The 47th Indian Social Science Congress began at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) today.
Over 200 academicians and scholars of universities and colleges from across India are taking part in the five-day conference organised by the Indian Social Science Academy (ISSA).
The inaugural session was attended by former Secretary of Mining and Earth Sciences, Dr Vinod K Gaur. Addressing the gathering he praised the changes brought forth by the New Education Policy in universalisation of education and development of the structure of education.
He said the NEP has the potential for human development. However he lamented that India has more than thousand universities but none among them is in the top 50 universities of the world. “Looking at the present situation of the educational system, my concern is how and where have we failed?” he questioned.
General Secretary Indian Social Science Academy NP Choubey highlighted the objectives of the conference on the theme, “Science Education and Research in Swaraj India”.
He said that the main purpose of the conference is to reflect over Swaraj India’s achievements in the field of Science Education and Research in all subjects since August 15, 1947 till today and bring out as many volumes as possible in all Indian languages. The focus is on highlighting new methods, theories and new indigenous technology capable of making Swaraj India and its peoples Atmanirbhar, he added.
The presidential address was delivered by Indian Social Science Academy President Prof PK Sarkar wherein he suggested that the government could establish science centres in the villages of India.
Others present at the inaugural function were include Dr W Selvamurthy, Chancellor of Amity University Chattisgarh, NP Choubey, General Secretary ISSA, Prof GD Sharma, Vice Chancellor USTM and President Association of Indian Universities Prof PK Sarkar, President of ISSA Prof Amit Choudhary, Dean, School of Business Sciences USTM, apart from a galaxy of academicians and scholars.
The delegates also released a few publications at the conference.