DON BOSCO SELF-EMPLOYMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE - MIRPARA

Diocese : Kolkata (1990) 1992 - St. John Bosco
Activities : Formal Civil Engineering Technicians and Non-formal Technical training Courses, Physiotherapy, Scouts and Guides, School for Dance and Culture, Hostel for boys, Adult Education Programme, Sunday Oratory, Sponsorship, Medical Assistance to the Neighbourhood, T.B. DOT Centre, House building Programme, Base line Study and Survey of the Rural Areas, NGO Skill Mapping in Slum to ILO, Millennium Project.

Don Bosco SERI
120 Mirpara Road
Bhattanagar P.O.
Howrah
WEST BENGAL 711 203

Phones: (033) 2645 6223 ,(033) 2645 8708
(033) 2645 1769
(033) 2645 4402 - In-Charge of Aspirants
Fax:(033) 2645 8710
E-mail: dbseri@cal2.vsnl.net.in
vdmathew@vsnl.net, Rector
Web: www.donbosco-seri.org




History:
The tragic situation of the young in poorer quarters grossly rejected by the economic and political circles to the point of being excluded from the society led the sensitive Salesians to open this unique venture. The percentage of dropouts at the national level (up to Cl. X) is about 80%. According to a World Bank study 50% of the students dropout of school by the time they reach Cl.V and another 30% by the time they reach the school final. It is to such needy persons that Don Bosco Self Employment Research Institute (DBSERI) attempts to reach out. It is the culmination and fulfillment of many a dream and aspirations of Br. Thaiparambil Mathew, a hope and salvation for the school dropouts and the handicapped.

It had its humble beginning in the hired premises in Liluah in the year 1979 under the guidance and supervision of Br. T.V. Mathew and Fr. M.M. Joy. It moved to Mirpara in 1990 and since then it has progressed by leaps and bounds. Today DBSERI gives training for 15 non-formal trades. The Institute is recognized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, and Ministry of Technical Education, Government of West Bengal. 40% of the total strength of the institute consists of girls and house-wives and the rest 60% are boys. All the Non-formal Trades are of one year's duration. Among the students who have gone out, about 40% are self-employed, 40% wage-employed, and another 20% are still to be employed. The Newly built administrative block was inaugurated in 2000, and the Community Hall in 2004.

Mirpara used to houses a one-year preparatory course for boys who wish to join the Salesian Society. The boys under the close supervision of their staff are given training in English language and other subjects. It was opened in 1992. In May 2005 this aspirantate was transferred temporarily to Savio Bhavan, Azimganj.

Vocational Courses conducted are:
Civil engineering technician's course under CISCEboard, New Delhi. Non-formal training of one-year duration in 15 trades (6 trades are affiliated to National Institute Of Open Schooling, and 9 trades to the State Council for Vocational Education). Present Student Strength is 350.
Outreach programmes of the Institute include Medical Assistance & consultation by specialists, for the poor including children and women of the neighbourhood, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, School for Dance and Culture for the neighbourhood children, Past Pupils' Association, Sunday Youth Centre for over 1000 neighbourhood children, Free Eye check-up and eye operation, Educational Sponsorship to 200 poor children, House building by the final year Civil Engineering Students, Shallow well for irrigation, promotion of Kitchen Garden, Base line Study for Block Development and promotion of SHGs, Out Reach Programme for Orissa in collaboration with OSDMA (Orissa State Disaster Mitigation Authority) and FAO - UNDP.