A Round-up of the Kreaverse
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As curtains draw on September, the warmth of the morning sunshine is accompanied by a nip in the air. Nature brings along the season of unpredictability, where sun plays truant and the pitter-patter of the rains throw in a special appearance. There is an enigma that comes with the term unpredictability that we at Krea quite cherish, because it also brings along new promises and novel adventures. It allows us to dig into our lessons from the past, combine it with our view of the future and pack it with our knowledge of the present.
The echo of footsteps across the corridors is resolute, as our students get busy with their evaluations, tests and projects, while equally contributing to the diverse extracurricular activities on the campus. Faculty members continue to set new milestones with their relentless pursuit of advancing research and learning. Alongside, staff members across departments work with diligence on various tasks and projects. We continue this intellectual adventure with fervour, celebrating the upheavals and opportunities alike.
Each day we find comfort in adapting, transforming and evolving as we address challenges. Each day we find joy, hope, humility and gratitude in our achievements and accomplishments. As we raise a toast to the promises of the future, we also gear up for Admissions season, with Round 1 opening soon.
For real-time updates, please do follow us on our social media channels. If you have stories or news to share with the Krea community, we invite you to connect with us at all.commsteam@krea.edu.in
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Veena Srinivasan, Executive Director, WELL (Water, Environment, Land and Livelihoods) Labs is serving as a judge for the Bezos Earth Fund’s $100 million AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge. She will evaluate proposals that aim to address some of our planet's most pressing issues.
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International Conference on Modern Indian Literatures
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Dr Joya John, Assistant Professor of Literature, SIAS (School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences), Krea University was an invited speaker at the Manipal Centre for the Humanities, Manipal University at a day-long International Conference on Modern Indian Literatures on 23 September, 2024.
The conference proceedings included the release of the new Oxford Handbook of Modern Indian Literatures. Dr John has contributed an article titled, Adivasi Poetry: The Poetics of Indigeneity in Contemporary India in the Handbook. She participated in a roundtable discussion with the editors of the Handbook and other contributors on the directions Modern Indian literatures are taking.
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Abinav Ram Kumar and Tejasvini Karthikeyan, Cohort of 2026, IFMR GSB (Graduate School of Business), Krea University have secured the first place at the prestigious Finance Fast Forward Competition (F3) conducted by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
This event took place on 20 September, 2024 in the Mumbai office of JPMC with over 11 colleges competing with each other. This achievement highlights the finance acumen and talent at IFMR GSB, where our students continue to excel on national platforms. Their hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and this is a moment of immense pride for all of us at IFMR GSB. Congratulations!
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Would you know anyone curious about the undergraduate programmes at Krea University? Here's an opportunity for them to connect with a Krea counsellor and discover a wealth of information on academics, the upcoming admissions cycle, campus life, applications and more. The first virtual session was on 26 September, 2024. The next session will be on 3 October, 2024 from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
Register Now
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Professor Srubabati Goswami, Senior Professor of Theoretical High Energy Physics at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad conducted a seminar on neutrino physics, titled, The Neutrino Odyssey: From an impossible dream to the unreachable stars, on 24 September, 2024. The talk discussed the history of the discovery of neutrinos, the role that they play in subatomic physics and how we use their properties to understand the evolution of the Universe over cosmological time scales.
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On 21 September, 2024, Mudra, the Dance Club of SIAS and the Gaming Club of SIAS teamed up to host a high-energy Just Dance event at SH 1. Students danced to their favourite beats, enjoying great music and each other's company. And to top it off, the best dancers received sweet treats for their killer moves.
Report by Sia Bubna, Integrated MBA Cohort of 2028, IFMR GSB
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On 26 September, 2024, twenty students accompanied by two teachers from The Peepal Grove School, Andhra Pradesh were at Krea University for a campus tour.
Discover Krea, the campus tour is also slated for 28 September, 2024 which will provide prospective students and their parents with comprehensive insight into Krea University's unique offerings alongside an experience of the University's infrastructure and facilities.
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Self-Harm Awareness Training
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On 20 September, 2024, ILS (Inclusive Learning Support Office) in collaboration with Sneha Foundation, hosted a Self-Harm Awareness Training session for Student Services and Operations staff members, as well as Peer Support Volunteers. Sneha Foundation, a leading non-profit in mental health and suicide prevention, guided participants through recognising and responding to self-harm behaviours. The training covered the triggers of self-harm, the importance of early intervention and practical strategies for offering support while respecting autonomy. This session was a vital step in reducing stigma and promoting an informed and supportive community.
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Empowering the Support Staff
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ILS organised a sensitisation session on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment for support staff across the campus on 21 September, 2024. This essential initiative aimed to raise awareness and foster a safer working environment for all employees. The session was facilitated in Tamil by lawyer RS Akila. Akila began by defining sexual harassment, elaborating on its various forms and how individuals can recognise instances of such behavior. Her presentation encouraged participants to reflect on their own experiences and understand the nuances of harassment in the workplace.
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A central theme of the discussion was the fundamental right of every employee to work in a safe and secure environment. Akila highlighted the University's commitment to maintaining a supportive workplace culture.
To further empower attendees, she provided a comprehensive overview of the university’s policies and procedures related to sexual harassment. Akila outlined the steps employees can take to seek redressal in cases of harassment, ensuring that staff were well-informed about their options. She also detailed the mandate of the Internal Complaints Committee, which is tasked with receiving, investigating and addressing complaints of sexual harassment. The session proved to be a vital platform for addressing concerns regarding the robustness of existing processes. Attendees were encouraged to engage in an open dialogue, allowing them to express their worries and seek clarification on various topics.
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Prevention of Sexual Harassment: Of Law, Institutions and Society
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In light of the recent Kolkata Rape Case, ILS at the request of POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Advocacy Volunteers invited lawyer Akila R S to lead an open discussion on the issue and explore institutional measures to enhance safety. One of the initial questions raised was why laws on sexual harassment fail to deter the crime. Although the POSH Act is comprehensive, its implementation does not seem to translate into tangible safety for women and vulnerable groups in the workplace.
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Akila highlighted the issue of assigning blame. When blame is placed solely on institutions and not on the broader culture, we overlook how society enables and even protects perpetrators of sexual violence. When people become aware of something deeply disturbing, they often react by demanding instant justice and stricter punishments. They tend to "other" the perpetrators, believing that they and their close circles would never violate someone's boundaries. Such beliefs are harmful as they prevent us from addressing the root problem and hinder large-scale social reform.
She emphasised that sexual violence is not about sex but about power. Narratives around sexual harassment must always keep this into account so protection can be improved while reducing harm on the survivors. Reactionary policies may even lead to further marginalisation. When we hear of police encounters, movements that fade quickly within their echo chambers, or calls for capital punishment, there must be an evaluation of their effectiveness. So far, there is no empirical evidence supporting the success of such reactions, aside from a slow, gradual change in people's attitudes. While this shift is significant, much more can be achieved.
It is crucial to understand that if society can enable criminal behaviour, it is equally important to explore ways to deter it through social imagination, rather than relying solely on institutions to enforce justice. Demanding our rights, ensuring they are upheld, being proactive and political, and being committed to changing the status quo are essential steps in creating a culture that actively deters sexual violence. While discussions like this are a good starting point, much more needs to be done — and we must act.
Report by Catherine Jaison, Cohort of 2027, SIAS
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Fireside Chat on Changing Gender Norms in STEM
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The first edition of the Fireside Chat, organised by ILS in collaboration with the Physics Discipline, featured an insightful discussion with Professor Srubabati Goswami on the topic, Breaking Barriers: Challenging and Changing Gender Norms in STEM, on 23 September, 2024.
Professor Goswami, a Senior Professor of Theoretical High Energy Physics at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, shared personal and professional anecdotes that highlighted the stereotype that STEM subjects are for boys and humanities for girls.
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She noted that these preconceived notions begin at a young age in schools and are further reinforced through representations in textbooks. She recounted instances of bias she faced during her appointment and throughout her career, emphasising that closing the gender gap requires conscious action at all levels.
As chair of the Gender in Physics working group of the Indian Physics Association, Professor Goswami contributed to the development of the Hyderabad Charter for Gender Equity in Physics, which includes several recommendations aimed at addressing the disproportionately low representation of women in the hard sciences. These recommendations advocate for gender sensitisation programmes for both men and women, the provision of childcare facilities in institutions, and the clear declaration of hiring criteria, among other initiatives.
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On 24 September, 2024, the PSV (Peer Support Volunteers) hosted an event titled Whorls of Wonder, aimed at helping students relieve the stress of the ongoing end-of-term period of the first trimester. The event invited students to sit and colour mandalas while soothing music played in the background allowing for a refreshing break from the usual hustle and bustle of university life. This event marked the PSVs' first initiative of the academic year, showcasing their dedication to promoting well-being and mental health among students. It also provided a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with the volunteers, learn about the support they offer and foster a sense of community
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Corporate Relations and Career Services at IFMR GSB, Krea University is hosting Debashish Ghosh, Senior Vice President and HR Country Head at Berkadia India on 29 September, 2024 at SH-1 and SH-2 on the Krea University campus.
In the first half of his lecture, he will explore the top three skills essential for thriving in MBA life and the second half will focus on strategies for tackling tough interview questions. The session will be held 11.00 am onwards for MBA Year 1 and 2.00 pm onwards for MBA Year 2.
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Sahas – The Adventure Club of Krea University
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Hear from its members and students about what makes this club truly special. Discover why Sahas is more than just a club – it's a journey into nature, fun and unforgettable experiences. Want to be part of their exciting trips? Connect with them here.
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Urvashi’s enthusiasm is infectious and so is her focused aim at realising ambitious career goals. There is ingenuity and gumption in Urvashi’s map of success, the pathway she has drawn to manoeuvre through her MBA life and career of her dreams. In today’s edition of Summer of ’24 Urvashi takes us through her experience interning at Deloitte USI and how she believes this is the apt stepping stone to a stellar corporate journey.
So, what transpired this summer? Nine students from the take us through their internship experiences through the Summer of '24. They recount their journey as they put everything they learned in the classroom to work in the real world, made countless memories, and worked on exclusive projects.
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In episode three, hear from Urvashi Gupta.
View here
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Admin office: 196, T.T.K. Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600018
Campus: 5655, Central Express Way, Sri City, Andhra Pradesh - 517464
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