Prof: Home science is not just about sewing, cooking

New Delhi: From the mid 19th century, the journey of “home science” colleges has been remarkable. What started as finishing schools for the elite, have grown as institutes of higher learning, providing an array of professional opportunities. 

At present, home science is being offered in two premier DU colleges — Institute of Home Economics (IHE) and Lady Irwin College (LIC) — as a scientific discipline, which moulds a student with a variety of life skills.

The multidisciplinary course encompasses five specialisations, namely food and nutrition, hum-an development and childhood studies, fabric and apparel science, development communication and extension (DCE), resource management and design applications.

Both the colleges offer B.Sc. (Pass) and B.Sc. (Hons) programmes in the course. Lady Irwin Colle-ge has a B.Ed. program-me, especially in home science, for students to pursue the teaching profession. 

“Home science integrates the application of various sciences and humanities to enhance the human environment. It is a field of inter-disciplinary studies making use of the various domains of knowledge, namely physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences,” said Dr Geeta Punhani, the associate professor at the department of DCE in IHE. 

“Unfortunately, home science is a misnomer as it tends to get associated with domestic science. However, the myth surrounding the discipline, that it merely involves cooking and sewing, needs to be challenged. It is a well established professional discipline with various opportunities,” Ms Punhani said.