Central University of Kashmir holds lecture on ‘Igniting Minds, Empowering Bharat: The True Power of Education’

GANDERBAL: Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) organised an inspiring expert lecture titled “Igniting Minds, Empowering Bharat: The True Power of Education” as part of its ongoing 100-days capacity building/faculty induction programme for newly appointed teachers at the Tulmulla campus here Friday.

The programme was convened by Prof. Sandhya, Coordinator, of the induction Programme, who welcomed the guest including, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, senior officers, faculty members and participants.

In her address, Prof. Sandhya expressed gratitude to the keynote speaker, Shri B. R. Shankaranand, Akhil Bharatiya Sangathan Mantri, Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal, for accepting the University's invitation to interact with the newly appointed teachers. She said the presence of such a distinguished personality provided an important opportunity for the faculty members to enrich their experiences, broaden their academic perspectives and understand the larger dimensions of the teaching profession.

She highlighted the vision of India emerging as Vishwaguru and underlined the pivotal role of teachers and educational institutions in realising this aspiration. Prof. Tiwari also referred to the role of the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal in contributing towards imparting education embedding with ‘Bharatiya parampara’, values and bharatiyata. She reiterated the importance organic and conceptual pedagogical approach through programs like Nadi ko Jaao, Pariwar baane pathshala, RFRF etc

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, highlighted the University's continuing efforts to keep pace with the rapidly changing national and global educational scenario and said that varsity has been consciously working towards creating an academic ecosystem responsive to the aspirations of contemporary learners and the emerging requirements of society.

He emphasised that the University has taken significant steps towards the implementation of the NEP-2020, particularly with regard to academic flexibility, student engagement, curriculum review, youth upliftment and learner-centred approaches to higher education. He highlighted competency-based education, skill development, reskilling and upskilling, design thinking, innovation, student engagement and the promotion of Indian Knowledge Systems as important areas of contemporary higher education. The Vice-Chancellor also underscored the importance of empowering young people through education and providing them with an academic environment that encourages creativity, inquiry, innovation and responsible citizenship.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri B. R. Shankaranand emphasised that teachers must dream and thereafter make sustained and determined efforts to translate those dreams into reality. He called upon teachers to work with dedication and commitment, stating that they must continuously strive towards the realisation of their educational and national aspirations.

Shri Shankaranand emphasised that the responsibility of a teacher goes far beyond the transmission of information or completion of a syllabus. He urged teachers to move beyond the philosophy of merely “live and let live” and instead embrace the larger responsibility of “live and make others live”, by creating opportunities for the growth, development and empowerment of others.

He stressed that a teacher must remain a lifelong learner and that learning should ultimately lead to giving. The speaker emphasised the importance of Yoga in contemporary education and suggested that Yoga should form an integral part of the academic environment of the CUKashmir for promoting the physical growth, mental peace and holistic well-being of students, scholars and faculty members. The session was moderated by Dean School of Business Studies, Prof. Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani, who also proposed the vote of thanks.