Message by the Executive Committee
The Alumni of the Department of Social Work (erstwhile Delhi School of Social Work) take pride in this small but great institution. It is small because since its inception in 1947, only about 5000 students have graduated from the Department. It is great because it has enabled and continues to enable many alumni to make a difference to the social development sector within the country and across the globe.
The faculty and the alumni from different batches have come together to form the Association which is now registered (in January 2022). The Association aims to support the Department by sharing the knowledge and experience of our members with the students. We would also like to create a platform where the alumni can know about the work of each other, network and engage with each other – going beyond their respective batches. This website is a step in that direction. Any group can be as strong as the participation of its members. Therefore, we invite all alumni to become members of the Association so that we can work in a more coordinated way to strengthen our alma mater and support each other.
Members of the Executive Committee
The Team
The Team comprises of eight members of the Executive Committee. It was decided by the Founding members to have the Head of the Department as the Patron of the Association. In order to have smooth interaction with the faculty, 2 members have been nominated by the Department to be part of this Committee. Other members President, Vice President, General Secretary and Treasurer were elected unanimously in the online General Body Meeting held on October 1, 2021. In addition, three members have taken up specific responsibilities to support the Alumni Association.
Executive Committee
Patron – Prof. Sanjoy Roy (Batch 1998-2000) currently the Head of the Department assumed charge in June 2023. A young Professor with a distinguished career record, he has been bestowed with a host of Awards and commendations. He was recently he was awarded the Delhi University Excellence Award for the Best Faculty (below 45 years) during the Delhi University centenary celebrations, 2023.
After his Post Graduation and M.Phil from DSSW he did his PhD from Lucknow University. In addition, he has a degree in LLB from Delhi University. He has authored and edited 14 books on various subjects of Social Work and published a host of international and national Research Papers.
He holds several Administrative positions including Vice President of the National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI) and Director at the Institute of Lifelong Learning (DU). He is one of the Founder members and an active member and supporter of the Alumni Association.
President – Yogesh Chandra (1973-75 batch) with a Diploma in Labour Laws post his MSW has many years of working in the HR space. He retired from India Oil Corporation Ltd as General Manager. During his career spanning over 3 decades in the corporate sector, his contribution to the Firm has been specially in area of environment and social safeguards. Yogesh has been a strong force in the formation of the Alumni Association.
Vice President – Indu Wadhwa (1976-78 batch) is an enthusiastic member of the Association. After working with different corporates for about 3 decades, she has set up her own Consultancy Firm – Global Upside India Pvt Ltd. She offers HR consulting, Executive coaching, Conducts trainings and workshops in Diversity and Inclusion and Leadership Development for the Corporates. She has an additional responsibility of leading the supportive learning initiative.
Advisor Prof. Sushma Batra (1973-75 batch) is our well-respected teacher who superannuated from the Department in 2018. During this tenure she published 7 books. She continues to teach doctoral students in other educational institutions and pursue her interest in research. Prof Batra is a very strong link between the Department and the Alumni. The institutional memory she brings is extremely valuable in linking the alumni with the rich heritage of our alma mater.
Advisor KK Seth (1975-77 batch) has spent over three decades in the HR space. He retired from BHEL as an Executive Director in 2015. He has played a significant role in building systems for talent management which has been helpful in succession planning and grooming high potential employees. He also lead the L&D function for the Firm. Seth, along with Yogesh, gave the initial impetus to the formation of the Association and continues to guide the same.
General Secretary – Dr. Niraj Seth (1980-82 batch) has over 30 years of experience of working in school set up, national level NGO, International NGO and Consulting with the Big 4. She retired as Associate Partner from EY. She has several years of experience in programme management, social research, CSR and Consulting with Corporates, Government, UN agencies. She has played a significant role in bringing alumni from different batches under one fold.
Joint Secretary – *Prof. Neena Pandey (1993-95 batch) has been working with the Alumni Association since its inception and has helped in building a strong bond with the Department. She is currently working as the Field Work Director. A great communicator, she has done significant work in areas like violence against women, Participatory Rural Appraisal, Sexuality and Gender. Her presence brings a lot of energy to the Association.
Alumni-Department Co-ordinator – *Dr. Veda Yumnum (Batch 2005-07) provides the much needed support to the Alumni Association to carry out the planned activities,
*Nominated by the Department
Additional Team
Newsletter publication for the Alumni Association: Anjana Anand (1992-94 batch) is one of our very active alumni. She has rich experience of working in India, Bangla Desh and Singapore. Using her entrepreneurial skills, she founded an organization FYC Global which offers career guidance to students.
Oversight of Alumni Association Website : Tarun Sagar – (2016-18 batch) in a short span has gained very rich experience. He has worked with a policy think-tank, civil society organizations/networks and Parliamentarians in both the Houses. He is currently serving as a Trustee with ANHAD, a civil society organization.
Communication and Networking with the Alumni : Jayant Jhanb (1975-77 batch) has worked in different organizations especially in the HR space for 12 years. These include diverse organizations working in areas such as exports, hospitality and banking. Besides, he worked as an entrepreneur and founded an NGO that operates in Mewat region. He is currently a Business Consultant with Quest Offices Pvt. Ltd.
ABOUT DSSW NOTABLE ALUMNI
Usha Narayanan, (1923 – 2008)
Usha Narayanan, was born in Yamethin, Burma. She completed her Master is Social Work with a specialty in juvenile delinquency. She was married to K. R. Narayanan, the tenth President of India and was the First Lady of India between 1997- 2002. Usha Narayanan worked on several social welfare programs for women and children in India. She played a key role in women’s social welfare activities initiated by the presidency.
Prof. Manoj Jha
Prof Manoj Jha completed his Masters from Department of Social Work from Delhi University in 1992 and a PhD in 2000. He has been a Professor at The Department of Social Work, University of Delhi. He is an Indian politician who is a member of Rajya Sabha in Indian Parliament and also the spokesperson of the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
Feisal Alkazi
Feisal Alkazi is an educationist, theatre director and activist. After his Masters in Social Work, he headed Ankur, a society for alternatives in education and taught at the Jamia Mass Communication Research Centre. His group, Ruchika, has directed over 200 plays in Hindi, English, and Urdu. He has written over 20 books, including Rang Biranga RangmanchÂ
Our Mission
To work together with the Department and other related institutions / organizations to provide opportunities for professional development of students in all branches of Social Work.
To provide suitable inputs to the Department about the changing landscape, to help them bring about need based modifications in the curriculum, field work and other related matters.
To facilitate effective liaison with agencies that employ Social Work professionals for providing field training and employment to the graduates.