Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 25: St Ann’s College of Education (Autonomous), organized an insightful ICSSR-sponsored international conference on the theme ‘Diversified Transformation in Education – Practices and Challenges’ on February 24. The international conference aimed to examine the current challenges in education that emerged due to the diversification of education, to facilitate a platform for knowledge exchange among educators, policymakers, and researchers from various disciplines and promote best practices in education and promote awareness of various government initiatives and reforms in education also to explore the prospects of research at various levels of education.
The inauguration of the conference began at 9:30 am presided over by Sr Maria Shamita A C, provincial superior of Apostolic Carmel, Karnataka Province indicated in her address the colour and lustre chronicle of St Ann’s College of Education and conveyed the importance of knowledge as power, if it is used in the right way can transform all facets of life. Dr Sr Dorothy D’ Souza AC, principal and convenor of the international conference welcomed the gathering and introduced the keynote speaker Prof Dr Ismail Hakki Mirici, Hascettepe University, Faculty of Education, Foreign Languages Teaching Department, highlighted the theme and elaborated the role of educators and stakeholders in transforming lives through education.
At 11.30 am Prof Dennis F Quilala, University of Philippines system, led a plenary session on “Innovative pathways and challenges in the 21st century – Educational Transformation.” He provided valuable insights into the challenges and future of the education sector according to ‘A New Social Contract for Education’ (2021). He also highlighted on future work which will lead to transformation in Education. He emphasised the importance of strategic foresight in addressing problems and anticipating possibilities through horizon scanning and scenario planning.
A panel discussion was held at 1.30 pm on the theme ‘Role of inclusivity and equity in transforming Education’ moderated by Dr Farita Veigas, dean, School of Education, St Aloysius (Deemed to be) University, Mangaluru. The panelists were Dr Maher Spurgeon, consultant and director of South Asia, United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, New York, Dr Parinitha, chairperson, Department of English, Mangalore University, Dr Anitha Tiphagne, consultant, and assistant director for administration and partnerships, United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, Chennai, Dr Semra Mirici, professor, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
Paper presentation sessions were held from 3 to 4:30 pm, and research scholars and academicians presented research papers on diverse topics aligned with the sub-themes of the conference. The conference concluded with a valedictory session presided over by Sr Maria Smitha AC, joint secretary, St Ann’s Institutions, Dr Maher Spurgeon, consultant and director of South Asia, United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, New York, delivered the valedictory address. Dr Laveena D’Sa, assistant professor and organising secretary of the international conference presented the overall report and Dr Sr Dorothy D'Souza AC, principal and convenor expressed gratitude by acknowledging the efforts of each and every one responsible for the resounding success of the ICSSR sponsored international conference.