A majority of the population in our country lives in the villages. If our villages are empowered, our nation will be empowered. It is the responsibility of researchers and academicians to work on ways to empower our villages. This was the crux of discussion at the recent workshop on ‘Role of Universities in Empowering Indian Villages’ that was organized by Amrita University. More than 100 delegates participated in this national workshop.
Robotics expert, Dr. Prahlad Vadakkepat, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore inaugurated this workshop. In his inaugural address, he said "Academicians and researchers have a big social responsibility to the common man and people at the bottom of the pyramid. Most of the research done by them ends up in publications in journals and conferences. More than 90 percent of this knowledge is wasted and not utilized for the betterment of society. In this context, Amrita University is breaking barriers with its unique focus on technology for societal and humanitarian benefit." Dr. Vadakkepat said.
Seconding him was Dr. Venkat Rangan, Vice-Chancellor, Amrita University who said “For emancipation of India's villages, Amrita University’s Chancellor, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi proposed a program in 2013. Under this, Amrita students and faculty, in conjunction with those of international universities, spend two weeks to six months in Indian villages to understand their challenges and develop sustainable solutions to meet them. This initiative, called AMRITA Live-in-Labs, has now developed into a unique experiential learning programme in the world. Students sharing their experiences regarding this program have said that instead of them transforming the villagers, the students were transformed by the experience. They said that they understood how insignificant their problems were compared to the challenges faced by the villages in India." Dr. Rangan said.
VK Bhadran, Associate Director, CDAC; Dr. Balamuralidhar P, Head, TCS Innovation Labs; Dr. AK Sherief, Director, Centre for E-Learning, Kerala Agriculture University among other speakers participated in this workshop.
More than 150 saplings were planted by the students and staff of Amrita University as part of this workshop.
Robotics expert, Dr. Prahlad Vadakkepat, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore inaugurated this workshop. In his inaugural address, he said "Academicians and researchers have a big social responsibility to the common man and people at the bottom of the pyramid. Most of the research done by them ends up in publications in journals and conferences. More than 90 percent of this knowledge is wasted and not utilized for the betterment of society. In this context, Amrita University is breaking barriers with its unique focus on technology for societal and humanitarian benefit." Dr. Vadakkepat said.
Seconding him was Dr. Venkat Rangan, Vice-Chancellor, Amrita University who said “For emancipation of India's villages, Amrita University’s Chancellor, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi proposed a program in 2013. Under this, Amrita students and faculty, in conjunction with those of international universities, spend two weeks to six months in Indian villages to understand their challenges and develop sustainable solutions to meet them. This initiative, called AMRITA Live-in-Labs, has now developed into a unique experiential learning programme in the world. Students sharing their experiences regarding this program have said that instead of them transforming the villagers, the students were transformed by the experience. They said that they understood how insignificant their problems were compared to the challenges faced by the villages in India." Dr. Rangan said.
VK Bhadran, Associate Director, CDAC; Dr. Balamuralidhar P, Head, TCS Innovation Labs; Dr. AK Sherief, Director, Centre for E-Learning, Kerala Agriculture University among other speakers participated in this workshop.
More than 150 saplings were planted by the students and staff of Amrita University as part of this workshop.