IBW 2024 Conference
Introduction
The India Blockchain Week 2024 (IBW) was held on December 4-5, 2024, at the Sheraton Grand in Bangalore. The event showcased India’s growing influence in the block chain and Web3 ecosystems, highlighting its vibrant developer community and innovative startups.
Key note
India Blockchain Week India Blockchain Week (IBW) is India’s flagship series of blockchain and web3 events, spanning from 2-8 December 2024 – a weeklong dedication to the decentralized ethos in India
endeavours to enhance access to basic services for all
Programmes conducted for service access
Blood Donation Drives:
In its mission to contribute to the community’s well-being, the University also organised four blood donation drives during the 2023-24 academic year, collecting 55 units of blood. These efforts promote health and foster a spirit of social responsibility within the University community, benefiting the underprivileged and improving overall community health. Centurion University has extended efforts to acquire and work with various villages in this area. The ultimate goal of this endeavour is to help local farmers learn more about and be better at acquiring and using sustainable farming methods. This will help improve the farming landscape in these communities in the long term and eradicate poverty.
MEGA CLEANLINESS DRIVE
Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign of the Government of India aims to adopt a whole of government approach to ensure a visibly higher order of cleanliness through Shramdaan (volunteerism) and Jan Bhagidari (community participation). Under the banner of NSS, Centurion University students and faculty have participated in the Shramdaan for Swachhata by cleaning the surroundings of nearby village Tekkali. A total of 30 students and faculty members have actively participated in the event.
Drone spray
Centurion University of Technology and Management offers drone pilot certification through our RPTO at the Andhra Pradesh campus. Additionally, we provide a skill course focused on drones. Students from all branches are actively engaged in various drone projects. The university also offers spraying services to farmers in and around our Vizianagaram campus. Furthermore, we utilise drones equipped with RGB, multispectral, and hyperspectral cameras for various applications, including drone imaging.
Sports Facilities
With the local communities and schools, Centurion University’s sports department hosts a variety of sporting events, including volleyball, football, cricket, Kabaddi, and fitness tournaments. The University understands the value of athletics in fostering mental and physical well-being as well as community and individual empowerment. In order to give its employees and students social and health benefits, CUTM encourages them to engage in sports and physical activities on a regular basis. It directly affects physical fitness, but it also helps children and young people make good lifestyle choices, which helps them avoid noncommunicable diseases and stay active.
On 13 th August 2023, Kabaddi competition was held between Rollavaka and Tekkali village. CUTM AP being a host conducted this game where Dr R S Varma and Narayana, Deputy registrar and Sports incharge is seen with the players.
On September 19 2023, Centurion University hosted inter university sports among the JNTU, SITAM and CUTM AP. The following sports were conducted.
- Running
- Cricket
- Volleyball
- Basketball
Smoke free campus
Smokefree Campus
Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, designates all its premises as environments that strictly prohibit smoking, drug use, and alcohol consumption. This commitment is in compliance with the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) of 2003, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 (amended in 2014), the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Smoking and Health Protection Act, 2002 (Act No. 14 of 2002) (since alcohol regulation is a state matter), and Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which protects the right to life and personal liberty. These legal frameworks compel us to promote a campus that is completely smoke-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free, prioritizing the health and well-being of all individuals. Consequently, our University proudly upholds these principles by being officially recognized as a smoke-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free institution.
Sexual and Reproductive_Mental Health Care
The University requires a minimum of 17 years old for admission to its several programs. The age designates a time when the pupils have transitioned from puberty to sexual activity. They should educate themselves on safe sexual practices to protect themselves from becoming victims of STDs at this sensitive time. The university concentrates on providing high-quality sexual health education to equip developing teenagers with the crucial information and abilities required to reduce risky sexual behavior. The institution regularly hosts topical workshops on how to maintain good health and prevent HIV, unplanned pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
A workshop was set up as a cutting-edge workplace initiative with the goal of raising awareness and having a positive influence on health-related issues. They received assistance and foundational skills to help them grow in both their personal and professional lives. Developing a scalable and long-lasting program model that benefits all contributors and participants was the main focus of the workshop.
Necessity of Women’s Health
Know your Body
Common Diseases
Responding to Health Shocks at Home
Food and Nutrition
Reproductive Systems and Planned Pregnancy
Male and Female Reproductive anatomy
Menstruation
Importance and Methods of Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancies
Health during Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Postpartum Care
Understanding Cervical, Uterine and Breast Cancer in Women
Developing an Understanding of RTIs, STIs, HIV and AIDS
Stigma and Discrimination Related to HIV and AIDS
Reproductive System Diseases and Associated Stigmas
Understanding Mental Health Issues and the Associated Stigma
Substance Abuse and its Impacts on Mental & Emotional Health
Understanding Common Mental Health Problems in Women: Their
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Community Outreach
Comprehensive eye examination and Optical dispensing
Department of Optometry in School of Paramedics and Allied Health Sciences(SoPAHS) has an objective of preserving eye health and enhancing vision. Where in the department organizes vision check-up and screening events in the local community . Vision camps are conducted for
diagnosis of diseases such as Diabetic retinopathy by using Fundus camera, Slit lamp for detecting conjunctivitis, Lensometer for determining prescription power of the spectacles, Auto refractometer for determining the refractive power of eye, several other cutting-edge facilities are also available in the department . The school also has other departments such as Radiology, Anaesthesia technology, Physiotherapy, Operation Theatre Technology, etc.
Community Outreach
Established by the University, the Vision Care Service is a groundbreaking and essential healthcare initiative. Its main goal is to help anyone in need of eye care services, no matter where they live or how close they are to traditional healthcare facilities. This service’s goal is to successfully address the urgent issues of vision impairment and eye health by offering comprehensive eye exams, visual capability tests, and assistance with prescription eyeglasses.Patients can readily receive these services at their homes or in communities where there aren’t enough access points to eye care centers. By reaching out to communities that are geographically remote and economically disadvantaged, the intervention ensures that everyone has fair access to eye care services and encourages the preservation of ideal ocular health.
This effort recognizes how critical it is to guarantee that easily accessible vision care is available. The main aim is to provide outstanding vision care services, which include complete eye exams and prescription eyeglasses service. Promoting general wellbeing and improving eye health are the main objectives. In addition, these camps aid in raising awareness among various communities about the importance of regular eye exams and suitable eye care procedures. Several camps have been set up in different locations, such as Rollavaka, Nellimarla, Kondakarakam, Tekkali and others. A total of 2000+ patients belonging mostly to the geriatric age group were screened and the project has benefited at least 1000patients in the Academic year 2023-2024. Faculty members along with their students volunteers conduct comprehensive eye testing camp every month in Vizianagaram, which has benefitted at least 1000 patients. People with Below Poverty Line (BPL) health cards are eligible for free prescription eyeglasses from the University in addition to thorough eye exams. This project is being executed in collaboration with Essilor. The principal purpose of these projects is to increase the accessibility of improved eye care services for the local community by reaching out to the tribal and rural regions of Vizianagaram.
Collaborations and Health Services
A vital part of Centurion University’s professional education and training program is the School of Paramedics and Allied Health Sciences (SoPAHS), which prepares professionals to provide the community with high-quality healthcare outcomes.In order to improve the general wellbeing and health of those connected to the institution as well as the local, national, and international communities, the university also participates in collaborations. Several well-known national partnerships include those with Susheela Nethralaya, Visakha Eye Hospital, Tirumala Hospitals, Queen NRI Hospitals, Shankar Foundation, Chaitanya Eye Hospitals, and others. The university and Essilor work internationally.
Collaborations
The mission of the School of Paramedic and Allied Health Sciences (SoPAHS) is to become the leading provider of professional education and training in allied health sciences in India. Its main goal is to raise people who are capable of meeting the expectations of the business. The company strives to achieve its goal by providing cutting-edge healthcare services to nearby residents and students alike. The purpose of the laboratory facilities is to use community action learning projects to give students real-world clinical experience.Nonetheless, the School has forged alliances with both domestic and foreign organizations. These partnerships seek to improve students’ practical training experiences and general quality of life, which will ultimately result in more efficient healthcare delivery. The school has agreements and memorandums of understanding with a number of hospitals, diagnostic centers, research labs, and institutions in order to accomplish its goals. The aim of this program is to improve possibilities in several spheres of life. The partnerships make it easier to plan outreach initiatives and creative projects, which help people acquire the soft skills needed to advance people’s welfare as a whole.
Events organized in collaboration to improve health and wellbeing outcomes
Students at Centurion University have the chance to gain expertise and experience in a clinical setting as part of the university’s ongoing efforts to improve health and well-being results by increasing engagement. Through these experiences, students are able to evaluate the general health of the community and increase societal understanding of the significance of access to quality healthcare.
Community health outreach
Department of Optometry with the collaboration of Essilor has conducted comprehensive vision screening camps in nearby community like Rollavaka, Tekkali and Kondakarakam villages with an objective to prevent the avoidable blindness among elderly by diagnosing, distributing the free spectacles for the needy and referring some of them to tertiary care hospitals with which the university is collaborated with. During the last year, a total of 15 vision screening camps were conducted and screened about 2500 patients in the mentioned community. Of which nearly 700 are given free spectacles and 600 are referred to tertiary eye hospitals with which the university has the tie up for further treatment.
Health Workforce Training and Experiential Learning
Centurion University collaborates with healthcare facilities to develop a skilled labor force. Leading hospitals including Apollo Hospitals (Bhubaneswar & Visakhapatnam), Sree Netralaya Eye Hospital (Hyderabad), Indus Hospital (Visakhapatnam), Sankar Nethra Chikitsalaya (Vijayawada), Rainbow Children’s Hospital (Hyderabad), Max Vision eye Hospital (Visakhapatnam), Lotus Diagnostics (Visakhapatnam), Quantum Speciality Diagnostics (Visakhapatnam), Medigo Diagnostics (Visakhapatnam), Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science (Delhi), Sai Sri Super Speciality Hospital (Vijayanagram), Chaitanya Eye Hospital (Vijayawada), Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital & Research Institute (Visakhapatnam), and others have agreements in place. These partnerships between the university and the hospital support intern training by eventually benefiting both organizations. These collaborations foster the continuous improvement and outstanding caliber of the healthcare industry while also producing highly qualified and competent healthcare personnel.
Organization of Events that are Accessible to the Broader Public
- Quality education plays a pivotal role in fostering social and economic growth, especially in the context of sustainable rural development. Rural areas often face challenges such as limited access to educational resources, outdated teaching methodologies, and low literacy rates. The critical connection between quality education and rural development, emphasizing its impact on social and economic progress.
- Quality education empowers individuals with knowledge, skills, and competencies that are essential for personal and community development. A well-educated rural population can actively contribute to the growth of various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and local businesses.
- Access to quality education can break the cycle of poverty in rural areas by equipping individuals with the skills to secure better job opportunities and livelihoods. It enhances income-earning potential and reduces dependency on subsistence farming.
- Education not only enhances economic prospects but also empowers individuals to participate in local governance and community development. Informed and educated citizens can advocate for their rights and drive positive social change.
- Quality education introduces rural communities to modern techniques and technologies that can improve agricultural practices, healthcare services, and infrastructure development. This, in turn, promotes economic growth.
- Challenges in Rural Education:
- Many rural areas lack proper school buildings, electricity, and internet connectivity, which hinder effective learning and teaching.
- A shortage of qualified teachers in rural schools often leads to overcrowded classrooms and compromises the quality of education.
- Rural schools often have limited access to educational materials, including textbooks and technology, making it challenging to provide a quality education.
- Encouraging the involvement of local communities in supporting and improving rural schools can lead to better educational outcomes.
- Collaboration between public and private entities can bring in resources, expertise, and innovative solutions to enhance rural education.
- Leveraging digital technologies can help bridge the educational gap by providing access to online resources, virtual classrooms, and distance learning.
- Quality education is a cornerstone of social and economic growth, and it is essential for sustainable rural development. To ensure that rural areas thrive and contribute to overall national development, a concerted effort is needed to address the challenges faced by rural education and to implement initiatives that promote inclusive, equitable, and quality education in these regions. By investing in education, governments, communities, and organizations can catalyze positive change, reduce poverty, and create a brighter and more sustainable future for rural communities.
- Centurion University Andhra Pradesh strives to continue its efforts to make quality education accessible and inclusive. Access to quality education should be a universal right, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. Efforts must be made to remove barriers to access, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations.
- Improving the quality of education is essential to ensuring that students gain meaningful knowledge and skills. Achieving gender equality in education is a significant milestone, particularly in many primary education systems. However, challenges persist, especially at higher levels of education and in some regions where girls’ access to education is still limited. The role of teachers is central to the quality of education. Investing in teacher training and support is crucial for ensuring that students receive effective instruction.
Hosting Events for the General Public
Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM), Andhra Pradesh, is deeply committed to engaging with the broader community through the hosting of events open to the general public. These events aim to foster collaboration, share knowledge, promote cultural exchange, and contribute to regional and societal development. CUTM recognizes the importance of extending its academic, cultural, and technological resources beyond the campus to create meaningful impact and build lasting relationships with the public.
Public Lectures:
Renowned speakers, scholars, and industry experts are invited to deliver lectures on diverse subjects, including entrepreneurship, social issues, and global challenges. These lectures are open to all and serve as platforms for intellectual discourse.
- Cultural Festivals:
The university hosts cultural events that celebrate regional traditions, music, dance, and art, fostering community spirit and cultural appreciation. These festivals are open to the public and often feature performances by local artists and students. - Community Celebrations:
CUTM organizes public celebrations of national holidays like Independence Day, Republic Day, and festivals that bring together people from different backgrounds, reinforcing a sense of unity. - Awareness Campaigns:
Events focusing on social awareness topics like environmental conservation, women’s empowerment, health and hygiene, and rural development are hosted to educate and mobilize the local community.
Sports and Recreational Events
- Sports Tournaments:
CUTM’s state-of-the-art sports facilities are used to host local and regional sports tournaments, encouraging participation from students, staff, and the general public. - Fitness and Wellness Program :
The university conducts yoga sessions , marathons, health and fitness programs that are open to the public, promoting physical and mental wee being
Health and wellness camps:
Free Health Checkups:
CUTM’s health care and medical department organize free health camps offering services like diagnostics,eye checkups , and vaccination drives for the public
Mental Health Awareness Program
Feedback Mechanism: Establish a feedback system to collect input from participants and the community for continuous improvement.
Adaptability: Use feedback to adapt and evolve the content and format of future events based on community needs and preferences.
Recording and Documentation:
Recorded Sessions: Whenever possible, record lectures and events to make the content available online, extending the reach beyond the immediate community.
Documentation: Create summaries or educational materials based on the events, providing resources for ongoing learning.
By focusing on these aspects, Centurion University can build a robust and impactful community engagement program that not only benefits the immediate community but also contributes to a broader culture of learning and knowledge dissemination.
