Socio- Economically Disadvantaged Group Cell (SEDG)

SOCIO-ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED GROUPS (SEDGs) CELL

JMF’s Vande Mataram College of Arts, Commerce & Science

1. About the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) Cell

The Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) Cell of JMF’s Vande Mataram College of Arts, Commerce & Science is established to promote inclusive, equitable, accessible, and quality higher education for students belonging to socio-economically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.

The Cell aims to address educational, social, economic, linguistic, geographical, and accessibility-related barriers that may affect students' admission, academic participation, progression, and overall development.

The Cell functions in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the University Grants Commission's Guidelines to Provide Equitable Opportunity for Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups in Higher Educational Institutions, 2024.

It focuses on promoting equal opportunities and facilitating appropriate academic support, mentoring, scholarships, financial assistance, accessibility measures, counselling referrals, skill development, and student welfare initiatives.

The Cell works in coordination with the Equal Opportunity Cell, Scholarship Committee, Student Welfare Committee, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), academic departments, and other relevant institutional bodies while respecting their independent responsibilities.

Through systematic planning, inclusive educational practices, awareness programmes, institutional support, and continuous monitoring, the SEDGs Cell strives to ensure that students from disadvantaged backgrounds have meaningful opportunities to pursue higher education and achieve their academic and professional aspirations.

4. Objectives of the SEDGs Cell

1. To promote equal opportunities and inclusive higher education for students belonging to socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
2. To safeguard the constitutional rights, dignity, safety, and security of eligible students.
3. To identify educational, financial, social, linguistic, and accessibility-related barriers affecting students.
4. To facilitate academic mentoring, counselling referrals, and appropriate student-support services.
5. To promote access to government scholarships, fellowships, freeships, and institutional financial assistance schemes.
6. To support orientation, bridge courses, remedial teaching, and academic enrichment initiatives wherever required.
7. To encourage implementation of applicable government reservation policies and student welfare schemes.
8. To facilitate awareness of educational rights, institutional support mechanisms, and available government benefits.
9. To promote equal participation in academic, cultural, sports, research, and extracurricular activities.
10. To encourage inclusion of students with disabilities through appropriate accessibility measures and reasonable accommodations.
11. To support first-generation learners and students experiencing educational disadvantages.
12. To facilitate appropriate referral and redressal of discrimination-related concerns through competent institutional or statutory bodies.
13. To promote higher education awareness, employability, skill development, and career progression among disadvantaged learners.
14. To strengthen coordination among institutional committees for effective implementation of student-support programmes.
15. To maintain appropriate documentation and monitor the effectiveness of inclusion initiatives.

5. Proposed Composition of the SEDGs Cell

The Cell shall comprise representatives appointed by the competent institutional authority, taking into account the composition prescribed or recommended under applicable UGC guidelines.

6. Major Activities of the SEDGs Cell

1. SEDGs Orientation and Awareness Programmes.
2. Scholarship and Financial Assistance Guidance Sessions.
3. Bridge Courses and Academic Transition Support.
4. First-Generation Learner Mentoring.
5. Inclusive Education and Social Equity Workshops.
6. Disability Accessibility Awareness Programmes.
7. Constitutional Rights and Social Justice Seminars.
8. Higher Education Awareness and Outreach Activities.
9. Career Guidance and Employability Workshops.
10. Digital Literacy and Academic Skills Development.
11. Language and Communication Support Activities.
12. Student Mentoring and Peer-Support Initiatives.
13. Educational Opportunities Awareness for Disadvantaged Communities.
14. Anti-Discrimination Sensitisation Activities.
15. Student Support Feedback and Inclusion Review Meetings.

7. Procedure for Student Support and Assistance

8. Coordination with Institutional Committees

9. Institutional Commitment

JMF’s Vande Mataram College of Arts, Commerce & Science is committed to promoting equal access to quality higher education and ensuring that students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds are supported in their academic and personal development.

The Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups Cell supports this commitment by facilitating inclusive educational opportunities, promoting awareness of scholarships and welfare schemes, encouraging academic mentoring, recommending accessibility improvements, and strengthening appropriate institutional support mechanisms.

Through systematic planning, inclusive practices, stakeholder engagement, institutional coordination, and continuous evaluation, the Cell strives to reduce educational barriers and promote meaningful opportunities for every student to learn, grow, and succeed.

The institution remains dedicated to upholding constitutional values, educational equity, dignity, inclusiveness, and social responsibility.