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About Us

The Universal Human Values (UHV) Cell at the Punjabi University, Patiala aims to create an enriched existence and a happy life for its stake holders that fulfills human emotional and mental necessities which are much more than just survival. The UHV Cell intends to create awareness of a humane approach, reasoning, moral coherence, and propagate a value system based on generosity, benevolence and tolerance for fellow human beings. To holistically develop the faculty, non-teaching staff, students and researchers so that they effectively contribute to the welfare and progress of the society. The Cell intends to focus on the ethical and professional values so as to help create a society where human beings have mutual respect for each other and there is no preference based on differences such as caste or community. While propagating a happy and successful life through practice of values including honesty, compassion, empathy and accountability, the intent is to enrich our perspective of understanding individuals, society and situations.

The present education system has become increasingly skill based and the aspiration is to achieve what is considered valuable in terms of facilities. Value education is the weak link in the present education system. The result is that most of our efforts prove to be counter-productive and serious crises at the individual, societal, professional level may get manifested in maladaptive ways like aggression, anger, depression, frustration, health issues and frauds. Technology and virtual relations are pushing us towards being minotaurs. The Cell hopes to stem and reverse this flow towards humanity; moving from a mere existence to a meaningful- purposeful living.

At the personal level the UHV Cell proposes to mentor students to be committed-motivated human beings who recognize and nurture their own hidden potential and also help others to move forward. Our aim is that our students go out not just as individuals with high-employability, becoming rich in material possessions, but also be able to nurture compassion and contentment while navigating lifes challenges. Skills and education must be are complemented with wisdom and peace, within and around.

At the social level, the UHV Cell would also take initiatives to create awareness regarding the deplorable condition of the marginalized individuals or groups in the society. The Cell would address the woes of the marginalized by creating sensitization towards equality, human compassion and human welfare.

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Objectives

• To train individuals to face real-life challenges with a solid grounding of a value system
• The UHV Cell is going to create space for self-reflection and self-growth through diverse forms of activities for all the members of the University. We aim to touch the professional and personal ethics leading to reasoning, inner coherence, and then translating them into interpersonal sphere.
• Realization of mutual fulfillment in every role played, be it in the context of family (parental or marital), in the context of job (be it as a leader, colleague) or be it in the context of physical environment. It would create awareness about proper conduct and to connect positively in every interaction.
• The UHV Cell would highlight the problems faced by the marginalized in various social, economic, and cultural spheres of life. Through enhanced human values the Cell would aid in reducing prevailing inequality and restoring the self-image and dignity of all at large.
• Through the UHV Cell an effort is being made to widen the horizon of the Universitys contribution to the social welfare of the society.

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Future Plan

• Academic:To organize SPECIAL lectures, Symposiums, Seminars, Faculty Development Programmes, Short Term Courses on various UHV for non-teaching staff for students and researchers.
• Publications: related to UHV.
• Social welfare: Awareness campaigns.

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Continuity and Footprints

All activities shall be recorded and shared via virtual tools. The purpose of this is not just temporary connections but continuous flow which can be revisited and re-examined.

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Value Added Course Conducted By UHVC

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Value-priorities survey conducted by UHVC

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Departmental Activities

Inaugural Session

Universal Human Values Cell, Punjabi University Patiala organized its inaugural event on 31st March 2022 with an interactive session by Angela Bamblett titled The Importance of Being Human: A Conversation about Living our Values in a Chaotic World. The speaker, who is a trained practicing psychologist based in Canberra, Australia, explained the role of Guilt and Shame in shaping ones lifelong evolution of value system and its expression in day-to-day crisis. The session was attended by 152 students and faculty of the university. The session was highly interactive with over hundred chats shared by the participants related to four questions posed by the speaker; namely defining values, their genesis, conflicting areas, and most important values navigating personal life choices. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Arvind highlighted the objectives of the Universal Human Value Cell, which are personal as well as social enhancement with meaningful existence. Proposing the vote of thanks, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof B S Sandhu, highlighted the success of the event in initiating self-reflection in all the participants.

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Talk on Value Based Response

Universal Human Value Cell, Punjabi University Patiala organised a talk on Value Based Response by Major General Ashok Kumar(retired), Vishist Sewa Medal, on April 12th 2022. Addressing the students, research fellows, and faculty of the university, Major General Ashok VSM propagated a compassionate approach to life and the concept of winning with values systems. The concept of Win -Win, Self-Improvement by Challenging Oneself, Time Being the Most Valuable Resource, and Dignity of Labour were each brought out with illustrations from his vast life experiences and examples from the sports world. Prof. A. K. Tiwary, Dean of Research, in his presidential remarks, used the example of selfless and value-based role played by the army, to motivate the listeners to stop the current degradation of values. He propagated use of patience while listening, and using faith in relationships as a path to follow in life.

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Talk on Transforming Self

An interactive session was conducted on 25th May 2022 for the students, researchers, and faculty of Punjabi University, Patiala by the Universal Human Values Cell on "Transforming Self". The invited speaker was Dr Alok Bajpai from Kanpur. An alumnus of NIMHANS, TEDx speaker, and co-mentor of e-Gurukul of IITs and inventor of "Chaupal", Dr Alok is Life Skills Trainer who has incorporated Gandhian principles into Transformational Processes. The interaction led to active discussion on the understanding of Self, bio-psycho-social aspects of its formation, and its significance in the larger framework of universal human values. The students were helped to develop insight into the process of personal change; evolving into self-transformation through numerous illustrations. Dean research, Dr A K Tiwari, while thanking the speaker for his eloquent and insightful talk endorsed the need for internalizing responsible life of values; and working on putting them into day-to-day practice.

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Talk on Integrity: Importance of Doing What is Right and Not What is Easy

The Universal Human Value Cell, Punjabi University, Patiala also organised a talk titled Integrity: Importance of Doing What is Right and Not What is Easy at the Department of Psychology, Punjabi University Patiala on May 30th 2022 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm IST. Dr Harprit Kaur, Professor and Clinical Psychologist, Department of Psychology, PUP and Director, Womens Studies Centre was the resource person. Dr. Harprit Kaur spoke to students seeking a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology and emphasised the importance of virtue integrity in leading a happy and genuine life. She provided in-depth information about academic integrity, personal integrity, and what integrity looks like in her talk. The students participation in the events demonstrated their interest.

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Talk on Emotional Intelligence and Universal Values: Meaningful Practice in Daily Life

The Universal Human Value Cell, Punjabi University, Patiala organised a talk on 'Emotional Intelligence and Universal Values: Meaningful Practice in Daily Life' on June 22, 2022. The invited expert, Ms Shalini Sharma, Consultant Psychologist, from Plaksha University, discussed the significance of emotions with the students. She apprised the students of their feelings. Awareness exercises on emotions were practically demonstrated, like making a mood meter, labelling & recognising emotions, feeling march for emotions, building mood vocabulary and recognising the intensity of emotions through emotion activity.

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Lecture on Universal Life Skills: Ergonomics and Body Mechanisms in Daily Living Activities

Universal Human Values Cell, Punjabi University, Patiala in collaboration with The Department of Social Work and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan organised lecture on Universal Life Skills: Ergonomics and Body Mechanisms in Daily Living Activities by Dr Sandeep Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Punjabi University, Patiala on August 30th 2022. Addressing the students and faculty of the university, Dr Sandeep highlighted that these days many of physical ailments, such as back pain, neck pain, joints and muscle pain, arthritis etc arises mainly due to our wrong postures and patterns of movements adopted to carry out our daily activities of living. This lecture also explained what are proper Ergonomics postures and body movements that individual should adopt to perform daily physical functions. The enthusiasm of the participants was evident from their participation in the activities.

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Workshop on Grit and Resilience in Academic Performance

Universal Human Value Cell, Punjabi University, Patiala in liaison with the Department of Economics, Punjabi University, Patiala, organised a workshop titled Grit and Resilience in Academic Performance at the seminar hall of the Department of Economics, Punjabi University Patiala on September 30th 2022. Dr Harprit Kaur, Professor and Clinical Psychologist, Department of Psychology, PUP and Mr Amandeep Singh, Community Psychologist, Patiala conducted the seminar. The workshop emphasised strategies for maintaining students physical and mental well-being in contemporary times of heightened stress. There were interactive rounds in the workshop wherein the students examined their own level of Grit and were taught specific strategies for triggering a Growth Mindset to enhance resilience. Over 100 students and faculty members of the Department of Economics participated in the workshop. While inaugurating the session Dr Anupama, Head, Dept of Economics highlighted the role of mental strength for optimum functioning in academics. While concluding, Dr Jasdeep Toor motivated the students to actively practice grit and resilience in daily life.

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Interactive Session on Values in Business

Universal Human Value Cell in liaison with The School of Management Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, organised an interactive session titled Values in Business on 31st Oct 2022 at T-3 seminar hall of the Department of management, Punjabi University, Patiala. The invited speaker, Prof (retd) J P Singh from IIM, Ahmedabad, being an academician par excellence, and also an active advocate for Right to Information Act, Whistle Blowers Protection Act, Rain Water Harvesting, Transparency in economy, Curbing Corruption and Consumer & Investor Protection, and value based Corporate Governance, connected with around 80 students, researchers and faculty of the department to elaborate on values across Sales and Marketing for the senior decision makers as well as young entrepreneurs. The workshop-initiated students thoughts for keeping the focus on Values while defining the success in Business. Coordinator of UHVC emphasized the need to work on values as the current scenario is marked by the Paradox of Happiness where, in absolute terms the socio-economic life success is unable to create a proportionate gradient of happiness and satisfaction and contentment.

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Special session on Frontlines of Psychological Defense

Universal Human Values Cell (UHVC), Punjabi University, in collaboration with Dept of Defense and Strategic Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, organized a special session on 'Frontlines of Psychological Defense' on November 24, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM IST in the Seminar Hall, Dept of Defense and Strategic Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala. The distinguished speaker on this occasion was Dr Tarika Sandhu, from Dept of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala. Addressing an interactive group of over 70 students, the concept of Defense Mechanisms in psychology was used to understand their role in becoming a hindrance to living a value-rich life. The participants were motivated, and guided with specific strategies for enhanced use of adaptive mature defenses. On similar lines, the role of defense analysts while negotiating conflicts by bringing out the humane elements in the forefront, and by highlighting tolerance modeling, was discussed through the examples from the Gulf war as well as the Ukraine conflict. The performance of students on the quiz on defense mechanisms, and the active discussion that followed, indicated the positive impact of the interaction. Dr Kewal Krishan, Head, Dept of Defense and Strategic Studies, highlighted the significance of the current interaction for the benefit of students who were aspiring for army selections process. Dr Harprit Kaur, coordinator, UHVC, brought out the role of students in spreading the message of value-based living in the community. Dr Inderjeet Singh, Dept of Defense and Strategic Studies extended the vote of thanks.

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Special Session on Towards A Better Mental Health: The Power of I

Universal Human Values Cell (UHVC), Punjabi University, in collaboration with Dept of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala, organized a special session on 'Towards Better Mental Health: The Power of I on December 19th 2022, from 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM IST in the Seminar Hall, Dept of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala. The distinguished speaker on this occasion was Dr Inderpreet Sandhu, from Dept of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala. Addressing an interactive group of over 60 students, staff and faculty, Dr Inderpreet Sandhu took the group through the journey of Self Awareness about ones self-concept. The Power of Self Talk was examined, to gain insights about Magnification, Polarizing, Catastrophizing, and Personalization. Specific training was provided to participants in effective strategies to replace negative to positive self-talk, with special emphasis on techniques of Internal Dialogue Assessment, Inner Critique Replacement, Self-Compassion, Realism in Goal-Setting and Experiential interpretations. The students shared their specific pledges in areas thus identified for personal growth and enhancement. Dr Mukesh Kumar Thakkar, Head, Dept of Forensic Science, highlighted the significance of bringing back the focus on personal values. Dr Harprit Kaur, coordinator, UHVC, brought out the role of students in acting as Peer -Support- Volunteers for spreading the message of Better Self for value-based living in the community. Dr Jaswinder Singh, Dept of Distance Education extended the vote of thanks.

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Special Session on Human Values: Gender Equality

Universal Human Values Cell and Womens Studies Centre jointly organised a special lecture on Human Values: Gender Equalityon 31-01-2023 at the Seminar Room of Women's Studies Center at Punjabi University, Patiala. Dr. Jagroop Kaur, Additional Dean (Research) delivered her lecture on the above topic. Dr. Harprit Kaur, Director, Women's Studies Centre, introduced the topic of the lecture to the audience. Prof. Jagroop Kaur, in very simple words shed light on the elements that are negatively affecting our human values and presented her suggestions in this regard. In her speech, she gave detailed information regarding the status of women in the society, causes of domestic violence, social evils and mental health etc.At the end of the lecture, she interacted with the students of the Centre, and the thoughts of the students were discussed. On this occasion, Dr. Karamjit Kaur Malhotra, Asst Professor, (Department of History and Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala) and Dr. Keval Krishna, (Head, Department of Defense Studies Punjabi University, Patiala) were also present.

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Special lecture on Grit and Resilience in Academic Performance

Universal Human Values (UHV) Cell in collaboration with Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research organises a special lecture on Grit and Resilience in Academic Performance in seminar hall of the department in Punjabi University, Patiala dated 11-02- 2023. Dr.Harprit Kaur, Professor, Department of Psychology and Director, Womens Studies Centre was the resource person. Dr. Bharti Sapra, Coordinator of the Lecture and Faculty member, Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Drug research introduced the speaker and the theme of lecture to the audience. Prof. Harprit took examples from the general life to make the students aware about need of grit and resilience in their academic performance in particular and personal life in general. She used grit scale and with its help audience self analysed their personalities as regard to the theme of lecture. She further highlighted that PERMA and PLEASE are very important tools to get rid of adverse situation and prepare ourselves to tackle the situation with positive mindset. There was healthy discussion after the lecture. On this occassion, Dr. Rakesh Goyal, Director, IQAC, Dr.Karamjit Kaur Malhotra, Assistant Prof. Department of History and Punjab Historical Studies and the faculty members of the hosting department was also present. Dr. Gulshan Bansal, Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research proposed the vote of thanks and suggested to organize this type of lecture in near future.

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PowerPoint Presentation competition on the theme: DIGIT-ALL FOR GENDER EQUALITY

Universal Human Values (UHV) Cell in collaboration with Womens Studies Centre and Office, Dean Students Welfare Punjabi University, Patiala celebrated International Women's Day on 10 March 2023 on the theme: DIGIT-ALL FOR GENDER EQUALITY. To commemorate the Day, a PowerPoint Presentation competition was held in which: Srijan from the Department of Chemistry, Punjabi University Patiala stood first, Bharti Devi from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University Patiala stood second and Aastha Verma, (Research Scholar) from the Dept. of Psychology, Punjabi University Patiala stood third. The total number of presentations received for the competition was 127.

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Session on Coping with Disappointments

Universal Human Values Cell in collaboration with Department of History and Punjab Historical Studies organised an interactive session on April 28, 2023 for the faculty and students on 'Coping with Disappointments'. The program saw active participation of over 100 students pursuing Masters and PhD in history, and 5-year integrated course in social sciences, as well as the whole faculty of the department. Dr Richa Shri, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Punjabi University Patiala, was the motivational speaker for this session. She effectively engaged the students and addressed disappointments of life related to personal as well as academic sphere. Her session helped the students to focus on, and analyse the age specific challenges, as well as multiple adaptive coping strategies were taught through life related incidents elaborations. Dr Harvinder Kaur, Dean Social Sciences, highlighted the need to find methods for increasing the Happiness Index in the Indian context. Dr Harprit Kaur, coordinator UHVC brought out the role of students as volunteers to spread the spirit of Universal Human Values in the society at large.

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Workshop on Social Media Detox and Mental Health Literacy for Self-Enrichment

Universal Human Value Cell in collaboration with Women's Studies Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala organized five sessions workshop dated 8th May to 12th May 2023 at Sunny Oberoi Auditorium for the Girl students of FYIP (Languages). This Psychological Training Programme was based on Social Media Detox and Mental Health Literacy for Self-Enrichment. Prof.Harprit Kaur, Director, Women's Studies Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala introduced the students with the objectives and organisers of this workshop. On the inaugural day of the workshop, Dr.Harprit Kaur said that earlier we used to discuss ourselves in social context but now social media has become an integral part of our life. Virtual Addiction put this generation at a risk. Google form was used to analyse the impact of this workshop on students.

On the second day of workshop, Dr. Tarika Sandhu, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala interacted with the participants. She said social media use has proven to contribute to unrealistic beauty standards and unhealthy comparisons.

During the third session, Dr. Sukhminder Kaur, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala interacted with the students and discussed that overuse of mobiles has adversely affected our eating habits, sleep pattern, energy and thinking pattern.

An activity was organised to design a slogan on Responsible Social Media Use during the 4th session of the workshop. Dr. Arvind, Vice Chancellor graced the workshop on the 4th day and lauded the zeal of the students and training team. He advised the students to keep some time of their daily routine as device free

During the last session of the workshop various cases were discussed and students gave their own solutions. Dr.Rajinder Brar, Dean Languages and Prof. Coordinator Five Year Integrated Programme in Languages, Punjabi University, Patiala graced the occasions with their presence. They appreciated students for their enthusiasm about this workshop. They guided them for appropriate use of social networks sites winners. At the end winners of poster making competition and all the participants of workshop were honored with medals and certificates respectively.

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Interactive Session on Silent Warriors: Unveiling the crusades of Widowhood

Universal Human Value Cell in collaboration with Women's Studies Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala organized Interactive Session on Silent Warriors: Unveiling the crusades of Widowhood dated 23rd June 2023 at Seminar Hall, Womens Studies Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala. In this interactive workshop, almost 30 widows from different teaching and non-teaching departments at Punjabi University Patiala recounted their emotional and sociocultural struggles in embracing widowhood. Thereafter, each participant functioned as a peer supporter and provided their best coping mechanisms for others to follow throughout a thorough conversation. It became apparent that the widow and her children had finally found a permanent kind of mutual strength. The keys to recovery were education and having the necessary skill set to support oneself. The group chose to stay in each other's support system and emotional sharing circle.

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Interactive Sessions on Human Values during Orientation Program 2023

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research and Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with UHVC organized interactive sessions on "Transition from School to University: Role of Values and Discipline" and "Significance of Human Values" on August 3, 2023, and August 8, 2023, respectively. These sessions were part of their orientation programs.

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Interactive Session with Teacher Trainers on Gender Sensitization of University Students

The Universal Human Values (UHV) cell in collaboration with Womens Studies Centre organized special interactive session with Teacher Trainers on "Gender Sensitisation of University Students" on August 29, 2023, at Seminar Hall, Women Studies Centre. This training was conducted by the director of Women's Studies Centre, for a group of 25 faculty from various departments of Punjabi University Patiala. The group were trained for providing gender sensitization group sessions to the students of Punjabi University, Patiala. In the training, participants were given hands on training in group activities, role plays, and case vignettes pertaining to breaking rigid gender role division, gender stereotypes, gender bias in behaviour and language, and sexual harassment. Strategies for gender equality, and consent in relationships were discussed. The trainers would identify student volunteers as ' Gender Champions' during their trainings who would then be trained to become Peer Gender Equality Advocates to use C.A.T i.e. 'Correcting oneself ' , 'Adopting Gender Sensitivity', and 'Thinking for all' at the university level.The trained participants of this group would conduct sessions across all the faculties, for the students of the university on Gender Sensitisation. These series of programs would be under the purview of women studies centre.

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UHVC Team