Interdisciplinary Refresher Course on Indian Knowledge System

Chandigarh, July 8, 2025: Interdisciplinary Refresher Course on Indian Knowledge System (IKS) concluded at Panjab University.
As many as 45 faculty members of colleges and universities from seventeen states – from Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, MP, and Rajasthan to West Bengal and Meghalaya attended the two weeks refresher course organised by the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTC) of Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Vice Chancellor of JC Bose University of Science and Technology, Faridabad, Prof. SK Tomar addressed the valedictory function. Prof. Tomar said that the experiential learning taking place during the course in face -to -face format is highly effective and there is much hidden learning when people come together. He also said that the task of the teacher does not end at idea-exchange but the ideas have to be manifested as tangible actions for robust implementation in the classrooms. Only then the cycle of giving back to the society is completed.
Prof. Kapil Kapoor, former chairperson of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS), Shimla and former pro-Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University who joined the session online in his address highlighted the uninterrupted knowledge tradition of India and analogised it with a river which is dynamic and static simultaneously. He said that ours was a knowledge centred civilization, a Jeeva centric culture and not a ‘God-centric’ tradition. He motivated the participants to explore the various dimensions of Indian Knowledge System (IKS) by reflecting on the concepts of God, man, time, beings, nature, realty and core values.
The professional development programme trained the participants to critically think about the ideas embodied in the IKS and to think for themselves the significance of engagement with IKS. The programme included deliberations with experts on themes such as knowledge system of the Sikhi, traditional ecological knowledge, critical thinking in IKS, democratic tradition, the Panchatantra, health and health care in IKS etc, visits to the Govt. museum, Chandigarh and Virasat-E-Khalsa, Sri Anandpur Sahib for expential learning, panel discussions and debates. The participants appreciated the thoughtful curation of the programme.