Swabhiman (Self-respect) Fellowship
Objective
Providing an opportunity to the student to earn and pay for the cost of education and his/her upkeep during the study period with self-respect.
The Context
It is an ideal for the Gujarat Vidyapith to generate the spirit of Swabhiman in every student. A strong component of skill formation and upgradation enabling the student to become self-occupied and would get employed in production work after finishing studies. Production is understood both as physical production as in Primary and secondary sectors of the economy and also the service sector.
The Practice
Modern higher education system world over has been experimenting with this practice, but the sole aim there is to facilitate non-affording students to earn in order to pay the fee and meet other expenses. Vidyapith has revived this practice with its original vision. Scope for productive activity in agriculture and allied sectors is absent today. Some scope has been provided for earning wages with work in gardening, campus maintenance and office administration. It is important to note that the students themselves envisaged the ambiance they would like to live in and accordingly take up the work of their choice. In addition, full autonomy is given to the students from planning to its execution stages. Guidance of experts have been provided to technical problems.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required
The major bottle-neck is the existing mind-set of the students. The conventional mode of financing for education in India is mainly parental or family based. The concepts of Dignity of Labour and Work are found absent. The stigma associated with labour and lack of social recognition discourage students to take up work. Continuous encouragement and counselling have helped students to change the attitude and to take up the scheme.