Anant National University and Penn GSE Host ICERM 2025 to Develop India-based Indigenous Research Project
Anant National University & Penn GSE Host ICERM 2025 to Develop India-based Indigenous Research Project
The convening marked a significant step in advancing Indigenous Consciousness Methodologies, an approach that honours local knowledge systems, prioritises community-engaged practices and fosters sustainable, equitable educational frameworks. Through ICER, set to be launched for the academic year 2025-2026, Anant aims to inform the design and development of education policy by ensuring that Indigenous perspectives remain central to shaping impactful and culturally responsive learning models.
This initiative is closely aligned with the vision outlined in India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for inclusive, locally grounded education models that preserve and promote indigenous knowledge systems.
Launching the convening, Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi, Provost, Anant National University, observed, 'Anant National University is a diverse and dynamic institution on the move where creative ideas evolve into purposeful action and where students learn to lead meaningful change in our rapidly changing world. Indigenous knowledge forms an integral part of our design pedagogy, and this convening perfectly aligns with our educational philosophy that integrates indigenous knowledge and contemporary design practices.'
Dr Leland S McGee, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Penn GSE and Senior Associate Director,GSE Office of Student Success, University of Pennsylvania and a SCoPE Scholar at Anant National University, said, 'Indigenous knowledge systems are often associated with only the tribal communities. However, they form an integral part of the traditional knowledge of countless communities across the world. Through this convening, we aim to explore how indigenous knowledge and its impact can help us better design education, policy and systems for the betterment of future generations.'
'The intent of the convening was to interrogate, expose and undo the dangers and desires of colonisation in education through indigenous consciousness. We focused on bringing all the stakeholders of education into conversation, including policy-makers, teachers, researchers and students. Collectively, we aspire to contribute to creating an educational framework that listens deeply, acts justly and honours all,' added Dr Diti Vyas, Associate Professor | School of Creative Practices and Entrepreneurship (SCoPE), Anant National University.
The convening advances Anant's collaboration with Penn GSE, expanding efforts in global education innovation. Anant and Penn GSE previously hosted The Future of Learning Collaborative in 2023, which led to the launch of an influential White Paper as an urgent call to redesign the global education system in response to sweeping changes that are reshaping human existence.
Through the ongoing partnership, the two universities foster cooperative research, facilitate international exchanges, enhance the quality of learning, extend the reach of both institutions and collaborate on the exchange of academic materials and initiatives that advance matters of mutual academic interests.
A leading Ivy League institution, the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) has a century-long tradition of producing education leaders driven by innovation, research and social impact. Penn GSE actively partners with schools, universities and communities around the world to improve educational access and equity.
As part of its mission to promote global engagement in all its forms, the University of Pennsylvania, through Penn Global, administers a competitive global engagement grant programme. This initiative provides resources to faculty and staff to support a broad range of research, teaching, service and engagement activities both globally and in specific focus countries and regions.
With this convening, Anant has taken another major step toward equitably inclusive education, ensuring that Indigenous knowledge systems receive due recognition and representation in research and policy discourse. This effort reinforces Anant's vision to drive innovative, locally relevant education methodologies and materials rooted in India's vibrant local cultures, regional diversities and national aspirations.
About Anant National University
Anant National University, India's premier design university, is dedicated to training students to devise solutions for global problems. The X in Design X is the symbol drawn from mathematics, representing enhancement. This new learning approach multiplies traditional design pedagogy with liberal arts disciplines, emerging technologies and knowledge drawn from hands-on community experiences to help understand our world better and to devise impactful solutions.
Our multidisciplinary undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in design, architecture, climate action and visual arts harness knowledge from various disciplines and traditional practices to integrate it with cutting-edge technology to address diverse challenges. We train our designers to become solutionaries – revolutionary thinkers with a solution-oriented mindset.
Anant National University has been recognised as the Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat, highlighting our efforts to provide our students with world-class education, innovative pedagogy, high employability and enhanced entrepreneurial and research opportunities. Anant has also received the prestigious '5-Star Rating' in the category of Architecture and a '4-Star Rating' in the University category in the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023-24. These recognitions reinforce our commitment to creating a world-class institution of great eminence and excellence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Sr Soren distributed lanterns, slates to spread education'
Tundi: Sixty-eight-year-old Bahamuni Murmu, who cooked for Shibu Soren in the early 1970s at his Tundi-based ashram in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district, recalled his initial struggle for the upliftment of tribals and underprivileged people. Shibu had also opened a night school in Pokharia village in Tundi to educate tribals and the poor. "Guruji lived in the ashram for about three years. After that, he stopped coming. I used to prepare food for him at the ashram. He had simple dietary habits, usually eating roti and sabji," said Murmu, who still resides at the ashram with her family. She recalled that Guruji distributed lanterns, chalk, and slate boards among villagers so that tribal children could study at night. "He also taught villagers at night, as they worked in the fields during the day," said Murmu. Another villager, Phoolmani Devi, 67, said, "Guruji distributed agricultural equipment such as spades and other tools and encouraged youths to take up farming." Devi said Shibu had launched the 'Dhankatni' (paddy harvest) movement in the village. "Previously, moneylenders would seize farmers' harvests when they failed to repay loans. Shibu decided that farmers should harvest their paddy themselves without handing it over to moneylenders," she added. pti
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Experts' warnings on footfall & soil health for Mahabodhi tree ignored
1 2 Gaya: While several expert recommendations for preserving the health of the sacred Mahabodhi tree, revered by millions of Buddhists and others globally, have been effectively implemented, two crucial measures remain unaddressed – restricting visitor footfall to reduce soil compaction and replacing marble tiles around the tree with porous sandstone ones. Both steps are considered essential to ensure the smooth absorption of nutrients by the tree's roots. The Mahabodhi tree symbolises Lord Buddha's enlightenment and his transformation from a wandering prince to a spiritual guide. Responsibility for monitoring the health of the revered tree was entrusted to the Dehradun-based Forest Research Institute (FRI) several years ago, following a major health scare involving premature leaf fall and a mealybug infestation, a condition primarily linked to soil contamination. Since then, plant scientists from the FRI have conducted thorough health assessments every six months and remain on standby in case of any signs of abnormality. Earlier, experts including NSK Harsh and Subhash Nautiyal from the FRI made a series of recommendations. These included a complete ban on the burning of oil lamps and incense sticks in the tree's proximity, strict prohibition on touching the tree, especially for plucking leaves or tying threads for wish fulfilment, and replacing high-intensity electric bulbs with lower-intensity lighting. They also advised ensuring darkness during nighttime hours to aid respiration and facilitate photosynthesis. Other recommendations included limiting the number of visitors within the shrine at any one time to prevent crowding and soil compaction and replacing the non-porous marble flooring with porous sandstone tiles to improve water and nutrient absorption by the tree's roots. While several of these recommendations, such as bans on oil lamp and incense burning, protection from physical contact, allowing natural decomposition of fallen leaves, and replacing high-intensity lights, have been implemented, the two key suggestions on footfall limitation and flooring replacement have yet to be acted upon. During his tenure as ex-officio chairperson of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee, the then district magistrate, Abhishek Singh, had virtually ruled out limiting footfall. "So many people from different parts of the world visit Bodh Gaya to have a glimpse of the seat of Buddha's enlightenment and refusing them entry at their convenient time would not only hurt religious sentiments but also adversely impact Bodh Gaya's economy, which is almost entirely dependent on tourists and pilgrims," he had argued. When asked about the current status of these unimplemented recommendations, secretary of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee, Mahashweta Maharathi, said, "The recommendations must have been made before I took over as secretary. I will have to look into the files before making any comment on the issue."
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
2023 Titan implosion: US coast guard calls tragedy 'preventable'; points to systemic failures at OceanGate
The deadly 2023 implosion of the Titan submersible, which killed all five people on board during a dive to the Titanic wreck, was a 'preventable' tragedy, according to a new report released Tuesday by the US Coast Guard. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Titan, owned and operated by Washington-based private company OceanGate, imploded during a deep-sea expedition in the North Atlantic. All five people on board were killed, including Stockton Rush, OceanGate's CEO and the operator of the submersible. The incident triggered a massive search and rescue effort off the coast of Canada that drew global attention, but there were no survivors. The Coast Guard convened its highest level of investigation, a Marine Board of Investigation, in the aftermath of the disaster. Their final report pointed to significant failures in nearly every area of the Titan's operation, from its design to its day-to-day oversight, reported PBS News. Investigators found that the submersible's design, certification, maintenance, and inspection processes were all inadequate. A Coast Guard statement further cited a 'toxic workplace culture' within OceanGate and noted that the company's mission was hindered by a lack of both domestic and international regulatory frameworks for submersible operations. 'There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework,' said Jason Neubauer, of the Marine Board of Investigation as quoted by PBS News. 'The findings will help prevent future tragedies.' In the two years since the implosion, multiple OceanGate employees have come forward to support the Coast Guard's findings, describing unsafe practices and internal dysfunction at the company. The Titan disaster has since led to lawsuits and mounting pressure for tighter regulation of the rapidly growing private deep-sea expedition industry.
