St. Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangalore through the MBA and MCA Departments, jointly organized a guest talk titled “From Campus to Corporate: Navigating POSH with Confidence” for the students of 1st year MBA and MCA. The session was conducted by Dr. Devi Prabha Alva, the Assistant Professor of Commerce at St. Agnes College and a Certified POSH Trainer. The primary objective of the session was to create awareness among the students about the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, workplace ethics, and the importance of safety and dignity as they prepare to enter professional environments.
The session began at 2:15 pm with a warm welcome by Mr. Rohistan Pinto, a student of the MCA department, who introduced the guest speaker and highlighted the speaker’s credentials. Dr. Devi Prabha began her session with the powerful statement, “It is not the violence of the terrorist that is dangerous but the silence of the so-called educated,” thereby emphasizing the need to raise awareness and speak against injustice. She enriched the session by sharing real-life incidents related to workplace harassment, which helped the students understand the seriousness of the issue. A short documentary titled “Zaroorat” was screened, which portrayed the realities of harassment at the workplace and reinforced the need for vigilance and awareness.
During the session, the speaker elaborated on the origin and background of the POSH Act, 2013, the meaning and definition of sexual harassment, and the various types of harassment. She stressed the importance of awareness at the college level and discussed the responsibilities of employers and educational institutions in ensuring a safe and respectful environment. Dr. Devi Prabha also explained the key provisions of the Act, the procedures for reporting and redressing complaints, and informed the participants about the Women’s Helpline Number – 1901. Several case scenarios were discussed to help the students apply their learning to real-life contexts. The key takeaway from the session was clearly conveyed as: “Safety and dignity are non-negotiable.”
An interactive Q&A and feedback session followed, during which students actively participated and clarified their doubts. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Vihitha Shetty, a student of the MBA department, expressing gratitude to the resource person, the organizing departments, and the participants. As a token of appreciation, Mr. Roopesh Kumar (MBA Faculty) presented a memento to the guest speaker. The programme concluded with a group photograph with the speaker, faculty, and students.
The programme was graced by the presence from the MCA dept. faculty Ms. Shruti D (Convener), Mrs. Akshatha Shetty, Ms. Vaishnavi Shenoy, and Mrs. Sweedle D’souza, and from the MBA Department: Mrs. Sheryl Preethika, the HOD of the MBA Department, Dr. Mallika Shetty, Mr. Chaco PJ, and Mr. Roopesh Kumar. Overall, the guest talk was highly informative and impactful. It played a significant role in sensitizing students towards workplace safety, legal rights, and professional conduct, thereby empowering them to step into the corporate world with confidence, responsibility, and respect for dignity.
