ZANSKAR: Students of the Department of Social Work at Eliezer Joldan Memorial College (EJM College), Leh, gained field experience in rural community engagement and research during a three-day camp in Zanskar Valley that concluded on Monday.
Held from September 19 to 21, the camp brought together around 46–47 students from the third and fifth semesters, accompanied by faculty members, for field-based learning in the remote region.
The programme was designed to complement classroom teaching with direct engagement with communities and practical exposure to rural social realities.
As part of their academic fieldwork, fifth-semester students undertook research activities and data collection, while third-semester students used Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools to study community resources, needs, perspectives and local conditions.
The students also visited Government Degree College (GDC), Zanskar, where they interacted with students and faculty members. The interaction provided an opportunity for peer learning and exchange of experiences while giving the visiting students an insight into higher education and academic practices in the region.
Community interaction formed another component of the camp, with students engaging with local residents to understand rural life, community participation and the role of social work in remote areas.
The field programme concluded with a reflection and sharing session during which students presented their observations, field experiences and learning from the three-day visit.
The Department of Social Work thanked local communities and GDC Zanskar for their support and cooperation in facilitating the field programme.
Principal, EJM College Leh, congratulated the students and faculty on the completion of the camp and appreciated their efforts towards experiential and community-based learning.
The department said such field programmes provide social work students with an opportunity to connect academic concepts with community realities and develop practical skills required for professional engagement in rural and remote areas.
