Orientation 2026: Rooted in Purpose, Reaching for Possibility
Every journey begins with a first step, and for our incoming batch, that step was taken at the Departmental Orientation 2026 of the Manav Rachna School of Education & Humanities. Over the course of the programme, new students were welcomed into the department through reflection, interaction and shared learning, helping them settle into a community built on purpose, character and curiosity. Here is a glimpse of how the days unfolded.
The Departmental Orientation 2026 at the Manav Rachna School of Education & Humanities began with a reflective activity titled “My Goals & Aspirations.” Incoming students wrote their dreams and ambitions on sticky notes and placed them on the Goals & Aspirations Wall. The notes spoke of becoming educators, psychologists, researchers, civil servants, entrepreneurs and changemakers, each carrying hope and a desire to make a difference. The exercise gave the new batch a moment to pause, put their vision for the future into words, and set a purposeful tone for the days ahead, reminding them that every aspiration begins with a single step.
Day 01 also featured an interactive Puppet Making Workshop, facilitated by senior semester student Ms. Pragyamayee Khandai and Dr. Mira Mishra. From simple craft materials, the incoming students created colourful puppets and imaginative characters, while learning how puppetry can serve as a powerful teaching-learning tool that nurtures creativity, communication, storytelling and experiential learning. With a senior student stepping in as mentor, the session also showed how learning at SOEH grows through peer engagement and hands-on experience.
Day 02 of the Departmental Orientation 2026 turned the focus inward, with activities designed to help incoming students understand themselves as learners and future educators. Psychological testing offered a chance to reflect on personality, strengths, and individual tendencies, while mind mapping and graphic organisers showed creative ways to organise information and make learning more visual and engaging. Mindfulness practices encouraged students to pause, reflect and value emotional well-being and balance. With students and faculty stepping in as facilitators and peer leaders, the day reflected the School’s belief that future educators must learn not only what to teach, but also how to know themselves, think creatively and keep growing.
Day 03 of the Departmental Orientation 2026 prepared incoming students for an AI-enabled world through a session on AI Tools for Learning and the Ethical Use of AI in Higher Education. Students explored how artificial intelligence can enhance learning, creativity and productivity, while reflecting on academic integrity, originality, critical evaluation of AI-generated information, responsible prompting and data privacy. The session stressed that for future educators, understanding AI means knowing not just which tools to use, but when, why and how to use them responsibly, with technology augmenting human thinking rather than replacing it and human values staying at the centre.
Day 04 of the Departmental Orientation 2026 introduced incoming students to the importance of creating a meaningful digital portfolio through a session on “Building Your Academic e-Portfolio.” Students explored how a well-curated portfolio can showcase their academic journey, skills, achievements, projects and reflections, while serving as a tool for self-reflection, professional visibility and future academic and career opportunities. The session encouraged them to move beyond simply collecting certificates and build a digital identity that reflects who they are, what they have learned and what they aspire to become.
Day 05 of the Departmental Orientation 2026 offered incoming students a moment of calm through an engaging Mandala Art Session. As they carefully created their mandalas, students discovered the value of patience, focus and creativity, and the activity became a journey of self-expression, mindfulness and reflection. In the discussion that followed, many shared how the process helped them feel relaxed, slow down, stay present and appreciate the therapeutic power of art. The session reflected the belief that orientation is not only about introducing students to academics, but also about creating meaningful experiences that support emotional well-being and personal growth.
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