Silchar: A two-week refresher course on “Recent Trends and Challenges in Teaching and Research in Language Studies and Social Sciences: An Indian Knowledge System Perspective” began at Assam University on Monday.

The programme, scheduled from November 10 to 23, is being organised by the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre in collaboration with the Department of Sanskrit and the Department of Social Work.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Assam University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant, along with chief guest Prof. Satyanarayan Chakraborty, retired professor of Rabindra Bharati University. Among others present were Prof. R. Balkrishnan, Director of the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre; Prof. Ajay Kumar Singh, Deputy Director of the Centre; Prof. Shanti Pokhrel, Head of the Department of Sanskrit; and Prof. Gangabhushan M. Molankal, Head of the Department of Social Work.

Prof. Govinda Sharma of the Department of Sanskrit and Dr. Kaivalya T. Desai of the Department of Social Work are coordinating the course. Prof. Sharma delivered the welcome address, while Prof. Singh outlined the objectives of the programme.

In his remarks, Prof. Shanti Pokhrel emphasised the relevance of the Indian knowledge tradition in modern education and the importance of using technology as a medium of learning. Prof. Gangabhushan Molankal also addressed the gathering.

Chief guest Prof. Satyanarayan Chakraborty highlighted the evolving role of Sanskrit in India’s education system and shared insights on innovative pedagogical approaches. Prof. R. Balkrishnan spoke on emerging trends in research and teaching, while Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pant underlined the importance and timeliness of such academic initiatives. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Kaivalya Desai.

Following the inaugural, three academic sessions were held. Prof. Kanagaraj Eshwaran spoke on “Intellectual Colonisation: Structure, Subtle and Casual Capture of Social Science Education in India.” Prof. Chakrabarty discussed the interconnection between education and society, citing examples from classical texts such as the Katha Upanishad, Puranas, Abhijñāna Śākuntalam, and Yājñavalkya Smṛti.

The final session featured Prof. Rama Shanker from the Department of Statistics, who spoke on “Academic Leadership in Higher Educational Institutions,” stressing that education should help manifest one’s inner spiritual potential.

Around one hundred professors and research scholars from across the country participated in the programme, both online and offline.