SIKSHA 'O' ANUSANDHAN is bolstering the eduDESTINATION Index of Bhubaneshwar by furthering its footprints on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)...
Prof. Nachiketa Sharma entails on the SOA philosophy of Swadeshe Pujyate Raja, Bidwan Sarbtra Pujyate (ସ୍ୱଦେଶେ ପୂଜ୍ୟତେ ରାଜା, ବିଦ୍ୱାନ ସର୍ବତ୍ର ପୂଜ୍ୟତେ)
ସ୍ୱଦେଶେ ପୂଜ୍ୟତେ ରାଜା, ବିଦ୍ୱାନ ସର୍ବତ୍ର ପୂଜ୍ୟତେ Swadeshe Pujyate Raja, Bidwan Sarbtra Pujyate
Enumerate the USPs of the eduDESTINATION in which your Higher Education Institution is located? Why should the students from far off places consider your very eduDESTINATION?
Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha is known as the City of Temples. Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath is merely 65 kms from Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneswar is one among the three points of the Buddhist circuits. Dhauli Stupa, Khandagiri and Udayagiri Jaina caves make it the confluence of three primary religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Gobardhana Peetha is one among the four famous mathas Adi Shankaracharya established is in Puri. The Tibetan refugees reside at Jaring, another picturesque place. Bhubaneswar has still lot of scope for expansion. It is well connected by roads, rails and air. It is lush green. And it is one of the cleanest and smartest cities in the country. The climate of Bhubaneswar is pleasant, especially in the summer evenings due to cool breeze.
Many nationally reputed HEIs/Research Institutions are there like NISER, IIT, AIIMS, Institute of Life Sciences, IIIT, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Institute of Physics, NIFT, world-class private Universities like Siksha O Anusandhan, KIIT besides Utkal University, Ramadevi Women’s University. Bhubaneswar is peaceful and boasts of no major crimes. CIFA, CIPET provides industry-academic linkages.
In the last one-year SOA has developed into one of the vibrant centres for IKS (Indian Knowledge System) activities/research. Internship of varied months are available under many IKS schemes. Around Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Odia, Odia Bhasa Pratistan, Jayadev Bhawan, Rabindra Mandap a vibrant cultural life has developed. Puspagiri Mahavihara (inception circa 2nd century CE).
This Buddhist monastic ancient centre for Indian Higher Education is considered to be of the same calibre as Takshashila University. It is located atop the Langudi Hills in Jajpur district of Odisha. Ratnagiri (established circa 5th century CE) was an ancient residential Buddhist University that flourished along with Lalitgiri and Udaygiri, constituting the diamond triangle. It was a leading centre imparting lessons in tantric Buddhism. Located in and around Jajpur district with close proximity to the twin city of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
In what all ways has your eduBRAND augmented the brand of your city as an eduDESTINATION?
SOA has worked closely, hand in hand, years together with BSCL (Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited), UNFPA and BMC (Bhubaneswar Municipality Corporation) in conducting highly popular and impactful events on the themes of “Safe City, Safe Campus”, “Better Style, Better Life”, “Awareness against Gender Violence.”
List of IKS activities in 2022 (in bold)
5-19 Nov 2020 FDP 1.0 on IKS
15-17 March 2021 Bhopal Education Fair organised by Bharatiya Sikhyan Mandal
10-11 April 2021 2-Days Brainstorming on IKS with Dr Anuradha Choudry and Dr Richa Chopra
10th July 2021 11th Siksha O Anusandhan Fortnightly Academic Lecture (SOAFAL) on “How to Integrate IKS into Modern Education” by Prof Kapil Kapoor
2nd Sept 2021 MoU on IKS with Rashtram School of Public Leadership, Rishihood University
16th Oct 2021 SOAFAL Oration on Contribution of Ancient India to Mathematics and Astronomy by Prof N. K. Sharma
15th Nov 2021 Talk on IKS in Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
16 Nov to 7 Dec 2021 FDP 2.0 on IKS, supported by PPRACHIN, SOA and Special Contribution by Prof N. K. Sharma
5th Jan 2022 Talk on Contribution of Ancient India to Mathematics and Astronomy by Prof N. K. Sharma at Rajendra University, Balangir
Jan 1st week 2022 IKS Table Top Calendar depicting Ancient Indian Universities
11 Feb-April, 2022 IKS Internship and Mentoring of 13 students in Mathematics and Astronomy; Holistic health and wellness; Digitization and Preservation of documents/texts/manuscripts; IKS approaches to conserve biodiversity and ecological protection
March-April Award of 2-years Competitive IKS Research Project on Mathematics and Astronomy, PI Prof N. K. Sharma (Rs 20,000,00)
6th July 2022 Meeting with members of IKS Division
15th July – 15th Sept 2022 IKS Internship and Mentoring of 11 students
29th July – 31st July 2022 Participation in IKS Mela
10th September, 2022 IKS Outreach Workshop involving 35 HEIs in and around Bhubaneswar participated. Prof G. S. Murthy, National Coordinator, IKS Division, AICTE, MoE, Govt of India joined along with others.
30th September, 2022 Award of IKS 6-months Internship Project to SOA (Rs 11, 25,000)
9 and 10 November 2-days Dhara Conference on Indian Maritime Trade by Ministry of Culture, Govt of India
Short term niche courses specific to Odisha like Jagannath Culture, Pattachitra, Sambalpuri Vastra, Buddhist Studies, Tribal studies, Temple architecture, IKS studies will attract even students from developed countries to come here to read, learn and practise.
What are the key policy prescriptions you would like to give to the vast array of concerned governmental institutional base towards the creation of a Smart eduDESTINATION leading upto the colossal brand of eduINDIA ?
24 x 7 Hospital facilities (SOA has IMS & SUM Hospital to cater to the health needs/emergencies of both International and domestic students)
24 x 7 Security (SOA has both in-house as well as outsourced security arrangements)
Pro-active and sensitive policing
Though students are provided accommodation in hostels, municipality (BMC) must come out with a private-public partnership in establishing optimally priced student accommodation
Accommodation must also be made ready keeping in view for short-term niche courses, internship of short duration, short academic visits
How do you propose to further enhance the brand of your city as a pre-eminent eduDESTINATION so as to bolster the cause of eduINDIA?
The city has already an agency called Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited. It has entered into alliance with United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) and BMC (Bhubaneswar Municipality Corporation) in designing impactful programs like “Safe City, Safe Campus”, “Better Style, Better Life”, “Awareness against Gender Violence.”
During Baliyatra, this time a pavilion on Indian Maritime Trade under DHARA Conference will have the effect of impactful dissemination. SOA will conduct it under fund from Ministry of Culture from 9-10th Nov., 2022.
OTDC also arrange regularly many festivals like Konark Festival to showcase the tourism and cultural potential of the city and the state
Recently (13 to 17 Sept., 2022), SOA invited the honorary chairman of KIIPS (Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies) and former rector of JNU Prof. Chintamani Mahapatra and Japanese and Far-East expert Prof. Rajaram Panda to chalk out a comprehensive document for bolstering international relations and collaborations.
eduINDIA CONTRIBUTORS
What % of Students at your Institution come from outside your eduDESTINATION
70
Give a Brief Overview of the entire gamut of Quality Education Beyond Classrooms Prevalent at your Higher Education Institution...
SOA is awarded a 2-years competitive research proposal on the theme
Studies on the Deficiencies and Inconsistencies in the Historical Development of Mathematics and Astronomy in India with special reference to Pathani Samanta’s YantrasSOA is awarded the 6-months BG Samvahini-2 (IKS Division Internship Program 2022-23 on the theme Designing of IKS-based Hands-on Activities/Indian Toys and Creation of Materials for Curriculums of School Science Education for Class 6, 7 and 8
SOA has applied for SOA IKS Odia Bhasha Kendra on the theme
Collection, Preparation, Translation and Dissemination of IKS materials from Odia to Sanskrit/English and from Sanskrit/English into Odia especially in four focal themes along with delivery/curating of five courses in IKS topicsSOA was awarded 28 no. of internship of 2-months duration on 4-IKS themes of
Mathematics and Astronomy, Holistic Health and Wellness, Digitization and preservation of ancient documents and IKS approaches to conserve biodiversity and ecological protection2100 strong NSS volunteers of SOA have taken classes to the masses. In flagships programs like UBA, EBSB, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Har Ghar Tiranga, Swachhata. The, AKAM the participation of international students has given it a truly Universal character. Our strong association with MGNCRE has led to implementation of many of their programs. We are rewarded for Beat Covid Campaign, One District Green Champion Award. The 7-days Special Residential NSS Camping in the adopted villages the students do experiential learning. Amidst village setting they are made to understand that true education is holistic and excellence has 3-dimensions of professional, emotional and spiritual.
The emphasis on hands-on approaches of learning has led not only to more than 90% placement, but resulted in innovative Start-Ups.
Entail in greater detail about the DIVERSITY of uniquely placed COURSES offered which attract students from far off places to your very Institution and thereby to the eduDESTINATION concerned...
SOA has a unique centre since 2019 known as PPRACHIN (Propagation, Preservation and Restoration of Ancient Culture and Heritage of India) under the aegis of which we have very strong research going on in tribal studies and digitization. A Ugandan student named John Murungi Bravo was taught the skill of digitization during an internship programme. He is expected to take the same to his country Uganda. In the process we are creating IKS ambassadors. When they will become Vidyavaridhi, they can be fitted into the IKS Chair to be constituted in specific African Universities.
A host of paramedic courses like B.Sc. in Optometry, B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology, B.Sc. in Medical Imaging Technology, B.Sc. in OT Technology, B.Sc. in Intensive Care Unit, B.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, B.Sc. in Public Health, B.Sc. in Dialysis, B.Sc. in Nutrition, M.Sc. in Public Health, M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, Diploma in Dialysis, Diploma in ICU Care, Diploma in Cath Lab, Diploma in Audiology & Speech Therapy, Certificate Course in Dialysis, Certificate Course in ICU Care, Certificate Course in Cath Lab, Certificate Course in Audiology & Speech Therapy offer great diversity to the African students who cannot read MBBS or BDS in India. The University has already planned to have a Centre of Excellence for Paramedic Sciences. This will be the greatest single point which will attract students to the eduDESTINATION.
Similarly, under the aegis of University Outreach Cell we are planning to have STEM outreach activities, and niche courses in Buddhist Studies, Indian Cuisine with special reference to Odisha, Jagannath Culture, Pattachitra, Sambalpuri Vastra, Tribal Studies, Temple architecture, Sand Art etc.
Explain & Substantiate as to how the Uniquely Placed Courses at your HEI enable Holistic & Explorative Learning...
These paramedic courses, and other niche courses which will attract students from developed countries also will have IKS components as SOA is gradually developing into a robust IKS Centre in Eastern India. We will also try to encourage the international learners to learn the niche course in Bharatiya Bhasha, like Odia so as to grasp the holistic taste of education comprising of emotional, social, ethical, and academic ingredients.
The hands-on approach and experiential methodology have provoked the learners to reflect on their actions. The robust network of outreach activities woven through NSS, UBA, Atmanirbhar Bharat around 25 adopted villages have provided ample scope to learn from community. They have understood in action the meaning of “Think Globally, But Act Locally.”
Through many IKS-Projects and Internships that we have got, we are constantly enhancing their critical thinking skills toward solving real-world problems.
In the essential spirit of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam वसुधैव कूटुम्बकम, How does your Higher Education Institution provide avenues for Global Opportunities - in terms of employment, higher studies etc. - to your students
This year two Bhutanese students who are reading BHMCT are placed in good hotels of Kerala and Tamilnadu.
We have signed MoUs with many international universities for student-faculty-knowledge exchange.
We are participating in different educational fairs in many countries.
We are observing cultural programs of different countries. Recently we have an International Students’ Meet of all the international students reading in different HEIs in and around Bhubaneswar-Cuttack.
We are conducting regular Webinars, main one the SOAFAL involving renowned speakers from different countries to bring home the concept of Global Village
Through IKS webinars/meetings/workshops we are bringing before both the international and domestic students the rich cultural diversity of Bharat based upon nonviolence, justice, respect and sustainability which proclaims Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).
As I have mentioned earlier our student from Uganda Samuel Begumya is in Okinawa University, Japan.
Global Opportunities are often catalysed by a Global Alumni Network. Elaborate upon the same and in what all ways does your Higher Education Institution harness the same.
Our alumni are manning our stalls in educational fairs held in their countries.
2 of our Ugandan students, one Josephine Nakato Bukirwe whom we taught IKS approaches to how to conserve biodiversity and another John Murungi Bravo the techniques of digitization will disseminate and use that know-how in their countries.
The students who have passed out are telling others to come and read in this University.
Basically, we want to have few international students in IKS projects so as to build them as IKS ambassadors.
In order to attract Students from Far-off Place, a Multi-Cultural Social Support Ecosystem is perhaps the most essential one...How does your Institution provide for the same?
As I have mentioned, our educational approaches are based upon the 4 pillars of respect, non-violence, justice and sustainability. In all these values are hidden that respect for others.
Moreover, the 2100-strong NSS volunteers whose motto is NOT ME BUT YOU have tried to inculcate that spirit of inclusiveness in all
A Ugandan student Alex Ogwel, the deaf and dumb student who is also the chairperson of Makerere University’s Deaf and Dumb Association will be extended a fully-funded scholarship to bolster this spirit of inclusiveness
We are on the path of creating a Centre of Excellence for Inclusive Society
WE are also planning to have a Centre of Excellence for Foreign Languages
What additional dimensions of Foreign & Far-Off Student Friendliness does your Higher Education Institution cater to?
Inclusiveness, not me but you, diversity, Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam, in campus 24 x 7 health care, mental health counselling, celebration of different national days and cultural functions/festivals
Yoga, Wellness Centre, Mental Health Counselling, Study trips
Multicuisine food
Moreover, at the end of the day emphasis on wisdom will hook every foreign and far-off student to our eduDESTINATION. Swadeshe Pujyate Raja, Bidwan Sarbtra Pujyate (ସ୍ୱଦେଶେ ପୂଜ୍ୟତେ ରାଜା, ବିଦ୍ୱାନ ସର୍ବତ୍ର ପୂଜ୍ୟତେ)
I think we can reclaim IKS if we live by this that Vidya is everything.
How does your Institution strive to cater for the Affordability of Education and Allied Expenses?
In 2019, SOA gave 9 scholarships (all free, tuition, accommodation, food), 7 to Bhutanese students, 2 to Ugandan). Samuel Begumiya completed his M. Sc in Physics in 2021 and is now in Okinawa University, Japan. Joyce Kayanja completed her Master in Structural Engineering and has started her own Start-up in Kampala. 7 Bhutanese students will be completing their B. Tech, BHMCT, B. Sc (Nursing), and B. Pharm in 2023.
We have given flat 50% Tuition fee waiver to all the international students coming through PRAGATII of Study in India Programs
We have given 4 nos of Research Fellowships to 3 Syrian students and 1 Ethiopian student.
All international students are covered under medical insurance and the premium has been paid by the University.
In hospital treatment student concessions is extended.
International students, especially African and SAARC students are provided with almost 100% tuition fee waiver
In many genuine cases, SOA has also borne the air fare of the incoming African students
This year we may extend a fully-funded scholarship to a Ugandan student named Alex Ogwel, a complete deaf and dumb student to pursue his B. Tech in EE
What all makes the LifeStyle at your eduDESTINATION economic? How does your Institution play a lead role in furthering the same?
We have a 5-storeyed Food Colosseum catering to the food habits of many international student. This a very nice suggestion that the University, in order to further Economic LifeStyles must rope in big agencies who will adopt a slew of innovative and industrious measures like Community Kitchens, Affordable Canteens & Stores exercising their power of discounting. The 5-storeyed Food Colosseum is already outsourced to many big food chains and brands who sell food items at a discounted price. But the idea of Community Kitchens is something which catches our imagination!
This elaborate submission makes SIKSHA 'O' ANUSANDHAN eligible for
Inviting the Higher Education & K-12 Institutions of India
to Nominate for
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel eduINDIA Acclamations 2022
to Nominate for
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel eduINDIA Acclamations 2022
to be presented on National Unity Day, 31st of October in a gala digital ceremony to a select set of Higher & K-12 Education Institutions...who have emerged synonymous to the eduDESTINATION in which they are located….
Nomination Links
http://rethinkindia.org/eduindiahighereducation/
http://rethinkindia.org/eduindiaschools
PDF of the Elaborate Nomination Forms available on the said links…
Nomination Contribution of ₹1875 only...
eduINDIA 2023 Campaign
India has had been the land of knowledge since early times which was flocked by seekers from across the globe.
However the long epochs of invasions and colonialization somewhere broke this pursuit.
Nonetheless, modern India boasts of one of the most expansive Education Systems in the World.
ReTHINK INDIA has been carrying out the mandate of positioning India as an emerging Destination for Education using is good offices with the vast network of Indian Universities & Schools which are quite keen to expand their vistas to international students (a meagre 30,000 odd at present) as well.
While selecting an educational institution in India, it would be imperative for an international student to first choose an eduDESTINATION which fits well within his/her cultural & civilizational requirements.
The Campaign also targets the Aspirational Indian Students (some 7,50,000 odd) planning to go abroad for Higher Studies (and costing a mammoth sum of Forex to the Nation), to at least explore the emergent institutions of higher learning right here in India matching up to the global standards.
The elaborate submissions made to the following nomination framework would also be published as an eduINDIA 2023 Portfolio which shall reach out in its digital collective compendium format across the globe to
Indian Embassies, Missions & Consulates
People of Indian Origin Organizations
Foreign Missions in India
Top Indian School Chains & Brands
(specially those whose students aspire to go abroad)
The additional option of Video Engagements around the same is also out there
For Any Query, Feel Free to Ping Dr. Surbhi on 9910050597 (preferably WhatsApp)