Launch of UNESCO Chair, and Symposium on the Theme of “Community-based Research” on Dec. 10

The UNESCO Chair on Community-based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education has been mandated by UNESCO to promote the practice of community-based research with a view to strengthen the linkages between communities and institutions of higher education. In the above context Society for Participatory Research in Asia in collaboration with the Department of Social Work, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi are organizing the launch of UNESCO Chair on community-based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education and a symposium on this theme.

It has been arranged that Dr. Budd Hall at University of Victoria, Canada and Dr. Rajesh Tandon, Society for Participatory Research in Asia, New Delhi are co-chairs, in a unique south-north partnership between academia and civil society.

The inaugural session of the symposium will be held from 10.30 AM onwards on December 10^th, 2012 in Dayar-i-Mir Taqi Mir, Adjacent to the Administrative Block, Jamia Millia Islamia. On this occasion, Vice Chancellor Mr. Najeeb Jung will deliver a Special Address. Special Addresses will also be delivered by Mr Shigeru Aoyagi, Director & UNESCO Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives & Sri Lanka UNESCO Office, New Delhi; Dr. Dave Turpin, President, University of Victoria, Canada; His Excellency Mr Stewart Beck, Canadian High Commissioner to India.

Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India will be the chief guest of the programme.

Post lunch, there will be a panel discussion on ‘Fostering Social Responsibility in Higher Education in India’ which will be chaired by Dr. Sayeda Hameed, Member of the Planning Commission. The Panelists include: Prof. Pankaj Mittal, Vice Chancellor, BPS Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Sonepat; Prof Devi Prasad, Former Director, Centre for Social Studies, Surat; and Dr Azra Abidi, Department of Sociology, Jamia Millia Islamia.

All are cordially invited.