CHENNAI: On September 25, 2014, the U.S. Consulate General Chennai will launch “The Kickst’art Challenge: Empowering students with leadership lessons,” a six-month mentoring project aimed at empowering young Indian college students.
According to Ms. Ariel H. Pollock, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General, Chennai, “this exciting program will forge a long-term relationship with U.S. exchange alumni, providing them with tools to engage their local communities in support of mutual goals.” The program is funded by the Alumni Affairs office of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.
The project will begin with a two-day holistic leadership skills-building workshop led by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs and experts for college students in Chennai. The workshop will integrate music, art, theater, and movement as methods of instruction, and will culminate in creating mentor-mentee teams that will progress together toward goal-centric activities.
Alumni mentors will closely lead and guide their respective student teams over a six-month period (September 2014 through February 2015) in skills enhancement activities related to the successful completion of individual projects.
In February 2015, mentored student teams will showcase their projects in a public valedictory event hosted by the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai, and receive graduation certificates.
The mentoring program is completely free of charge.
Heads of educational institutions in Chennai are encouraged to nominate up to a maximum of 10 eligible students selected on a need-and-merit basis for inclusion to the program. Students should commit their time and availability to the completion of the six-month mentoring program and its related enhancement activities in order to successfully graduate.
For more details, please contact 098410-47478 or email chennaialumni@state.gov.
