Outcome Based Project for Betterment of Rural Community

In the last about one decade, science, technology and innovation have greatly influenced in shaping the modern engineering education. However, there is an urgent need to take the benefits of science and technology influence to offer practical solutions to the betterment of the society. The B.Tech curriculum of KARE (Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education) is designed to include mandatory one year long course of Community Service Project with an aim to address the difficulties faced by the rural women and farmers of neighbouring community. This study focuses on the strategy adopted and the success witnessed with the introduction of this course. The participants included in the study are 18 engineering undergraduate students. The students surveyed the community with a specifically designed questionnaire to identify the specific problems of the community stakeholders in relation to the social, economic and other aspects. The students through their survey identified the problem of the chosen community as the outcome of Phase I of the project. In Phase II, the students involved in designing and developing the prototype through simple scientific solution. The main challenge is in sustaining the motivation of students to work beyond the duration of the project to bring everything to final shape. This can be done both by developing empathy in the minds of students for their fellow being in the community as well as creating awareness of the many funding schemes available to recognize and support such endeavour. It is recommended that all the institutions should create an avenue in their curriculum to facilitate students’ involvement with the community.