Puducherry: The Department of Social Work, Pondicherry University (PU), in collaboration with Satya Special School, organised a one-day research workshop on “Designing Research: A Foundational Approach to Excellence and Inquiry” as part of its community outreach to mark International Literacy Day.

The event saw the participation of 108 delegates, including MSW students, research scholars, faculty members and representatives from Satya Special School, the university said in a release.

Resource persons Dr Umesh Samuel Jebaseelan, Principal, CSI Bishop Solomon Doraiswamy College of Arts and Science, Karur, and Dr Jayalakshmy, Additional Professor, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, led the technical sessions. They addressed themes such as research problem identification, methods, design, sampling, proposal writing, variables, descriptive analysis and ethics in research.

Inaugurating the programme, Prof K. Tharanikkarasu, Director (SEI & RR), Pondicherry University, stressed the importance of research for youth and its relevance to International Literacy Day. Prof G. Chandhrika, Dean, School of Social Sciences and International Studies, appreciated the collaboration between the university and Satya Special School.

The valedictory address was delivered by Prof Clement Sagayaradja Lourdes, Director of Culture and Cultural Relations, who highlighted the relevance of literacy with illustrations from literature. Certificates were later distributed to participants.

The organisers said the workshop reaffirmed the department's commitment to research capacity-building, academic excellence and meaningful community outreach.