Ashoka University, O.P. Jindal Global University and Shiv Nadar University co-hosted a conference titled ‘The Future of Liberal Arts in India 2015’recently. Organized in collaboration with Carleton College, Yale-NUS, Claremont McKenna College, Pomona College, the Raman Research Institute and the University of Chicago Centre in New Delhi, the conference brought together senior leaders and faculty of higher education from institutions across India and the world.
The thought leaders discussed the challenges and opportunities for high quality teaching, scholarship and research for the liberal arts and sciences in India. The three-day conference focused on topics such as – ‘Cultural trends in India – reconciling traditional and modern India’, ‘Innovative Approaches to Higher Education in the Humanities and Arts’, ‘Innovative Curriculum in Social Science and Sustainability’, ‘How Liberal Arts can foster Global Connections and Collaboration’, ‘Approaches of teaching and learning in research universities in India’.
C.Rajkumar, Vice Chancellor, Jindal Global University said, “Emphasis on engineering and medical education is so huge that the challenge is to break through this thinking. A course in liberal arts instills values.”
Rupamanjari Ghosh, Director, School of Natural Sciences and Dean of Research & Graduate Studies at Shiv Nadar University said, “The Liberal Studies curriculum offers flexibility to students to choose from multiple electives which help enhance their learning and engagement. The flexibility is essential for future readiness of students and equips them to face a very challenging future outside.”
