, provides a comprehensive learning platform for the Sitaras through the involvement of Bhavan's institutions like A. H. Wadia High School, Sardar Patel College of Engineering, and Bhavan's College apart fromS.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research.

Through Abhyudayawe aspire to:

• Move from Intellectual Quotient to Emotional Quotient to Spiritual Quotient.
• Developing sensitivity to right attitudes and softer skills. Placing students from economically weaker section at par with the best in society.
• Strengthening the strengths of children till they complete their formal education.
• Build attitude of social responsiveness among the institute's participants.

Various activities that have been taken up to fulfill the project's multi-dimensional objectives include computer and music classes, disbursal of school fees, fees for tuitions, medical check-up once in sixmonths,workshops on various topics, outbound activities like picnic and camps, fun and entertainment through gamesand movies etc.

TheMentoring Programme

Abhyudaya started as a non-classroom learning programme which aims to sensitize participants to the societal needs and problems and develop in them the necessary mentoring skills. The mentoring is an academic requirement of PGDM (two years) programme. It is 1.5 credit programmespread over one year and has begun with the PGDM 09-11 batch from July 2009. Mentors are expected to spend 60 hours over one year with thementees and their family and guide them on various academic and non-academic areas for development.

The mentorship programme began on 1st February 2009, andwas pioneered by the participants ofPGPM2008. With the commencement of the mentorship programme, the 'Sitaras' have shown significant improvement in academic performance. Mentors have helped them discover new skills and talents by encouraging them.

The Handover andMentor-MenteeMeet

The PGPM batch handed over their 'Sitaras' to the PGDM batch for mentoring. They facilitated the interaction between the mentees and new mentors. Newmentors got an opportunity to interact with their 'sitara' and his/her family. This meet provided an excellent platform for interaction and some creative and imaginative fun for the 'sitaras' and the mentors. The program was organized by PGDMvolunteers.

Workshop on Effective Study Habits

August 19, 2009
Ms. Nandini Diwan, HOD - Psychology Dept. D. G. Ruparel College, conducted the workshop on mentoring and developing skills forPGDMparticipants.

Abhyudaya is a collective effort of the MBA participants, Abhyudaya faculty members, the Abhyudaya team, and the SPJIMR family as a whole to empower the 'Sitaras' and help them lay their road to success.