69th Colloquium lecture of Panjab University delivered by noted educationist 

Chandigarh, September 4, 2023: The 69th Colloquium lecture of Panjab University was delivered by the noted educationist Professor Santoshi Halder from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal.  Professor Halder spoke on Educational Transformations.  She attempted to churn the thought process related to the present education scenario and highlighted the need for this sector to reimagine and reinvent itself keeping in view the overall goals of creating a sustainable, inclusive and equitable society.  She quoted from J. Krishnamurti’sbook,  “Whole Movement of Life is Learning” whereby the aim of education’s to create an integrated individual who co exists with others amicably, peacefully and with love.  Professor Halder elucidating on the transformational process highlighted the following aspects, one, emotion based pedagogy which would enable learners to thrive in complex social group;  two, experiential learning giving the example of the successful ‘Hole on the walls’ School project experiment by Sugatra Mitra, a physicist in New Delhi; three global citizenship education; three strengths focused education and lastly from eugenicsto recognizingneurodiversity.  Professor Halder who also provides behaviour intervention services, especially to people with autism spectrum disorder talked about her experiences in this field.  The thrust of the speaker’s argument was to include the selected and  marginalized communities into the educational fold and cater to the diversities, talents and creativities of students rather than treat education as a broad homogenous category which is neither integrated, sustainable or inclusive.

Professor Rumina Sethi, Dean University Instruction, Panjab University gave the concluding remarks.   She eloquently summed up the basic premises of   Professor Halder’s lecture.  Professor Sethi stressed on the multiple layers, meanings and perspectives that are encoded in the process of learning.  The reading between the lines and nuances of every subject are important.  The Dean University Instruction ended her remarks by praising the holistic educational vision of Rabindernath Tagore when he established Vishva-Bharti at Shantiniketan in 1921.  The formal vote of thanks was proposed by Professor Monica Munjial Singh, Coordinator, Panjab University, Chandigarh.  The Colloquium was well attended by students, scholars and faculty members at various departments of Panjab University.