Latest news with #KnowledgeSystemsofKerala
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
National seminar on diversity of traditional knowledge systems to be held
Higher Education Minister R. Bindu has announced that a national seminar focussing on the diversity of traditional knowledge systems spread across the subcontinent will be soon organised. Presiding over the governing body meeting of the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) here on Friday, Dr. Bindu said the seminar would be conducted in connection with the Knowledge Systems of Kerala course introduced by the council for four-year undergraduate programmes in State-run universities. Industry-academia ties The meeting also constituted a committee comprising Kerala State Planning Board member Jiju P. Alex, former Mahatma Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor Sabu Thomas and former APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Vice-Chancellor Rajasree M.S. to prepare comprehensive guidelines and action plans for industry-academia collaborations. The meeting also approved a plan of action prepared on the basis of discussions held at the recent International Conclave on Next-Gen Higher Education. It also recommended steps to address the delay in providing equivalency and recognition for degrees awarded by the Sree Narayana Guru Open University. K-REAP The implementation of the K-REAP programme at Kannur, Sanskrit, Malayalam and Calicut Universities was reviewed. It was also decided to expedite the transition of other universities to the K-REAP software system. The governing body also resolved to operationalise the internship portal 'Internship Kerala 1.0', developed in collaboration with Keltron, by August. Various public sector organisations and local self-government institutions will be linked to the portal. KSHEC vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal, member secretary Rajan Varughese and Principal Secretary of the Higher Education department Sharmila Mary Joseph were present.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Textbook on Indian knowledge systems in Calicut varsity: decision left to V-C
Even as classes for undergraduate (UG) students began in colleges affiliated to the University of Calicut on June 2, a decision is yet to be taken on following the textbook on Indian knowledge systems prepared by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC). The multidisciplinary course is mandatory for third-semester students in the four-year programme. According to official sources, a steering committee on UG courses, which met last week, has left the decision to the Vice-Chancellor (V-C). There was some confusion among a section of teachers about the course after the KSHEC recently brought out the textbook titled Knowledge Systems of Kerala, because the university had already prepared its own syllabus on this much before. The KSHEC released its publication in both English and Malayalam, covering Kerala's traditional knowledge, including its performing arts, oral narratives, cultural practices, and documented literary sources. V-Cs of universities were requested to direct their Boards of Studies to consider this as a foundational resource for course design and syllabus preparation. However, some teachers had claimed it was 'an infringement' on the authority of the statutory academic bodies that are tasked with curriculum development. They pointed out that the syllabus prepared by the university for the course on Kerala Knowledge Systems in 2024 was in line with the National Education Policy framework. It had been vetted by the academic council and the faculty members, too. Also, textbooks had been prepared and classes had begun based on the syllabus prepared by the university. It was claimed that prescribing a uniform syllabus that will have to be taught in translation by the departments of English, Malayalam, Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, and other languages was against the concept of academic autonomy.
The Hindu
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Textbook on knowledge systems: Calicut varsity to take decision on June 11
The University of Calicut is expected to take a decision soon on whether to follow Knowledge Systems of Kerala, the textbook brought out by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) as the compulsory multi-disciplinary course of the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP), or use its own syllabus prepared for the purpose. A senior official told The Hindu on Sunday (June 8, 2025) that a steering committee for undergraduate courses would meet on June 11 to discuss the issue. The course is mandatory for third-semester students. The KSHEC's publication in English and Malayalam covers Kerala's traditional knowledge, including cultural practices, oral narratives, performing arts, and documented literary sources. Vice-Chancellors of State universities were requested to direct their Boards of Studies to consider it a foundational resource for course design and syllabus preparation. A section of academics, however, had objected to the council imposing the textbook on universities, saying it was an infringement on the authority of the statutory academic bodies tasked with curriculum development. Meanwhile, in a letter to Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran, Senate member Abida Farooqui sought to clear the confusion over the issue. She pointed out that the university's Board of Studies had prepared the syllabus for the Kerala Knowledge Systems course in line with the National Education Policy framework in 2024. It was later vetted by the Academic Council and faculty members. Ms. Farooqui claimed that prescribing a uniform syllabus—one that would have to be taught in translation by the departments of English, Malayalam, Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, and other languages—went against the grain of academic autonomy. She said that textbooks had already been prepared and classes had begun based on the university's syllabus. Ms. Farooqui added that the university should proceed with its own syllabus and inform the council of its decision.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Minister R. Bindu releases Knowledge Systems of Kerala
Higher Education Minister R. Bindu formally released Knowledge Systems of Kerala, a textbook introduced by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), at a function held here on Thursday. The Minister presented the first copy of the book to Mar Ivanios College Principal Meera George. The event featured an introduction to the book by KSHEC vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal. Member secretary Rajan Varughese spoke on the occasion. The publication serves as an introductory outline of the indigenous knowledge systems that have evolved over centuries in Kerala. It encompasses a wide range of topics such as art forms, cultural practices, oral traditions, and documented knowledge in written texts. The book contains nine thematic chapters and is available in both English and Malayalam. It has been developed as a key resource for the multidisciplinary courses offered in the third semester of the four-year undergraduate programme. (EOM)
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KSHEC's new textbook on Kerala's knowledge systems sparks objections from teacher bodies
A new textbook proposed by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) as a mandatory course for third-semester undergraduate students has drawn objections from academic quarters, particularly Left-aligned teacher organisations. Titled Knowledge Systems of Kerala, the textbook is intended as a compulsory multidisciplinary course of the four-year undergraduate programme. However, critics argue that the council is overstepping its bounds by infringing on the authority of statutory academic bodies in universities that are mandated with curriculum development. KSHEC maintains that the textbook offers an introductory framework on Kerala's indigenous knowledge systems, developed over centuries. According to council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal P.M., the bilingual publication (in English and Malayalam) brings together a wide spectrum of Kerala's traditional knowledge, encompassing performing arts, cultural practices, oral narratives and documented literary sources. The book comprises nine chapters, covering themes such as regional knowledge systems, traditional knowledge of ethnic communities, embedded knowledge in crafts and architecture, Ayurvedic practices, and the emergence of new knowledge in the State. Chapters highlighting the contributions of social reformers like Sree Narayana Guru, Ayya Vaikundar and Poykayil Yohannan are among the key features of the textbook. While the publication aligns with the University Grants Commission's (UGC) directive to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems into higher education curricula, the council insists that the proposed content is tailored to Kerala's regional context, offering students locally grounded perspectives within the national framework. The Vice-Chancellors of State universities have been requested to direct their respective Boards of Studies to consider the textbook as a foundational resource for course design and syllabus preparation. The council has also encouraged universities to adopt this textbook in place of existing multidisciplinary courses such as Kerala Studies and Kerala Culture. However, Left-leaning teacher bodies have raised concerns over what they describe as a lack of consultation prior to the decision. They argue that the proposed text leans heavily on historical narratives, while neglecting other significant dimensions of Kerala's diverse traditions and legacy. Countering such allegations, Prof. Gurukkal pointed out the course is not confined to any one academic discipline. He added that the book is structured as a complete course, with clearly defined learning outcomes and reference materials that would reduce the burden of universities to develop such content independently. KSHEC plans to organise a faculty development programme to train teachers in delivering the new course material.
