Home Science

The Department

The Department of Family and Community Science (Home Science) commenced in the year 1958. The department  touched a significant milestone in 2008, by completing fifty glorious years of fruitful functioning. Backed by a competent team of faculty members the department has evolved into a full fledged centre for post graduate studies in Home Science.  The Department is the only RESEARCH CENTRE approved by the Mahatma Gandhi University for pursuing Doctoral Research in Home Science. 

The department is adequately staffed with thirteen staff members who are well qualified, highly competent and committed. Faculty members of the department keep abreast of the latest developments in their respective field of study by attending seminars, workshops and refresher courses. They function as subject experts, resource persons, consultants and organisers of workshops/ seminars. Staff have also received awards and secured covetable positions.

 Vision

Our mission is the true empowerment of women who would build wholesome families, create healthy societies and contribute to the 

betterment of the nation and the world at large.

Mission

Our mission is to equip, enable and empower young women to lead professionally rewarding and personally satisfying lives.

Courses offered

B.Sc Family and Community Science (Home Science)  (Click here for course outline)

<sup>M.Sc Degree courses
1. Child Development</sup>                    (Click here for course outline)
^{2. Family Resource Management} (Click here for course outline)
^{3. Food and Nutrition}                  (Click here for course outline)

Departmental Activities

The Department excels in all the three aspects of higher education

 TEACHING          RESEARCH            EXTENSION 

Inter Disciplinary Research Fair- ReAP- Research Advancement Programme: One day State level Seminar  funded by UGC on 22nd  March, 2011.  Thirty participants fom various colleges presented their  research papers pertaining to the theme "Science for Quality Living".

Kalpavriksh 2011 : One day seminar on Coconut- The Wonder nut of Asia  in collaboration with Coconut Development Board, Kochi,  conducted on 9th March, 2011.  Debate, Recipe contest and Coco Quiz were conducted in this context.

Combating HIV/AIDS - Youth in Action:  One day State level seminar funded by All India Council for Christian Higher Education (AICHE) was conducted on 31st December, 2008.

Resolving Stress To Optimise Academic Achievement - The Innovative Role Of Teachers: A three day UGC sponsored National level Seminar was conducted from 12th -14th  November, 2008.

Adding life to added years - Exposing the myths and stereotypes of ageing:  A One day Seminar and Exhibition was conducted on 13th  October, 2008.

Maximising student potential in the changing scenario: A two day State level Seminar sponsored by M.G University, Kottayam on 29th -30th September, 2008.

Women's Drudgery and Ill Health-A Human Right's Perspective:  A two day State level Seminar funded by UGC on 9th -10th November, 2006.

Inauguration of Interdisciplinary Research Fair ReAP on 22nd March, 2011.

FOOD FEST 2010
           The food fest 2010-2011 was conducted with  the theme "Joy of Celebrations".  Various Cuisines with festival themes were selected.  A Halloween party with Western cuisine,  Holi the festival of colours with Indian delights and an Egyptian festival with the Arabic menu were served to the guests.  The venue was decorated to suit the festival theme.   Exotic food preparations  were featured in the menu of the three day food carnival. The food fest 2010-2011 was well appreciated with wide media coverage by Kairali We Channel.

 View of the Food Fest 2010

Awareness programme
A talk on Vision and Visual Problems by Dr. Kaveri, K.P.M Eye Hospital, Ernakulam and testing of visual deviations by TITAN Eye Plus ,exhibition on visual impairments, to identify Visual deviations among   students and to create better awareness about vision.

.    Exhibition on Visual Impairments

 Alumnae

The Department has a network of alumnae working under the forum of the The Action Council for Teresian Home Scientists(ACTH).   The members meet biannually to chart out the acitvities for the coming year.  It maintains  a Directory of former students and staff members, to build a strong network among them for mutual benefit. The ACTH has mobilised funds and scholarships are distributed annually to needy under graduate and post graduate students.

Staff Associaton 2010-11

The Department took charge of the Staff association with Dr. Shirly Rachel Kurian as the Secretary and Ms. Susan Cherian as the Treasurer.  Many programmes were organized for the staff  both educational and recreational, making the year's activities memorable.

 Chritmas Celebrations with Santa greeting Principal Sr. Christabelle.

FACULTY ACHEIVEMENTS

Paper presentions

• Occupational Health and Stress: paper presented by Dr. Leena Leon at a National  Seminar  sponsored by UGC  at Gandhigram Deemed Univesity, Dindigul on 25th February, 2011.
   
• Exploring New Strategies in Social Science Research: paper presented by Dr. Leena Leon  at  UGC sponsored National  Seminar at St. Teresa's College on 18th February, 2011.
• Quality Health Care for Better Living: Paper presented by Dr. Shirly Rachel Kurian at UGC sponsored National  Conference at Besant Women's College, Mangalore on 20th January, 2011. 
• Knowledge Of Caretakers On Caretaking Of The Elderly:  Paper presented by Smt. Dhanya. N  at an International Conference on 'Counselling As A Tool For Non-Violent Social Change' at Christian Counselling Centre, Vellore during 4th -6th January, 2011.
• Nutritional Status of the Elderly:  Paper presented by Smt. Shilpa Jose  at the 43 rd National Conference of IDA sponsored held at National Institute of Nutrition,ICMR, Hyderabad on 4th December, 2010. 

• Smt. Susan Cherian presented a paper on " Health IQ - an Innovative Approach through Yoga and Nutrition " at a UGC sponsored State level  Seminar organized by and held at Morning star college, Ankamali on 29/10/10 
• Smt. Teresa Kuncheria was the Co- Presenter at an  International Conference on ' The Green Path to Sustainability - Prospects and and Challenges' organized by Rajiv Gandhi Chair in Contemporary Studies, CUSAT and held at Assumption College, Chenganassery during 7-9/07/  2010. 
• Smt. Susan Cherian presented a paper at an International Conference on ' The Green Path to Sustainability - Prospects and Challenges' organized by Rajiv Gandhi Chair in Contemporary Studies, CUSAT  and held at Assumption College, Chenganassery during 7-9/07/  2010.
  

Orientation courses attended

1.      Dhanya. N  attended an  Orientation Course from  December 1st - December 27, 2010 at Academic Staff College, Kannur University.

Honours and  Awards

               Dr Nisha Vikraman,Faculty-Best Poster award on "Maternal anaemia and it's effect on the outcome of pregnancy" at National seminar on Holistic Maternal and Child Health at Avinashiligam University on 22nd September, 2011.

RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

The Only Recognized Research Centre for Home Science in Mahatma Gandhi University,Kottayam.

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Thrust areas of research

Current problems and issues relating to family and society form the thrust areas of research.

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Research guides in Home Science Department

- Dr.K.S.Kumari,
- Dr.Usha Chandrasekhar
- Dr.Anooja Thomas
- Dr. Ancy Thomas
- Dr. K V Indulekha
- Dr. N Kamalamma

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No. of faculty Awarded Ph. D    -6

No. of faculty Submitted Ph. D  - 2

No. of faculty Pursuing Ph. D   -3

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No. of Ph. D scholars in research Centre           - 11

Number of scholars who were awarded Ph.D     -  4

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Ongoing research programmes:
Minor  project -6
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Completed research programmes:
Minor project - 7

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Students Research Activities
B.Sc. Projects
M.Sc. Projects
M.Sc. Dissertations

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Research projects Submitted and Sanctioned 

• Susan Cherian ,Awareness and Practice of Green Consumerism among Urban Consumers , KSCSTE, Minor
  Rs 9,500/-
• Susan Cherian , Development and evaluation of intervention strategies for combating energy crisis at house hold level ,UGC Sponsored  Minor Research Project , Rs. 1,25,000.
• Shilpa Jose and Subhasree , Food Security among BPL families in and around coastal areas of Kochi , UGC , Minor-85,000/-
• Shilpa Jose and Dr. Leena Leon , All India co-ordinated project on Indian ethnic cuisine , Spices Board,Government of India, Minor-3,00,000/-
• Dhanya. N & Rose Mary Francis , Evolution of disabled-friendly play equipment , Centre for Disability Studies, Govt. of Kerala, India, Minor  Rs. 1,70,000/-
• Sheelamma Jacob & Rashmi H Poojara,Microbiological quality and HACCP of street foods in Ernakulam,UGC sponsored Minor Research Project Rs.85,000.
• Anu Joseph & Rashmi H Poojara,Prevalence and Epidemiological factors associated with prevalence of obesity among adults in Ernakulam,UGC sponsored Minor Research Project Rs.97,000.
• Leena Leon , Computer based intervention strategies to prevent fast food consumption and promote healthy dietary habits in adolescents , UGC sponsored Minor Research project Rs.1,50,000/

New collaborated research programmes

• Rashmi H Poojara , Cardiovascular risk factors among school going children in Kochi , Department of Paediatric Cardiology,Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, ICMR,New Delhi , Two years 2009-2011.
• Dr.Leena Leon and Shilpa Jose , Utilisation and harvesting of selected small pelagics, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology(CIFT), Cochin,  World Bank funded project under National Agricultural Innovation Programme(NAIP), ICMR , 3 years

 Details of Ph.D Completed

Paper publications

• Dr.Shirly Rachel Kurian,  Problems of Women Commuters,  Journal of Environment and Society,  Vol.3  NO.1
• Teresa Kuncheria,   Creating Awareness on the Utilisation and Disposal of plastic waste,  Publication of theProceedings of the International Seminar on the Green Path to Sustainability,International Seminar Proceedings
• Susan Cherian   Creating Awareness on the Utilisation and Disposal of plastic waste  Publication of theProceedings of the International Seminar on the Green Path to Sustainability,International Seminar Proceedings
• Susan cherian   Recent trends in health care and fitness among urban women,Proceedings of the State level Seminar on Health IQ - an Innovative Approach through Yoga and Nutrition,State level seminar proceedings
• Rosemary Francis, Development and evaluation of an electronic information package on Rain water harvesting,Journal of Environment and Society-Vol.3, No.1, Oct 2010  Vol.3, No:1 October 2010,National level
  
• Dhanya. N,Social Inclusion of underprivileged children,NAVTIKA - Journal of Early Childhood Care and Education, X, 2, 2010 May
• Dhanya. N,,Knowlege of caretakers on caregiving of elderly-Counselling as a tool for non violent social change,Souvenir of International conference organised by Christian ounselling Centre, Vellore.
• Shilpa Jose,Feasibility Study of a Geriatric Nutritional Assessment Tool,(Abstract)  Dietetics-Widening Horizons-Souvenir and abstracts of 43 rd Annual Conference of IDA   
• Dr.Leena Leon,Dealing with stress ,  Journal of  Management Research, vol:1  No:1/ National
  Dr.Leena Leon,Fast food  consumption preferences and practices of adolescent girls in Ernakulam.(Abtract),Processed foods 2011-A trend beyond boundaries,Proceedings of National Seminar Organised by MOP Vaishnav College,Madras.(11th-12th Feb 2011)
• Dr.Leena Leon, Nutritional  profile of IT professionals in Ernakulam and Calicut  and their stress assessment.Occupational health and stressProceedings of , National Seminar Organised by Gandhigram Rural Institute -Deemed University,Gandhigram.(25tt-26th Feb 2011)
  
• Subhashree.S ,Prebiotics:Its impact on colonic function of constipated elderly  International Journal of Current Research,ISSN: 0975-833X, Vol. 9, pp.020-024, October, 2010 
  
• Subhashree.S,Synbiotics and its effect on colonic function of constipated elderly  Proceedings of Kerala Women's Science Congress.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES 

TROP-  TERESIAN RURAL OUTREACH PROGRAMME

The TROP program was conducted on 26th November 2010 at St. Marys Vallarpadom School for the students of Standard VIII. The programme started with a prayer song and the theme presentation Health in our Hands by students of III Dc Home Science students followed by the following programmes-

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- Puppet show
- A folk song
- An interactive session d using a specimen model of  FOOD PYRAMID
- A sample diet was also displayed to show the quantity difference in Boys and girls of 13 yrs of age. The  sample  diet displayed was for breakfast, lunch, smacks and Dinner.
- Demonstration of protein rich nutritious snack
- Exhibition of charts, posters ,models and specimens  displaying  different sources of nutrients, problems of under nutrition, over nutrition and deficiency diseases. The exhibition ended with Height and weight measurement of the students.

TROP- I

The TROP was conducted at Vallarpadam Parish  on 21st march 2011 by the II M Sc Food and Nutrition students. 55 mothers were made aware of the Nutrition for Children and Adolescents. Folders on the same were prepared and distributed, healthy recipes were demonstrated and seeds for kitchen gardening were also distributed. On the whole it was a half day session

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TROP -II

^{Dr. Razeena Padmam delivering a talk on Adolescent Mental Health as part of TROP}

Photos of TROP

Electronic Learning Packages developed by students

Awareness Programmes

• A Parental Awareness Class on Behaviour Problems in Children at Ravipuram Anganwadi was conducted to make the parents aware of the different behaviour problems in children and the ways of handling them and also to give the students hands on experience in conducting community based programmes.
  
• An awareness class on Effective Parenting was conducted on 14th Jan 2011 at St. Teresa's Nursery school,  to educate parents on better parenting techniques 
  
• An awareness class on Health and Nutrition was conducted on 26-11-2010 at St. Marys School Vallarpadam,  to create awareness on Health and Nutrition among the VIII Std students of the school
  
• An awareness class for Increasing Health Quotient on Osteoporosis among Pre Menopousal Women was conducted on     5th dec10 at Reena Memorial Special School, Chittoor, to educate women to combat osteoporosis. 
  
• An Education Programme on Wealth from waste and Energy management was conducted on     9/3/2011 at Darsana Kudumbasree, Nettoor, Ernakulam, to create awareness among rural Homemakers 
  
• An awareness programme on Household Energy Conservation Techniques was conducted on 20-3-2011 at St. Francis L.P. School, Puthiyakavu, Tripunithura, to create awareness on household energy conservation and management.
  
• An awareness programme on Nutrition for School Going Children and Adolescents was conducted on   21-3-2011 at  St. Marys Parish, Vallarpadam, to make mothers aware about nutritional concerns of adolescents and to initiate sustainable development in health through promotion of kitchen gardens, to give the students hands on experience in conducting community based programmes.
  
• Ergonomical Assessment Of Domestic Activities by II MSc. FRM as part of III Semester Ergonomics Practicals - Identification of postural  defects and fatigue causants and suggest necessary corrections Development of guidelines for ergonomical working techniques 
  
• A talk on Vision and Visual Problems by Dr. Kaveri, K.P.M Eye Hospital, Ernakulam and testing of visual deviations by TITAN Eye Plus ,exhibition on visual impairments, to identify Visual deviations among   students and to create better awareness about vision.
  

^{Student achievements and awards}

^{B Sc Home Science
          Irank -Sarawathy P.S
       III rank -Jyothi.S}

^{M Sc. Child Development
           I rank -Iasuklang Lyngdoh
           II rank-Ibansiedor Nongbet
         III rank -RekhaR.K.}

^{M Sc. Family Resource  Management    
           I rank -Sneha Subhash Chandran
           IIrank -Salmath Bindiya
         III rank -Elizabeth Philip}

^{M Sc. Food & Nutrition
            I rank  -Vidya Vijayan
          II rank  - Rabeena A.
         III rank  - Diophica Pyngrope}

^{hsc@mail.teresas.ac.in}

^{0484- 2380691}