The Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) in collaboration with Gauhati University and its global partners is hosting an International Conference on Education from Monday.

More than 70 scholars and academicians from 26 university colleges are participating at the February 24-26 conference at the ADBU’s Azara campus. The participants include delegates from Ireland and the Republic of Maldives.

Gracing the opening function were vice chancellors of Don Bosco and Guwahati Universities along with keynote speaker Garret Campbell and Co-convener Gayatree Goswamee, Head of Education Deptt, Gauhati University.

The “teaching to learning” conference seeks “re-conceptualization of higher education within the emerging environment of ICT: a reference to Northeast India.”

It is designed with three purposes says conference convener Fr Paul Pudussery, head, Education Department, Don Bosco University.

• First, to understand the present scenario of our education system – a fundamental reconceptualization of what curriculum is, how it functions, and how it might function in emancipatory ways

• Second, to re-conceptualize higher education within the emerging environment of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

• Third, to understand the developing trend of education – its implications in classroom teaching and learning

Some 40 scholarly papers will be presented under nine thrust areas to give ample time for discussions and deliberations. The nine technical sessions include: Teaching to Learning; ICT as a Subject and as a Tool; ICT in Pedagogy; Emerging Environment of ICT and its Impact; Education and Psychology; Education & Northeast India; Teacher Education and Northeast India; Education for 21st Century; and Theories of Learning.

The organizers say, “this conference is envisaged for academicians to understand the emerging educational reality, to gauge its demands, and to address these challenges.”

Besides offering an opportunity to explore policies, laws, leadership styles, values, social change, philosophy, technology, pedagogies and ethnic diversity from an educational perspective, the Conference will challenge participants to critically examine the conceptual, organizational, political, social, legal, managerial, interpersonal, and technical dimensions of current and future educational system.

Underlining the role of education today, the Vice Chancellor Dr Stephen Mavely insists, “creation of an enabling environment is one of most pressing demands made on educational institutions today, an environment that would be conducive for the formation of dependable human persons – thoughtful citizens, competent parents, faithful friends, capable workers, generous neighbors and lifelong learners.”