New Delhi: For the first time, over 85 senior academics from 39 countries, largely Heads of Departments teaching subjects of Indian Knowledge System will be coming together in an international meet organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) early next week in Delhi.
“This unique initiative named as Knowledge-India Visitors’ Programme and to be held on December 4-5, 2023, is aimed at discussing ways and means of promoting higher learning of Indian Knowledge System related issues all over the world”, Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President ICCR, said.
Dozens of universities abroad teach subjects of Indian Knowledge System like Hindi, Sanskrit or any other Indian language, Buddhist Studies, Indology or India Studies, Yoga, Ayurved and Indian Classical Music and Dance etc. However, many of these departments are facing several challenges like lack of adequate number of students, paucity of funds, absence of adequate number of good research material in local language etc. This conference, to be inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ayush and Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State, will deliberate upon these challenges and try to explore ways and means for facing them through collaborative efforts. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will be delivering valedictory address.
There will be a dedicated session for exploring decent career opportunities for these foreign students and to that end, representatives of Ministry of Tourism, AYUSH, Education and Culture, Ayurveda Drug Manufacturer Organisation, Indian Book Publishers association, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industries and similar other organisations too have been invited, Dr. Sahasrabuddhe informed.
“The programme will enable ICCR to (i) Hear out the problems and difficulties faced by the visiting heads of departments and academic scholars with a view to provide solutions; (ii) Create a networking platform of distinguished Indologists/HoDs/academic scholars to keep updated with latest developments in these areas; (iii) Create opportunities for Indian Universities and scholars to interact with foreign Indic studies scholars (iv) Create a model on Public Private collaboration to provide stimulus to Indic studies by engaging Industry such as Media, Publishing Houses, Tourism and Pharmacy as employment provider for the students of Indic studies; (v) Prepare a report and share it with line ministries for policy framework.
-global bihari bureau
