Virtual inauguration of the Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling

On the eve of university day and its 11th anniversary, O.P Jindal announces the commencement of its 10th school, Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling (JSPC)

Karmistha Bhimwal and Himanya Chadha

“I think JSPC fills a hole or need in India, with respect to the growing interest and popularity of psychology as a major and career choice.”, said Dr Derick H. Lindquist, the Vice Dean of Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling while in conversation with the First Draft.

The O.P Jindal Global University announces the commencement of its 10th school, Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling (JSPC) on the eve of its 11th Anniversary and the University Day.

For those who missed the event can watch the entire video on Jindal Global University’s Facebook page.

“It’s absolutely visionary that this university is establishing the Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling,” Paul Everall, Executive Dean of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience from King’s College London . He added that it’s phenomenal how the structure of the Psychology school is built in coordination with the university.

In India psychology could not take place as there is a lot of stigmas attached to the word ‘psychology’. Not many people or parents allow their kids to take this course and if someone. Just in case, someone takes it up, it is believed that he/she is a doctor of mad people explained Prof. (Dr.)P. Sanjeev Sahni, Principal Director at Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences(JIBS).

He added that according to the World Health Organisation(WHO) 13-14% of the Indian population approximately suffer from some form of mental disorder. Nearly, 15% of the total world population is suffering in India. But sadly, in terms of treatment, we witness a 70% gap between what people are looking for what they are getting.

“Three criteria’s that JSPC aims to meet are—excellence in education, scholarship, and service”, said Everall.

We aspire to be a recognized national and international leader in undergraduate and graduate [psychology] education”, said Lindquist.

Lindquist added, In future JSPC students will take courses that introduce the psychological theory, experimentation, and practice beginning their first semester. And, while students may take electives, the focus will be purely psychology. After three years our students will be well prepared to continue their post-graduate education or enter the job market.

“We started with 1 school and 100 students and now we have 10 schools and 6600 students”, said Dr C. Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Jindal Global University.

Everall delivered the inaugural address followed by Dr Nimesh G. Desai, Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Government of Delhi, who delivered the keynote address.

The ceremony was moderated by Dr Pulkit Khanna, Associate Professor, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences. The event ended with a vote of thanks by Dr Manjushree Palit, Associate Dean and Associate Professor at the Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling, and Professor Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik.

Edited by Sakshi Jain & Manu Kaushal