Objectives:
Conduct programmes tailored to the needs of the university youth; help them develop leadership and other skills, and understand the importance of team work
Member Involvement:
- Out-station Leadership Training camp for FS Executive Committee members
- Program Planning camp for FS members to expose them to techniques useful for various FS activities
- Talks and discussions by various faculty on relevant issues
Frequency / Location:
Annual Leadership camp at outside location; two talks a month at FS campus
Activities for FS members who are university students:
Started in 1970, this group organizes a range of talks on varied topics, such as religion, communication skills, wild life conservation, time management, etc. presented by experts from various fields. The members are exposed in a tangible way to the concepts of self, personality, dynamic living and other issues. Several senior FS members have spoken about their own academic disciplines such as Geology, Nutrition, Medicine, Surgery and Engineering.
The out-of-station camps for members help them learn about leadership roles and planning in support of various FS activities. These two-day (weekend) camps are include sessions and exercises on various topics such as teamwork activities, FS activities, and future programs for FS, effective leadership for groups, how to write reports, document events, etc. These sessions not only help with self-development for members but also help benefit FS. At the camps, besides, learning, they have fun as well.
For university students who are not members of FS, there are two activities:
(1) Interview Clinics are organized for those in the final year of studies. The day long program includes sessions where they are shown how to write good CVs and how to fill out application forms, they participate in group discussions on provocative topics, and so on. The highlight of the program is facing an interview panel comprising of senior executives from the industry and the University Faculty. After the mock interviews, the panelists give feedback to each student on their strengths and weaknesses. This activity helps the students gain self- confidence for job interviews in the future.
(2) In the “Trip Around the Town” (TATT) program, new students from outside Vadodara and living in hostels, are taken on a day long bus trip around the city to familiarize them with the key parts of the M.S. University and Vadodara. It also gives them an opportunity to get acquainted with activities of Friends Society and make new friends. On an average, 40 – 50 students take advantage of this activity every year.