Apeejay Stya University Rotaract leaders explore new avenues for service and leadership at Utkarsh

Student leaders of the Rotaract Club of Apeejay Stya University (RACASUG) represented the University at “Utkarsh – Presidents’ & Secretaries’ Learning Seminar: From Member to Leader”, a district-level leadership and capacity-building programme. 

Representing Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Gurugram were Rtr. Philip J. Dolo, President designate; Rtr. Som Sarth, Vice-President designate; Rtr. Aryan Pandey, Secretary designate; and Rtr. Dikshita Sarkar, Joint-Secretary designate of RACASUG.

Organised by the Rotaract District Organization and designed for Presidents and Secretaries of Rotaract clubs, the seminar focused on strengthening young leaders’ practical understanding of club management, district engagement, reporting and documentation, service projects, international relations, membership development, recognition systems and leadership responsibilities.

The sessions were facilitated by experienced district leaders, including PDRR Rtn. Rtr. Sarthak Bansal, PHF Rtn. Rtr. Archit Bhatia, Anmol Chhawla, Himanshu, Shefali and Sarthak Manchanda. A key message emerging from the seminar was that the true measure of Rotaract extends beyond the number of activities organised or recognitions received; it lies in creating meaningful and measurable impact for beneficiaries.

The ASU delegation gained valuable insights into Rotary and Rotaract values, the Four-Way Test, the seven Areas of Focus, avenues of service, membership growth and retention, inter-club collaboration, public image, district participation and systematic documentation of service initiatives.

RACASUG Envisions a Larger Role in ‘Mission 3011’

A significant learning opportunity for the ASU team was its exposure to the proposed “MISSION 3011” District Blood Leadership initiative. Under the model described during the programme, RACASUG is proposed to serve as a district-level coordination and ownership hub, subject to the official declaration of results by the District Leadership.

The initiative envisages coordinating nine Blood Leadership Circles, connecting more than 70 Rotaract Clubs and 2,500 active Rotaractors, with the collective objective of mobilising and verifying 3,011 blood units. Importantly, RACASUG’s proposed role would be that of a coordination and ownership hub rather than the sole implementing club, offering ASU students an opportunity to contribute to a large-scale collaborative service initiative.

The seminar also enabled the delegation to interact with neighbouring and zonal clubs, strengthen professional networks, connect with Rotary and Rotaract leadership, and explore possibilities for joint service projects. Sessions on international services introduced participants to avenues such as RIDE, RICE, Letterhead Exchanges and Sister Club Agreements.

Following the seminar, RACASUG identified priorities for the 2026–27 Rotary year, including stronger project reporting, enhanced district and international engagement, meaningful collaborations, membership orientation and retention, professional networking and greater emphasis on measurable community impact.

The Club has also envisaged an annual project portfolio aligned with Rotary International’s seven Areas of Focus, featuring initiatives such as Campus Peace Dialogue, Mission 3011 Blood Donation, WASH Awareness Drive, Health & Wellness Outreach, Teach for Tomorrow, Youth Employability & Entrepreneurship, and the Green ASU Sustainability Campaign.

The participation reflected Apeejay Stya University’s commitment to nurturing socially responsible leaders through experiential learning, community engagement and youth-led service. The student leaders expressed their gratitude to Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education,   Dr. Neha Berlia, Lead – Education Vertical, Apeejay Education, and Pro-Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University; and Prof. (Dr.) Vijay Vir Singh, Vice Chancellor for their leadership and mentoring.

The experience aptly captured the spirit: “From Member to Leader. From Participation to Ownership. From Projects to Impact.”