Veeranari Chakali Ilamma Women’s University – SC & ST Cell
Director
Dr. A. Rajani Malathi
Director (In-Charge), SC & ST Cell
Director Message
The SC/ST Cell is dedicated to ensuring social justice, equity, and equal opportunities for students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Cell works continuously to safeguard student rights, address grievances, and promote an inclusive and discrimination-free academic environment.
Students are encouraged to effectively utilize the guidance, support services, and welfare measures provided by the Cell for their academic, personal, and professional development.
About the Director
Dr. A. Rajani Malathi is the Director (In-Charge) of the SC/ST Cell and serves as Assistant Professor and Head (In-Charge), Department of Physics. She holds a Ph.D. from Osmania University and has over 12 years of teaching experience and 15 years of research experience. She has published several research papers in national and international journals and has participated in various FDPs, RCs, and OCs. She has held multiple academic and administrative responsibilities, including Advisory Committee Member, Board of Studies Member, Director – Divyangjan Cell, and Academic Audit Convener for Science Events.
About the SC/ST Cell:
The SC/ST Cell of the University is established to promote equity, social justice, and the holistic empowerment of women belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). The Cell is committed to ensuring equal access to quality education, academic support, career development opportunities, and institutional resources, while safeguarding the rights, dignity, and well-being of SC/ST students and staff.
The Cell strives to foster a safe, inclusive, and discrimination-free campus environment through continuous efforts in awareness creation, guidance, mentorship, capacity building, and effective grievance redressal mechanisms, in accordance with UGC guidelines and constitutional provisions.
Vision
The vision of the SC/ST Cell is to create an inclusive, equitable, and empowering academic environment where women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes can realize their full potential with confidence, dignity, and self-reliance. The Cell envisions a university ecosystem rooted in constitutional values, promoting social justice, gender equity, leadership, and academic excellence.
Mission
- To ensure equal access to quality educational opportunities for SC/ST students.
- To promote inclusive institutional policies and equitable practices across the University.
- To support the academic, social, and professional development of SC/ST students through targeted interventions.
- To uphold constitutional values of justice, equality, fraternity, and social harmony.
Objectives
- Effective implementation of reservation policies as per UGC and Government norms
- Awareness creation and dissemination of information related to SC/ST welfare schemes
- Systematic data collection and monitoring
- Grievance redressal and student support
- Counselling and empowerment initiatives
- Promotion of an inclusive and discrimination-free campus culture
- Follow-up on Government and UGC initiatives related to SC/ST welfare
Functions of the SC/ST Cell
- Acts as a facilitative and support unit for women students belonging to SC/ST categories
- Organizes awareness programmes, seminars, workshops, and orientation sessions
- Disseminates information on scholarships, fellowships, reservations, and welfare schemes
- Coordinates with Minority Cell, BC Cell, Women’s Studies Centre, and related committees
- Ensures a safe and inclusive campus environment
- Addresses grievances through appropriate institutional mechanisms
Activities (2025–26)
- Establishment of the SC/ST Cell in compliance with UGC guidelines
- Two-day workshop on “Inclusivity and Women Empowerment”, jointly organized with VCIWU, held on 10–11 April 2025, including student-centric activities such as essay writing, elocution, and skit performances, along with expert lectures
- Celebration of Teej Festival organized in collaboration with University Hostels on 14 August 2025 to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity
- One-day Entrepreneur Awareness Programme organized jointly with HCDC on 9 January 2026
- Strengthened inter-cell collaboration with Minority Cell, BC Cell, and Women’s Studies Centre
Upcoming Activities (Proposed)
- Expert lectures and interactive sessions on social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and constitutional values
- Awareness programmes on scholarships, fellowships, reservations, and welfare schemes
- Orientation programmes for SC/ST students on academic and institutional support systems
- Collaborative programmes with other cells for mentoring and counselling support
- Leadership development and capacity-building programmes
