ACSF Round Table Discussion on 19th January 2016
On the day of the inauguration of ACSF, an interactive round table discussion in the “world café” format was organized among the attending alumnus. Five round tables were set up with a host and a set of five different questions with the common thread of how we can contribute towards a visible, successful and sustainable alumni association and make a difference were distributed for brainstorming amongst the participants. The ideas which emerged are summarized below table wise.
Table No.1: Theme: vision for ACSF five years down the line
1a) Imagine you are in a meeting to review the achievements five years later. What do you expect to hear?
1b) Why do you think ACSF would be able to have these achievements?
Summary points which emerged from the discussion:
1. Knowledge sharing
2. Visibility of ACSF in various channels, sectors
3. Application of knowledge/training gained towards development of India
4. ACSF in advisory role in selection process, policy making
5. Recognition of alumni achievements
Table No.2: Theme: Activities that ACSF can initiate
2a) What kind of activities should ACSF engage in?
2b) Why do you think so?
Summary points which emerged from the discussion:
1. ACSF as an expert group for education and other broad based government policys
2. Theme based subgroups
3. Publications and holding seminars and conferences
4. Local chapters
5. Community development
Short term goal: Increase membership, publish newsletter
Long term goal: Local chapters, journals
Table No.3 Theme: Motivating and mobilizing members to ACSF
3a) How can more Fellows/scholars be Motivated to join ACSF?
3b) Are there Scholars/ fellows you Know who you think must join ACSF?
3c) Can you help them join ACSF? How?
Summary points which emerged from the discussion:
1. Word of mouth publicity
2. Letters to various organizations/institutions/agencies seeking information of commonwealth alumni
3. Media coverage-alumni day
4. Regular interdisciplinary meetings
Table No.4 Theme: Individual engagement and contribution of members
4a) How would you like to be engaged in and contributing to ACSF?
4b) What skills would you like to bring into The ACSF space?
Summary points which emerged from the discussion:
1. Donate time
2. Popularizing the association
3. Reverse fellowship
4. Public lectures
5. Fund generation
6. Towards skill contributions: E-platforms for alumni interaction, editing and writing for websites, newsletter, delivering public lectures
Table No.5 Themes: Taskforces and planning for the future
5a) Going forward, ACSF has plans of creating specific task forces. What task Forces should be created? Why?
5b) Which of these task forces would you like to join? Why?
Summary points which emerged from the discussion:
1. Technology development including popularizing indigenous knowledge
2. Sustainable community development
3. Health and wellbeing
4. Women empowerment
5. Human rights
6. Climate change