The Community Engagement Initiative is a continuous engagement with the local and surrounding communities towards improving human conditions and sustainability around our campus with a deep commitment to strengthen public institutions and services. Engaging with communities towards social change can potentially add the component of praxis to theory. It is designed to expose students to a variety of contexts in which students work within the fields of development, in education, in public policy and with government agencies.
 

One of our primary works is strengthening the panchayat libraries. CEI has conducted some preliminary works at the libraries such as capacity building programmes, monthly reflection and planning meet, conducting events in the libraries/​schools, basic computer skills, setting up of children corners, on-site support, books arrangement and enhancing aesthetics in the neighbouring panchayat libraries as part of the overall engagement to activate these spaces for local children, youth and other community members. The objective is to activate these spaces of learning and make it a more vibrant place for the children. 

Based on their availability and prior consultation with the respective librarians student volunteers from Azim Premji University visit the Panchayat libraries at Yamare, Dommasandra, Handenahalli and Bidaraguppe usually during the weekends. Here, they engage with the children visiting the library and conduct various activities/​sessions such as academic support, storytelling and book reading sessions, arts and crafts, celebrating important national days, etc.