Workshop to formulate interdisciplinary project proposals held at Tumkur University



Dr. S. C. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Tumkur University,
addressing the faculty members at the workshop.



            It was indeed a memorable day for the faculty members of Tumkur University. In a first-of-its-kind program that went on and on from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on June 9, faculty members from various disciplines – Science and Technology, Commerce and Management, and Humanities – sat together, pooled their ideas, discussed and chalked out a number of possible interdisciplinary research projects they can take up as a team.

          The event took off with the introductory words of Dr. S. C. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Tumkur University, which continued with brief presentations by various faculty members representing different disciplines. He was in fact the encouraging and guiding force behind this innovative idea. Dr. Sharathchandra R. G., Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Shripad Bhat, Assistant Professor, Dr. DVG Kannada Adhyayana Kendra, Dr Suresh D, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Mr. Rupesh Kumar A, Assistant Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Dr. Ashok Antony D’Souza, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Works and others made their presentations introducing various subjects having interdisciplinary significance.

            Based on the presentations, a list of various research areas was prepared, and the faculty members were grouped into various teams as per the interest expressed by them.  In fact, there were more than 20 such groups altogether. They gathered separately and explored possibilities of carrying out interdisciplinary projects. Almost each group consisted members from diverse disciplines including science, arts and commerce. A group that took up the issue of climate change and food security, for instance, included members from the faculty of Physics, Economics, Mass Communication, Political Science, Social Works and so on.

             After taking part in brainstorming sessions, the groups, by evening came out with various project proposals having interdisciplinary importance. They shared their ideas with other groups, and explained how they were going about towards realizing their innovative initiatives. They also tried to chalk out the required funding to carry out the projects and traced the possible agencies which might provide them financial assistance.

          

“Yya! It was really a useful and meaningful day…!” That was the satisfaction all the participants had in their mind when they came out of the conference hall in the evening. And by that time, there was a cool breeze and a light drizzle outside…