Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 6: The MBA and MCA departments of St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, organized a guest talk titled 'From campus to corporate: Navigating POSH with confidence' for the students of 1st year MBA and MCA on Tuesday, December 2.

The session was conducted by Dr Devi Prabha Alva, assistant professor of commerce, St Agnes College, and a certified POSH trainer. Its primary objective was to raise awareness among students about the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, workplace ethics, and the importance of safety and dignity as they prepare to enter professional environments

The session began with a warm welcome by Rohistan Pinto, a student of the MCA department, who introduced the guest speaker and highlighted the speaker’s credentials.

Dr Devi Prabha began her session with the powerful statement, “It is not the violence of the terrorist that is dangerous, but the silence of the so-called educated,” thereby emphasizing the need to raise awareness and speak against injustice. She enriched the session by sharing real-life incidents of workplace harassment, which helped the students understand the seriousness of the issue. A short documentary titled 'Zaroorat' was screened, portraying the realities of harassment at the workplace and reinforcing the need for vigilance and awareness

During the session, the speaker covered the origin and background of the POSH Act, 2013, the meaning and definition of sexual harassment, and the various types of harassment. She highlighted the need for awareness at the college level and the responsibilities of employers and institutions to ensure a safe, respectful environment. Dr Devi Prabha also explained the Act’s key provisions, reporting and redress procedures, and shared the Women’s Helpline number (1091). Case scenarios helped students apply the concepts, and the session’s takeaway was summed up as: 'Safety and dignity are non-negotiable'.

An interactive Q&A and feedback session followed with students actively participating and clarifying doubts. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Vihitha Shetty, an MBA student, thanking the resource person, organizing departments, and participants. The programme concluded with a group photograph.