CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The two-day seminar on Tribal Studies organised by Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University concluded today.
Professor Vivek Kumar of IIT Delhi addressed the valedictory session. He said there was a need for the vice-chancellors of the 10 universities present at the seminar, who had expressed their willingness to run courses on Tribal Studies, to first sign a memorandum of understanding with the Tribal Research and Knowledge Centre, New Delhi. This, he said, would enable them to receive the developed curriculum and other guidelines related to the development of study material, and help in preparing the necessary course material for Tribal Studies.
The seminar also reached a consensus that universities should form a group among themselves to promote Tribal Studies by assisting one another in developing various courses, study material and textbooks. It was also agreed that each university should establish a department or research centre for Tribal Studies and appoint a suitable experienced professor as the nodal officer. For this work, it would also be necessary to appoint research associates and research assistants with expertise in Tribal Studies, and each university would make these appointments according to its own Act.
It was agreed that the Tribal Research and Knowledge Centre would share with all universities a list of subject experts, so that the universities could seek their assistance in developing study material. Professor Kumar said that in the coming months, all universities would also have to constitute a Board of Studies on Tribal Studies.
The seminar stressed that Tribal Studies should first be introduced as a subject at the undergraduate level, after which postgraduate courses should be started. This would help in getting Tribal Studies included as a subject in the UGC NET. Experts from various universities also agreed that consideration should be given to starting a student exchange programme.
The seminar concluded with Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University Vice-Chancellor Professor Milind Dandekar’s resolve to start courses on Tribal Studies and with a vote of thanks.
Hashtags: #MadhyaPradesh #Bhopal #BhojOpenUniversity #TribalStudies #IITDelhi #ProfessorVivekKumar #UGCNET #TribalStudiesSeminarAt #MadhyaPradeshState #Desksource
