About the Equal Opportunity Cell
The Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC) of Milagres College Mangalore is established
to promote equality, inclusion, dignity and equitable access to educational
opportunities and institutional facilities. The Cell endeavours to create an
inclusive and supportive campus environment in which students, irrespective
of their social, economic, cultural, linguistic, gender or other backgrounds,
are provided fair opportunities to participate in academic and institutional life.
The EOC facilitates awareness of available student-support mechanisms,
scholarships, concessions and welfare schemes and coordinates with relevant
institutional bodies to address concerns relating to equality, inclusion and
accessibility.
Vision
To foster an inclusive, equitable and supportive educational environment where
every student has an equal opportunity to learn, participate, develop and succeed.
Mission
To promote equality and inclusion within the institution by creating awareness,
facilitating access to appropriate support mechanisms, addressing barriers to
participation and coordinating institutional initiatives for students requiring
additional academic, social or economic support.
Objectives
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Promote equality, equity, inclusion and dignity within the institution.
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Provide an environment that encourages equal participation in academic,
co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities.
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Promote awareness among students regarding their rights, responsibilities
and institutional support mechanisms.
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Create awareness regarding scholarships, fee concessions, financial
assistance and government welfare schemes available to eligible students.
-
Facilitate appropriate academic and institutional support for students
from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.
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Promote an institutional environment free from unfair discrimination
and exclusion.
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Identify barriers that may affect students' access to educational
opportunities and institutional facilities.
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Promote accessibility and facilitate reasonable support for students
with disabilities.
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Support students who may require additional assistance in adapting
to higher education.
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Encourage sensitisation programmes on equality, diversity, inclusion
and respect.
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Coordinate with other institutional committees and cells concerned
with student welfare and grievance redressal.
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Facilitate appropriate referral of complaints or concerns to the
competent institutional authority or committee.
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Encourage participation and representation of students from diverse
backgrounds in institutional activities.
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Periodically review initiatives undertaken by the Cell and recommend
improvements to the institution.
Functions of the Equal Opportunity Cell
Awareness and Information:
Disseminate information regarding scholarships, financial assistance,
concessions, welfare schemes and institutional support available to
eligible students.
Student Support:
Facilitate appropriate academic, administrative and institutional
assistance to students requiring additional support.
Equal Access:
Promote equitable access to academic resources, institutional facilities,
activities and opportunities.
Accessibility:
Coordinate with the institution regarding accessibility requirements
and facilities for students with disabilities.
Sensitisation:
Organise awareness programmes, orientations, seminars and activities
relating to equality, inclusion, diversity and non-discrimination.
Guidance and Referral:
Guide students to the appropriate institutional mechanism when they
require counselling, grievance redressal, financial assistance,
academic support or other assistance.
Coordination:
Coordinate, where necessary, with the SEDGs Cell, Student Grievance
Redressal Committee, Internal Complaints Committee, Anti-Ragging Cell,
IQAC, Student Welfare mechanisms and other relevant bodies.
Monitoring:
Periodically review the effectiveness of equal-opportunity initiatives
undertaken by the institution.
Documentation and Reporting:
Maintain appropriate records of meetings, programmes and initiatives
while maintaining confidentiality wherever required, and prepare an
annual report of the Cell.
Composition of the Equal Opportunity Cell – 2026–27
| Sl. No. |
Name |
Designation in EOC |
| 1 |
Dr Alwin Serrao |
Chairperson |
| 2 |
Mrs. Glanciya Fernandes |
Nodal Officer / Coordinator |
| 3 |
Mr Denzil D'Costa |
Member – IQAC Representative |
| 4 |
Lt. Denzil Edrod Pinto |
Member – Student Welfare Representative |
| 5 |
Ms Anju Elsa Thomas |
Member – Faculty Representative |
| 6 |
Ms. Chaithra D |
Member – Faculty Representative |
| 7 |
Ms Shravya Rao |
Member – Student Representative |
Roles and Responsibilities
Chairperson:
Provide overall guidance to the Cell, review its activities, facilitate
institutional support and ensure that matters requiring administrative
intervention are forwarded to the appropriate authority.
Nodal Officer / Coordinator:
Coordinate meetings and activities of the Cell, maintain relevant records,
disseminate information to students, coordinate with other institutional
bodies and prepare reports of activities undertaken.
IQAC Representative:
Assist in integrating equality and inclusion initiatives with the
institution's quality-assurance processes and documentation.
Student Welfare Representative:
Assist in identifying student-support requirements and coordinating
appropriate welfare, counselling or institutional support.
Faculty Representatives:
Assist with awareness programmes, student guidance, identification of
support requirements and implementation of activities undertaken by the Cell.
Student Representative:
Communicate relevant student concerns and suggestions to the Cell and
assist in promoting awareness of equal-opportunity initiatives among students.
Student Support Areas
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Scholarships, concessions and financial-support information
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Academic-support opportunities
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Accessibility and disability-related institutional support
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Difficulties in accessing institutional opportunities or facilities
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Concerns regarding equality or inclusion
-
Information regarding student-welfare schemes
-
Guidance regarding the appropriate institutional grievance mechanism
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Support and referral to other relevant college committees/cells
The Equal Opportunity Cell does not replace specialised statutory committees
where a matter falls within the jurisdiction of another institutional body.
Such matters shall be referred to the appropriate committee or authority.
Grievance and Support Mechanism
Students who experience concerns relating to equal opportunity, access,
inclusion or discrimination may approach the Nodal Officer/Coordinator of
the Equal Opportunity Cell. Upon receiving a concern, the Cell may provide
guidance, facilitate appropriate support or refer the matter to the competent
institutional authority or committee depending upon the nature of the issue.
Where a complaint falls within the jurisdiction of the Student Grievance
Redressal Committee, Internal Complaints Committee, Anti-Ragging Cell or
another statutory body, the matter shall be forwarded through the appropriate
institutional mechanism. Confidentiality shall be maintained wherever required.
Contact
Nodal Officer / Coordinator:
Mrs. Glanciya Fernandes
Official Contact / Email:
[email protected]
Suggested Activities – 2026–27
| Activity |
Purpose |
| Equal Opportunity Cell Orientation |
Introduce students to the EOC and available support mechanisms.
|
| Scholarship & Financial Assistance Awareness |
Inform students about available schemes and eligibility.
|
| Equality & Inclusion Awareness Programme |
Promote awareness regarding equality, dignity and inclusion.
|
| Accessibility Review |
Identify accessibility-related requirements within the campus.
|
| Student Support Interaction |
Identify general academic and institutional support requirements.
|
| Review Meeting |
Review activities, concerns and recommendations of the EOC.
|
| Annual EOC Report |
Document activities, outcomes and recommendations for the
academic year.
|
