National conference on transdisciplinary education organised at Utkal University

Bhubaneswar: A national visioning conference on “Envisioning Tomorrow’s University: A Transdisciplinary Dialog on the Future of Education” was organized by MIT World Peace University, Goa, in collaboration with PG Department of Computer Science & Applications, Utkal University here on Saturday. The conference was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof Jagneshwar Dandapat.

The other dignitaries include Dr Mrutyunjaya Panda, Head of the Dept of MCA, Senior Mentor – Dr. Vinod Shastri, Convener – Dr. Sukhada Bhingarkar, MIT World Peace University, Pune, Co-Convener – Dr. Nibedita Adhikari, PG Dept of CSA, and Dr. Neha Sathe, MIT World Peace University, Pune.

Prof Dandapat in his address emphasized the role of higher education institutions, their faculties and explained that we are now moving from one long degree to flexible, mix-and-match learning with help from AI and data analytics.

Prof. Panda explained how the university now teams up with companies to offer soft skill-based courses updated with real job needs across careers. Dr. Vinod Shastri of MIT WPU, Pune emphasized the need of such events to bring reforms in higher education. The meet witnessed meaningful discussions, fresh perspectives, and a shared vision for a stronger, reformed higher education system in India.

Senior panellists Dr. Rashmita Sahoo, HOD of Business Administration, Dr. Pratima Sarangi, HoD of Public Administration Department, Prof. Jayanti Dora, HoD of History department, Dr S K Kar, HoD of Philosophy, Dr. Tanu Trisha, Baxi Jagabandhu Chair Professor, Prof. Umaprasana Ojha, Department of Chemistry, IIT BBSR, Dr Subhankar Mishra of NISER, Dr Sudhakar Patra, RBI Professor Chair, Utkal University, and Dr S K Rath from BPUT, Odisha have joined the discussions on evolving higher education ecosystem and stakeholder expectation, transdisciplinary curriculum development and pedagogy, institutional governance for transdisciplinary education etc.  

While co-convener Dr. Adhikari gave a welcome address, convener Dr. Bhingarkar offered a vote of thanks.