The ambitious village adoption programme of Madurai Kamaraj University, under which extensive surveys, planting of saplings and other development works are planned in at least 400 villages, has given rise to apprehensions of its efficient implementation.
While appreciating the objectives of the programme, many affiliated and constituent colleges of the MKU, through which the adoption is mainly planned, have raised concerns about the impracticalities in the implementation, particularly with respect to funds, training and time.
A senior faculty member of one of the constituent colleges pointed out that the questionnaire given by MKU for a door-to-door survey in each village had 115 questions. “It requires at least an hour in each household to finish this. However, we are asked to finish the survey of an entire village in a matter of one or two days. Moreover, when we visit the village in day time, the villagers are generally out for work,” he said.
“Some questions involving caste, alcohol abuse, and women’s health had to be dealt sensitively and no training was provided for the students in carrying out the survey,” he added.
Stating that the university has demanded a comprehensive report for each village based on the survey, a Principal of an affiliated college in Virudhunagar said, “It will not reflect the real picture since the survey methodology is flawed. Moreover, there is no clarity on how the findings would be taken forward,” he said.
Highlighting that extensive planting of saplings was a crucial part of the programme, a Principal of a constituent college, however, said that no funds had been allocated. “There should be a sustainable mechanism to water the trees. The saplings should also be fenced. But both are not done. It may end up as an exercise of showing numbers,” he said.
Pointing out that individual colleges have been asked to source funds from philanthropists or business entities, the Principal said that it was not materialising on the ground.
Responding to the concerns, MKU Vice-Chancellor P.P. Chellathurai said that the concerns were a reflection of inadequate understanding of the programme’s vision. Stating that funds would not be an issue for colleges running self-financing courses, he said that other colleges must develop the habit of collaborating with industries and obtaining funds through their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Regarding the difficulties in the survey, he said that the questionnaire was prepared in such a manner that it can be filled by villagers. “The students can issue the questionnaire one day and collect it after a week,” he added.
Stressing that the community outreach programme was not just a week-long exercise but adopting the village for at least 10 years, he said that it will help both in transforming the villages in socio-economic aspects and transform the students by improving their leadership qualities and other soft skills, who would regularly visit the villages.
“The findings of the survey would be taken forward with the government and banks to seek their intervention in helping the villagers. We would also be seeking funds from international organisations,” he added.