Rotary Youth Leadership Awards 2022 concluded at Shoolini University

The three-day Rotary Youth Leadership Awards 2022 (RYLA) event organised by Rotary Club in association with Shoolini University, concluded in the campus on Sunday.

Over 100 students from various schools of Chandigarh attended the RYLA including those from Delhi Public School and DAV School, along with members of Rotary Club.

RYLA is an intensive leadership experience organised by Rotary clubs and districts that allows youth to develop the leadership skills while having fun and making new connections.

On the first day, Mr. VP Kalta, District Governor of Rotary District 3080, discussed Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Chancellor Prof. PK Khosla recalled how he came up with the idea for establishing Shoolini University. “The work comes first, and everything else follows,” Prof. Khosla said in his rousing speech about inspiration. He also discussed teaching methods and said that, “everything is achievable, you just need to dream and find a way to execute.”

In his session “Who is a leader”, Vice Chancellor Prof. Atul Khosla shared a presentation with the attendees. He told five stories from his life to teach the young minds important life lessons. “Dreams are something that keeps you awake at night,” quoted Prof. Atul Khosla when discussing dreams and aspirations. He also gave examples of leaders like APJ Abdul Kalam and Mahatma Gandhi.

Mr Charanjeet Singh, Rotarian, during his session on communication skills said that the “most important communication is the one we have with ourselves,” he also shared the success formula with the students.

Mr. Vinod Kapur, President of the Rotary Club, urged the students not to harm the environment in any way. “Learn as much as you can during this three-day retreat and have fun,” he added. “Take an active role and don’t be afraid to ask questions,” he concluded.

Mr. AP Singh, Assistant Governor, spoke about the history of the Rotary Club and how to be a leader and human being. “I hope you keep an open mind and absorb everything you see and hear during the event,” he added.

Ms. Reema Dewan, Principal of DPS, Chandigarh, led a session on essential life skills, focusing on soft skills and effective communication. The session also included a variety of activities with the students. “If change is the only concept and constant, we must constantly change,” Ms. Dewan said while discussing skills and the importance of continuing to learn new ones.

The final day also included a project assignment and roadmap in which students brainstormed ideas for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The students were divided into groups during the session, and each group was given a different SDG to discuss. During the final day, new ideas about gender equality, quality education, climate change, women empowerment, poverty, and solar energy were shared.