and
International Seminar
on
Higher Education: Global Perspective and Indian Vision
December 25-27, 2009
4th-IBAM 2009 Programme & Theme New
Organized by
Alumni Cell
Banaras Hindu University
in association with
Mahamana Malaviya Mission
4th International BHU Alumni Meet (IBAM 2009)
Banaras Hindu University is a tribute to the vast vision, indomitable spirit and unflagging zeal of our founding father Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya Ji. It is a monument to his selfless service in the cause of Indian education. Mahamana dreamt of creating an ideal scheme of education which would serve the cause of nation building, rise above narrow sectarian interests, combine the best in western scientific methods with all that is good and great in our culture and promote a “broad liberation of mind and religious spirit”. Every alumnus who passes through the portals of this great institution carries these seeds of the timeless vision of Mahamana with him. Our alumni had over the years ardently desired a common platform where they could come together, renew links with their Alma Mater and reflect on how they can best propagate the lofty ideals of Mahamana. Consequently the 1st International BHU Alumni Meet was held in 2001 at New Delhi followed by the 2nd International BHU Alumni Meet organized in 2004 at Mumbai. An emotional turning point was reached when the 3rd International BHU Alumni Meet (IBAM 2007) was hosted at the Karmasthali of Mahamana by Banaras Hindu University in association with Mahamana Malaviya Mission. This marked the inception of a new phase of intensive Alumni-Alma Mater interactions. IBAM 2007 was instrumental in providing fresh impetus to alumni related activities both at the university level as well as that of the various individual units. This momentum was sustained in the subsequent years with the organization of a Regional Meet followed by a National Meet of our alumni at the university level. The 4th International BHU Alumni Meet (IBAM 2009) is being held on December 25-27, 2009 on the campus of your Alma Mater in the same spirit of dedication and harmony which marked the earlier reunions.
International Seminar on
"Higher Education: Global Perspective and Indian Vision"
Higher education is the basic building block in the creation of an inclusive, equitable and diverse knowledge society. This is particularly true in today’s world where knowledge is gradually emerging as the primary production resource. The new realities of 21st century however have given birth to a host of complex issues and challenges in higher education like internationalization, privatization, quality assurance, governance, fostering of research and innovation, competition for scarce human and financial resources etc. The Indian higher education system cannot afford to insulate itself from these changes. At the same time it should be able to meet the expectations and challenges of an increasingly globalizing world without endangering local culture and values. Every care should be taken to ensure that the objectives of higher education do not become subservient to the forces of the market.
The Indian vision of education has always encouraged plurality of views as well as a rich tradition of dialogue and debate. Banaras Hindu University symbolizes this heritage of acceptance, integration and realization of the essential unity of mankind while at the same time preserving our unique identity. As the scientist seer Sir J.C. Bose observed in his homage on the 70th birth anniversary of Mahamana, “The Hindu University will always be a monument of the faith which inspired Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya in his life long work for founding the great centre of learning at Benaras for the advancement of world’s knowledge. To be organic and vital, the university must stand primarily for self expression and for winning for India her true place in the Intellectual Federation of Nations”.
This International Seminar is an effort by Banaras Hindu University in the direction of proposing a model of higher education which would address the challenges of globalization without compromising on national priorities or Indian values. A separate concept paper from our side outlining the theme and sub themes of the seminar is available at our website