Childcare facilities for students
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has sustained this commitment for over 35 years through its Daycare and Creche Programs, offering reliable childcare at Manipal, Bengaluru, and MTMC Jamshedpur campuses. The flagship “Chiguru” Creche at the MIT campus, inaugurated on 4 July 2023 by Dr. Ranjan R. Pai, supports up to 39 children (8 months – 7 years) with theme-based rooms, CCTV-enabled parent monitoring, toddler parks, and developmental activities in partnership with the Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP) (Daijiworld report; sustainability.manipal.edu). Facilities operate from 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, with extended hours (7:30 AM – 6:00 PM) at Chiguru Creche, aligning with student schedules and reinforcing inclusive access.
MAHE’s daycare centres incorporate private breastfeeding booths, trained childcare staff, and activity-based learning spaces to support both infants and mothers. In July 2024, MSc Nursing students and faculty from MCON visited the Chiguru Creche to document hygiene and educational practices as part of a field learning module (Manipal News coverage). The centre’s design, developed by students from the Department of Civil Engineering, illustrates how inclusive infrastructure and academic collaboration reinforce sustainability in higher education (Daijiworld coverage).
Through accessible, affordable childcare and breastfeeding-friendly spaces, MAHE ensures that student mothers can pursue their studies with dignity and confidence. These initiatives directly advance SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), exemplifying how inclusive infrastructure underpins women’s empowerment and social sustainability.