The Social Action Programme, conceived, proposed and implemented by NISWASS covers areas of non-formal education, health and sanitation, income generation, skill formation, awareness building as also organising the under-privileged. From micro-action we germinate ideas, models and strategies, each tested through a small activity, linked to the prime objective of developing the poor and the downtrodden.We have, however, made a beginning in the voluntary sector and we would invite all to join us in this effort at reflecting, debating and working.

Field work is an integral part of social work training and it occupies a significant place in the curriculum for social work education at the Institute. The basic objective of the field work programme is to help the students gain experience in real life situation where social intervention is required, develop skills of working for and with people, inculcate attitudes appropriate to the profession and enhance the capacity to integrate theory into practice.

Attainment of these objectives is deemed most important in preparing for responsible positions as social work functionaries. The students are exposed to both community and agency settings. They are placed in slums and habitations of leprosy -affected people and in welfare and service agencies in both the Government and NGO sectors, like hospitals, rehabilitation centres, agencies working for the physically and mentally handicapped viz. deaf and dumb, blind, mentally retarded, spastics etc.

While working in communities the students learn the finer points in rapport-building, understanding the living pattern and socio-economic conditions of people

Advocacy and campaign

A number of seminars and workshops have been organised by the Department in the past few years. In the current year, a seminar on "Media and Human Development in Orissa" was held in collaboration with FES and AMIC-India during June 9th and 10th 2006. The deliberations in the seminar focussed on the Major sub-themes viz sustainable human development and role of media, role of media in women and child development, tribal and dalit aspirations, human development concerns. Intellectuals from different fields of Media, Academics. Bureaucrats, Members of voluntary orgnisations participated in the discussions.

Alliances and networking

The department of Social Communication is actively seeking alliances with different organizations, working in the field of development communication. In the past few years the FES and AMIC-India have supported different endeavours set up by the department viz. the training of grassroot Journalist and more recently the seminars on, Media and Democracy, June 2005 and Media and Human Development in Orissa, June 2006. Besides this year, the National Centre for Advocacy Studies, Pune, Maharastra  also conducted a two-day workshop on Advocacy Journalism for the Students of Social Communication. The Department has also alliances with reputed media organisations and NGOs for the placement of Social-Communication students.

The Social-Communication Alumunai association has been activated. The members of this association apart form maintaining programme related contact with the department, congregate annually to discuss common problems and prospects.

Ambedkar Chair

The Ambedkar foundation has installed at Niswass the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chair of social work in the year 1995.The Basic objective is to provide a well equiped centre of learning of intelictual as well as academics and facilitate scholars to undertake research for understanding, assessing and disseminating the idea and thoughts of Ambedkar for them to develop appropriate methodologies to translate his dreams into reality and his ideas into action.

Since its inception the chair has been actively engaged in various programmes which includes lectures, researches, seminars,workshops, study group and translation of writings as well as speeches of BABA SAHEB.The chair also intends to take up some action programmes and training modules for social animation and peoples mobilisation towards liberated civil societies.