The Department of Youth Welfare was introduced with the establishment of Gujarat University in 1949. The objective to establish the section is to submit sound platform to the budding talents of the young students studying in different colleges affiliated with the Gujarat University. The Department of Youth Welfare was initially under the auspicious of the Department of Sports and Cultural activities. In 1980, the Department came into existence as a separate entity and bifurcated from the Sports Department.
Department of Youth Welfare organises Three Zonal (Ellisbridge North Zone, Ellisbridge South Zone & Ahmedabad City Zone) and Inter Zonal Youth Festival for the students of Gujarat University affiliated colleges during September and October months. There are 29 Events of Music, Dance, Literary, Theatre and Fine Arts organize in the youth festival. Approximately 3200 students participate in these above mentioned Zonal Youth Festival & Approximately 750 students participate in the Inter Zonal Youth Festival. The selected winners of the Inter Zonal Youth Festival represents Gujarat University at the West Zone Inter University Youth Festival organized by A.I.U. and then Winner of West Zone Inter University Youth Festival participate in National Inter University Youth Festival.
Every year, Gujarat University team participates in Kamal Nayan Bajaj Memorial National Inter University Elocution Competition at Shiksha Mandal, Wardha (Maharashtra) in January Month.
Gujarat University, Department of Youth Welfare organize Basic Mountaineering Camps & Advance Mountaineering Camp to the collaboration with Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Mountaineering Training Centre, Junagadh (Gujarat) or Swami Vivekanand Mountaineering Institute Mount Abu for the Students in the months of January & May. Basic & Advance Mountaineering course gives the opportunity to take first step towards one of the most thrilling sports of Adventure World, Rock Climbing and Mountaineering. They just don’t learn to climb those boulders and rocks physically but they also learn the theory and art of climbing, which make them realize rock as a living friend so they feel safe while they climb. Approximately 90 students participate in the Basic Mountaineering Camp & 30 students participate in the Advance Mountaineering Camp. Duration of Basic Mountaineering Camp is 10 Days & Advance Mountaineering Camp is 15 Day.
Gujarat University, Department of Youth Welfare organises Marine Camp at Beyt Dwarka in December-January Month and approximately 90 students participate in the Marine Camp. The Duration of Marine Camp is 4 Days & 3 Nights. The sea surrounding the campsite has rich algal beds. Over a hundred species of algae have been recorded in the area, with red algae predominating. The marine life that can be spotted during the camp includes sponges, jelly fish, sea feathers, sea anemones, bristle worms, corals, barnacles, crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers, marine turtles, sea snakes and dolphins.
Gujarat University, Department of Youth Welfare Organises Forest Camp in the month of January & May. The Duration of forest Camp is 4 Days & 3 Nights and approximately 90 students participate in the Forest Camp. The Camp involve activities like, Trekking, Rock Climbing, Bird Watching and Nature Games. The Local guides are masters of the Forest Craft.
Gujarat University, Department of Youth Welfare organize Himalaya Trekking (High Altitude Trek) in the month of May-June. The duration of the Camp is 7 to 10 days and approximately 30 students participate in the Himalaya Trekking (High Altitude Trek).
The Department of Youth Welfare is dedicated to fostering holistic development among students by providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership and cultural enrichment. Through diverse initiatives like mountaineering, desert, marine, forest and high-altitude camps, the department aims to build resilience, teamwork and a spirit of adventure. It also organizes youth festivals encompassing music, dance, literature, theatre, fine arts and short films, along with workshops to nurture talent and creativity. The department’s mission is to inspire and support students in becoming confident and responsible individuals.
Youth Welfare Department envisions becoming a hub for youth engagement and development, promoting cultural exchange, physical fitness, and artistic expression. The vision is to shape a vibrant and dynamic youth community that contributes to the cultural, social and moral well-being of the society.
Vision is to achieve the following aspect in student community through cultural and trekking activities are as under
With a view to facilitating organization of the Youth Welfare activities in the colleges affiliated to this University, the University region is divided into the following three areas, each comprising the colleges mentioned against them:
| No. | Year | Date | Place | Winner Name | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-18 | 15/12/2017 TO 19/12/2017 | Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur | Veliyat Rakhi Chitanand | Classical Dance | Third |
| Vasavada Ghata Rakshitbhai | Elocution | Second | ||||
| Soni Deval Manoj | One Act Play | Second | ||||
| Thakkar Chintan Bipinbhai | ||||||
| Gajera Ankit Prafulbhai | ||||||
| Rathod Upendra Karshanbhai | ||||||
| Vallakati Karan Jagannath | ||||||
| Rajput Ashish Premshankar | ||||||
| Mishra Divyesh Arunkumar | ||||||
| Nayak Surajkumar Arvindkumar | ||||||
| Modi Dolly Jainam | ||||||
| 2 | 2018-19 | 19/12/2018 TO 23/12/2018 | Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune | Chahal Paramveersingh Jagtarsingh | Elocution | Third |
| 3 | 2019-20 | 27/12/2019 TO 31/12/2019 | Uka Tarsadia University, Bardoli- Mahuva Road, Surat | Aishwarya Ashish Jain | Elocution | First |
| Jesal Navneet Shrimali | Classical Vocal | Second | ||||
| Akash Atulbhai Joshi | Classical Instrumental Solo (Non-Percusion) | Third | ||||
| 5 | 2020-21 & 2021-22 | Postponed due to COVID-19 | ||||
| 6 | 2022-23 | 10/02/2023 TO 14/02/2023 | Ganpat University, Mehsana, Gujarat | Shah Smiti Shitin | Western Instrumental Solo | First |
| Rank Drashti Dharmeshbhai | Installation | Third | ||||
| Lathiya Priyaben Sureshbhai | Installation | Third | ||||
| Vaghasiya Nandani Bhikhabhai | Installation | Third | ||||
| Bhuva Aahusi Sureshbhai | Installation | Third | ||||
| 7 | 2023-24 | 22/01/2024 TO 26/01/2024 | Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur | Khan Mohammed Arsalaan Shaukat | Classical Vocal Solo | Second |
| Panchal Akul Nayan | Classical Instrumental Solo (Non-Percusion) | Third | ||||
| Williams Santhosh D | Elocution | Third | ||||
| 8 | 2024-25 | 04/01/2025 TO 08/01/2025 | Ganpat University, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat | Patadia Kavya Hasmukhbhai | Western Vocal Solo | Third |
| Rakhecha Divya Vishnugopal | Classical Dance (Indian) | Third | ||||
| No. | Year | Date | Place | Winner Students / College Name | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-18 | 16/02/2018 TO 20/02/2018 | Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand | Soni Deval Manoj | One Act Play | First |
| Thakkar Chintan Bipinbhai | ||||||
| Gajera Ankit Prafulbhai | ||||||
| Rathod Upendra Karshanbhai | ||||||
| Vallakati Karan Jagannath | ||||||
| Rajput Ashish Premshankar | ||||||
| Mishra Divyesh Arunkumar | ||||||
| Nayak Surajkumar Arvindkumar | ||||||
| Modi Dolly Jainam | ||||||
| Vasavada Ghata Rakshitbhai | Elocution | Second | ||||
| Veliyat Rakhi Chitanand | Classical Dance | Third | ||||
| 2 | 2018-19 | 01/02/2019 TO 05/02/2019 | Chandigarh University, Mohali, Chandigarh | ----- | ----- | ----- |
| 3 | 2019-20 | 03/02/2020 TO 07/02/2020 | Amity University, Noida | ----- | ----- | ----- |
| 4 | 2020-21 (Postponed due to COVID-19) | |||||
| 5 | 2020-21 (Postponed due to COVID-19) | |||||
| 6 | 2022-23 | 24/02/2023 TO 28/02/2023 | Jain University, Bangalore | Shah Smiti Shitin | Western Instrumental Solo | First |
| Rank Drashti Dharmeshbhai | Installation | First | ||||
| Lathiya Priyaben Sureshbhai | Installation | First | ||||
| Vaghasiya Nandani Bhikhabhai | Installation | First | ||||
| Bhuva Aahusi Sureshbhai | Installation | First | ||||
| 7 | 2023-24 | 28/03/2024 TO 01/04/2024 | Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, Punjab | Khan Mohammed Arsalaan Shaukat | Classical Vocal Solo | Second |
| Panchal Akul Nayan | Classical Instrumental Solo (NP) | Second | ||||
| Williams Santhosh D | Elocution | Second | ||||
Gujarat University organises Basic & Advance Mountaineering Camp in collaboration with Swami Vivekanand Mountaineering Institute, Mount Abu & Pandit Din Dayal Upadhyay Mountaineering Institute, Junagadh for Gujarat University affiliated Colleges Students.
Only bonafide, full time student, who is enrolled for a degree or post graduates degree or diploma course, which is of a minimum duration of one academic year and whose examination is conducted by the University, can take part in the Basic & Advance Mountaineering Camp.
A famous course among the youth as young as 14 years and up to the Armed Forces which gives opportunity to take first step towards one of the most thrilling sports of adventure world, Rock Climbing and Mountaineering.
Trainees just don’t learn to climb those boulders and rocks physically but they also learn the theory and art of climbing, which make them realize rock as a living friend so they feel safe while they climb.
Trainees get thrill from vibrant jungle, wild life, mountains, lakes and caves by basic outward bound activities like morning exercise in a nature, trekking, night trekking, climbing, rappelling, camping, bird watching and slipping in the forest.
Cooking in a jungle, picking delicious fruits, duty at night, learning and developing ecofriendly behavior to conserve our precious jungles and mountains, they all make unforgettable experience of life just in these 10 days
Gujarat University affiliated colleges students can take part in the Marine Camp held at Beyt Dwarka in December-January Month. The sea surrounding the campsite has rich algal beds. Over a hundred species of algae have been recorded in the area, with red algae predominating. The marine life that can be spotted during the camp includes sponges, jelly fish, sea feathers, sea anemones, bristle worms, corals, molluscs, barnacles, crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers, marine turtles, sea snakes and dolphins. Winter brings migratory birds, too!
Activities: Living in jute shelters, exploring the seashore, group bathing, nature games, enjoying sunset, star-gazing, visiting coral reef, bivouacking for those who volunteer, talks on marine environment and a feedback session are integral part of the camp activities.
Gujarat University affiliated colleges students can take part in the Forest Camp. The Camp involve activities like, Trekking, Rock Climbing, Bird Watching and Nature Games. The Local guides are masters of the Forest Craft.
Gujarat University affiliated colleges students can take part in the Desert Camp. The Camp involve activities like, Trekking, Animal & Bird Watching, Salt Making Procedure and Natural Games. The Local guides are masters of the Desert Craft.
Himalaya High Altitude camp involves activities like, Trekking & Hiking. Participants are taught techniques like rope handling, basic climbing and navigation using maps and compasses. Overall, the Himalaya High Altitude Camp combines adventure with education, offering participants a transformative experience that enhances their physical, mental and social abilities while fostering deeper appreciation for nature.