The School of Liberal Arts, Uttaranchal University, organized a one-week Faculty Development Program on Indian Knowledge System and Education: A Roadmap for a Viksit Bharat from 2 July 2024 to 8 July 2024. The program commenced with an inaugural session featuring virtual lamp lighting by Prof (Dr) Dharam Buddhi, Vice Chancellor, Uttaranchal University, Prof (Dr) Shravan Kumar, Dean, School of Liberal Arts, and Dr Nagendra Kumar, IIT Roorkee, a resource person for the session.
Dr Reeta Rautela, HoD, SLA delivered a welcome note followed by the aims and objectives of the FDP delivered by Ms Malika Payal. Prof Shravan Kumar highlighted the importance of the Indian Knowledge System by narrating incidents from the Valmiki Ramayana. Dr Kumar stressed the value of referring to our roots to enrich and enhance our understanding. Prof Dharam Buddhi addressed the participants by emphasizing integrating traditional fundamentals with contemporary technological and educational systems.
Dr Nagendra Kumar led the first technical session on ‘Understanding IKS: Scope and Challenges,’ highlighting the relevance of traditional education in modern classrooms. On the second day, Dr Pijus Kanti Pal from Division of IKS, Ministry of Education discussed "Universal Human Values," emphasizing concepts such as ‘dharma,’ ‘satyam,’ and ‘śaucam.’ Dr Parul Dixit led the third day’s session on "विधि का शासन और भारतीय ज्ञान परंपरा," discussing the significance of Bhartiya Sanskriti and Shastra and the concept of ‘Akhand Bharat.’ The fourth day featured Dr Neelam Sheoliha, who critiqued the current education system and proposed solutions. On the fifth day, Dr Kalyan Chattopadhyay discussed "Indian Methodology of Construction of Scientific and Theoretical Texts," focusing on Sanskrit texts and ‘tantrayukti.’ Dr Sandeep K. Pandey concluded the sessions on the sixth day with a discussion on "Mental Health in Indian Knowledge Tradition," linking traditional beliefs with mental health awareness.
The program ended with a valedictory session graced by Prof (Dr) Rajesh Bahuguna, Pro Vice- Chancellor, Uttaranchal University, who praised SLA to underscore the importance and execution of IKS in the curriculum. Ms Malika Payal coordinated the FDP under the guidance of Prof (Dr) Shravan Kumar.
