06/02/2016
Conference Report
ICIEA 2015: International Conference on Innovating Education in Asia
Dates: 31st October to 2nd November, 2015
Venue: Hansraj College, Delhi University, New Delhi
Association for Innovative Education is an non- government organization framed by professionals from different streams. ICIEA conferences are about meeting global challenges and national objectives through innovating education in broader prospects. ICIEA2015 took those connections to new heights. Over 280 delegates attended the very first International Conference, coming together to share their learning, expertise, new ideas, culture and approaches to make education productive and preparing for 21st century life. Record numbers of participants including educators, medical practitioners, media partners, college students, international students, university students, education partners and trustees represented a true microcosm of education at Hansraj College, University of Delhi, New Delhi.
Around twenty-five teacher educators, twelve university professors, two principals from state medical colleges and 8 professors from medical colleges , three principals from degree colleges, two Ex- vice chancellors, two ministers along with their secretaries, CEO of International organizations, officials from Indian Association for Mass communication, print media and electronic media partners, MICROSOFT Education Advocacy leaders, Representatives from Embassies of different countries, participants from different streams gave motivational speeches and presentations over the two-day conference. The program offered various themes related to national and international objectives. The most gracious collaboration was made with Russian Embassy to have intercultural and exchange of educational ideas among children of Russia and India. BRICS International Forum became the partner in realizing the global objectives. Education partners and affiliates were welcomed and asked to give their presentations. These partners and affiliates were encouraged to present in tandem with universities and college authorities to develop mutual trust and benefit each other. All presentations were geared towards improving student learning and educational practices through innovative techniques in support of student learning without personal or organizational gain.
There were 125 presenters which included teachers, professors, ICIEA coordinators, BRICS International Forum officials, trustees, education affiliates, media partners, Government officials and students. Footage from video recording of delegates, invitees, chief guests, distinguished guests together with the results of conference survey clearly demonstrated the impact the conference had on delegates’ thinking and practice. It was found that there was an increase in professional networking and productive challenges to their thinking as a direct result of their conference experience. ICIEA is about building knowledge through the wealth of relationships that span the province in the form of networks, websites, publications, workshops and cross-country, cross cultural, multidisciplinary collaboration. Many people who already knew each other continued their conversations about what works in education and also sought out exciting new connections at the conference. The engaging experiences delegates had at the numerous Showcase and Affiliate sessions, as well as the enriching conversations at breaks and between sessions contributed to the exchange of ideas, information and resources. Sessions were structured to allow for maximum learning and engagement, with opportunities to ask questions and share points of view under the guidance and supervision of moderators as educationists, visionaries or officials. The main emphasis was given on the innovative, research-driven work of the teachers/ students, administration in the classroom management and institutional governance. This reflected an exciting shift in the professional quality of the conference.
ICIEA Conference 2015 – Keynote Speakers
Mr. Richard Rekhy, CEO, KPMG
Mr. Richard Rekhy’ keynote address, where he highlighted the women empowerment as a process of social and educational change, provided the conference opening remark to prepare youth entreprenures. This keynote set the stage for powerful learning in the context of challenging financial times for education and the province.
Mr. Kapil Mishra (State Tourism Minister, New Delhi)
Mr. Kapil Mishra emphasized the importance of exploring the interrelated importance of inspiration, innovation, inquiry, improvement and inclusion in support of transformational educational change. He provided examples from business, sports and education from national and international innovators and provided a passionate start to our very first conference.
Dr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, Conference Chairman
Dr. Rajiv Gupta emphasized that it is important to be innovative when times are prosperous. It is essential to be innovative when times are not.
Dr. Manju Gupta, Conference Secretary, Associate Professor, Meerut College
Dr. Manju Gupta, on the concept of organizing this International Conference talked about necessary navigating the “swamp” of expert opinion for effective change initiatives and policy development. Her systemic-focused presentation provided further stimulation for delegates to consider as they engaged in dialogue with their fellow participants and considered how their various learning experiences at the conference would influence their work.
Prof. Mohd. Miyan, Ex Vice Chancellor
Prof. Mohd Miyan, an educationist explained that Communications and framing can actually be used to unite sectors outside of education and improve policy and outcomes across the systems that work on students’ outcome.
Mrs. Purnima Anand, BRICS IF President
Mrs. Purnima Anand explained how international, inter-cultural collaboration help in meeting out the global objectives.
Mr. Vishesh Ravi, MLA Karol Bagh & Chairman Grievance Cell
Mr. Vishesh Ravi spoke on interrelationship of youths among BRICS Countries for better understanding and peace.
Mr. Umar Daud Khattak, Columnist / Writer, Afghanistan
Mr.Umar Daud Khattak had spoken about Causes of Terrorism and social responsibility of the politicians.
Mr. Adnan Abu Alhaijaa, His Excellency Ambassador of Palestine, New Delhi
Mr. Adnan Abu Alhaijaa had spoken about role and responsibility of youths to establish global peace through international partnership.
Dr. Ramji Lal Jangid, Founder President of IAMC, New Delhi & Mr. Shesh Narain Singh, Chief Journalist threw light on media partnership.
Dr. Rama, Principal, Hansraj College, Delhi University, New Delhi
Dr. Rama told that the progress of any nation lie in proper education and all round development of youth.
Plenary Session:
The plenary session was moderated by Dr. Savita Roy, Principal, Daulat Ram College, Delhi University and reported by Dr. Arshad Ikram Ahmad (Jamia Millia Islamia).
Dr. Vinnie Jauhari, Director Education Advocacy, Microsoft Cooperation India Pvt. Ltd described the role and responsibility of various software and ICT skills in preparing youth for 21st century.
Dr. Bharat B Agarwal, Ph.D. Biochemistry from Houston, USA presented a documentary on Add Spices to Your Life.
Dr. Boris Zahorulka, Ph. D. Linguistic, Indian Philosophy and Culture (Russia) presented a paper on System of Education and Challenges of New Age.
Dr. Ajit Kumar had spoken on innovation in medical science as Life Cells generation to save the lives of people.
Dr. Sona Kaushal Gupta, MD in Psychiatry had presented a paper on Effect of Stress on Human Behaviour.
Dr. Surendra Das had spoken on Role of home and society in stress management.
Mr. Colin Schumacher from Thailand had organized a workshop on Making Meaning on Screen through Mobiles which was highly appreciated by the national and International delegation.
Dr. Bijoy B Barua from Bangladesh presented the status of Adult Literacy in Asia.
Parallel Sessions
There were six Parallel Sessions on various current issues which were moderated and reported by the eminent scholars. Around 130 participants presented their research work to make it more comprehensive and result oriented. These were as follows:
• Mass Communication & Tourism
• Innovation in Teacher Education, Higher Education & Research Methodologies
• Digitalization in Education
• Innovation in Leadership styles, Psychological Concepts, Philosophical and Sociological Aspects
• Skill Development & Role of Performing Arts
• Innovative pedagogies and Innovations in Medical Sciences, Sciences
Students Engage in Conference
Indian and Russian Students participated throughout the conference as performers, presenters and as delegates. Performances greeted delegates as they arrived at the entrance and continued throughout the conference. A broad diversity of students were involved from Hansraj College, New Delhi, Delhi University, BRICS International Forum and Students from Russian Diplomate Universities.. From classical dance performance to Russian cultural performances made the valedictory function a grand finale.
Professional Dialogue Goes Viral!
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin as social media, e-media, print media circulated the news and outcome of ICIEA Conference 2015 and proved to be a dynamic way for conference participants and the wider education community to share innovative practices from sessions, make connections and respond to the provocative ideas presented by the keynote speakers. Details of the conference can be seen on youtube links as well:
Conference Outcomes:
Delegates from 14 countries and 18 states of India developed a bonding and formed an international community. It helped to know the culture of others and develop the respect for each other. It helped to develop international understanding and so as to develop as peace agents. It helped to develop international culture and formed the group as global village. International, intercultural, interdisciplinary approach of this conference resulted into innovative techniques, curriculum and concepts to face the global challenges. Some of the key points emerged as:
• Failure is inherent in innovation: need to learn from it. In education, discipline innovation is required for students’ sake.
• Resistance is what challenges the teachers to be better and to find a solution
• Disciplined innovation involves using inquiry and continuous data. Therefore, the conferences on the similar themes to be organized at regular intervals.
Innovation can help, but it needs leadership and judgment in order to benefit students.
• Take care of the big people, so they can take care of the little people. Love this motto
• Turning teachers into researchers: endorsing learner diversity.
• Speakers focused on creating networked community to "co-create new knowledge" around professionals.
• Student leadership is the heartbeat of any institution. Students should be turned into youth entrepreneurs by adopting government projects like Start-up India projects or by Skill Development or Digitalization of education.
• Know your experts...they are in your community. Identify them and then start connecting them. Build communities of trust, make difficult decisions, engage parents and the community, have intentional focus. Disciplinary literacy is must i.e. "deeper understandings require improvement in discipline-specific skills." Communications and interexchange of ideas can actually be used to unite sectors outside of education and improve policy and outcomes across the systems that work on better education, better economical and industrial setups.
OUR GRATITUDE:
Our heartfelt thanks are due to Microsoft, AAFT, VAN, INDOCARD for technical support.
Our thanks are due to BRICS International Forum for international collaboration.
Our gratitude to Hansraj College, Delhi University for all support in providing venue, students’ army for cultural programmes and stage management.
Last but not the least, our thanks to all the participants, our organizing committee, and media personals for their support and timely guidance.
