The Department of Social Work at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) hosted its Annual Alumni Meet on November 30, 2024, providing students with an unparalleled opportunity to connect with seasoned professionals, gain invaluable career insights, and explore the latest advancements in the field of social work and human resource management.
The event, held at the FTK-CIT Auditorium on the JMI campus, was attended by over 150 participants, including alumni, faculty, and students from both the MA Social Work and MA Human Resource Management programs. Alumni from the 1986 batch to 2023 were present for the meet. Alumni located in other countries and other parts of the country joined the meet online. It was a moment of nostalgia for the alumni who were connecting with peers, teachers and visiting their alma mater. For the final year master’s students’, it was an empowering opportunity to hear the alumni experiences and to learn how to navigate the evolving landscape of both social work and human resource management.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from Prof. Neelam Sukhramani, Head of the Department of Social Work, who underscored the department's enduring commitment to nurturing socially conscious, ethically-minded professionals and showcasing this through a photographic presentation of Department’s engagement through the past year. She acknowledged the contribution of alumni in every initiative of the department and expressed a deep sense of gratitude on behalf of all the faculty members and students. Prof. Virendra Balaji Shahare, Director of Field Work and Placements, spoke about the importance of maintaining strong industry partnerships and providing students with ample opportunities for hands-on learning and career development. He also highlighted the salient changes that had been brought about in the field work curriculum of human resource management to keep pace with the requirements of the field.
One of the highlights of the day was the "Open House on Employment and Employability" hosted by Dr. Shaad Habeeb, Co- Director Field Work and Placements HRM and Dr. Rubina Nusrat, Co- Director Field Work and Placements MSW & ADPH. A range of alumni speakers shared their perspectives on the evolving job market and the critical competencies that employers are seeking in today's graduates in social work and human resource management. The speakers included Syed Mohammad Yunus, the Co-founder iMentor, Poonam Madan, an HR consultant, and Bindu Tiwari, a career coach, who emphasized the growing importance of specialized skills such as behavioral change communication, feasibility studies, social work research, and project management. Other alumni speakers, including Akmal Shareef, Shailja Ranjan Raj, Sharda Kumari, and Rahul, provided insights on the importance of emotional intelligence, effective networking, data analysis, and problem-solving abilities. They stressed the need for social work professionals to continuously adapt to changing industry dynamics and maintain a curious, forward-thinking mindset.
The Alumni Meet also featured the release of placement brochures for both the MA Social Work and MA Human Resource Management programs. The event included a captivating Cultural Program, showcasing the artistic and creative talents of the department's students through a variety of performances, including Jamia Tarana, Ghazals and Shayari.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Mohd. Muslim Khan, Guest of Honour for the occasion, talked about the relevance of alumni in an institute’s progression and the critical role they can play in mentoring the new incumbents. Mr. Abrar Ahmad Khan, Retd. Faculty at the Department of Social Work addressed the audience by recounting a consistent view of building two careers in today’s time alongwith the importance of listening and human relationships.
The vote of thanks for the event was proposed by Dr. Hem Borker, Co- Director Field Work and Placements BSW where she expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, faculty, alumni, students, non-teaching staff and other support departments for their tireless efforts in making the Alumni Meet possible. The meet ended with a High Tea and Networking session, providing attendees with one-to one opportunity to connect, share ideas, and build professional relationships.
