New Delhi, Delhi, India
[gt_alert id=”gt-alert-457″ title=”” dismissable=”0″ type=”info” title_color=”” content_color=”” content_background=”” border_size=”” border_style=”none” border_color=”” border_radius=”” css=””]- Academicians, industry leaders and students converge to witnesses thought provoking discussions on “How on Earth can we live together?”.
- A pioneering initiative by NIIT University (NU), TALF aims at sensitizing the young generation to Asian heritage, culture, history and values.
Established with a vision to bring about innovation in higher education and learning in emerging areas of the knowledge society, the not-for-profit NIIT University (NU) presented The 3rd Annual Asian Lenses Forum (TALF) conference in the capital. With an aim to bring together various thought leaders to engage in dialogue with each other and with students in order to explore the different ‘lenses’ through which we see ones’ reality, this year’s TALF conference deliberated on “How on Earth can we live together?”
The Asian Lenses Forum is an outward-looking coalition of committed thought leaders, opinion makers and informed youth. TALF aims to create out of every Asian youngster today, a responsible global citizen with a confident sense of his own identity. As a platform it seeks to generate relevant knowledge and encourage multiple dialogues, engaging stakeholders across generations and nationalities.
The 3rd TALF discussion on “How on Earth can we live together?” focused on the necessity of preparing the society to engage in constructive dialogue on intensely contentious matters. The students and faculty of NU from the Neemrana campus joined the thought provoking discussion through digital connection using ‘experimental classroom’ that was set up in 2014.
The forum witnessed prominent speakers like Dr. Dinesh Singh, former Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi; Dr. Rajeev Sangal, Director of IIT (BHU); Nalini Singh, journalist, who is popularly known for anchoring the current affair program ‘Aankhon Dekhi’, sharing their views on fusion of civilizations and the social and economic changes associated with it. The conversation was anchored by Arun Maira, Management Consultant & Former Member, Planning Commission of India. Also present were Rajendra Pawar, Founder, NIIT University and members of the NU Board including Harpal Singh, Chairman Emeritus, Fortis.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajendra Pawar, Chairman, NIIT Ltd & Founder, NIIT University said, “The mission with which TALF has been instituted, is to inspire generations of informed citizens whose value systems and thought processes are tuned to their surroundings and contexts, enabling them to work towards a better society. As we step forward, I hope that we engage in more insightful discussions in future and help today’s youth to appreciate and understand their legacy and draw inspiration from it.”
During the 19th and 20th centuries many of the Asian countries were colonized or otherwise subjugated by the West. The Asian mosaic of civilization was severely damaged, if not completely overwhelmed by Western imperialism. This dominance extended to every arena of economic, social and cultural life in a way that the Asian view of the world, and indeed of itself, got distorted by what one may call the Western Lens. Consequently, it would not be an overstatement to suggest that much of what Asians know of themselves is from the prism of western writers, historians and thinkers.
However, since the turn of this century, one is witnessing the emergence of a new global reality: The Resurgence of Asia. Soft power in this context is an extension of a nation’s image abroad, but also a reflection of a nation’s domestic image and vision. What do Indians, especially young Indians, think it means to be Indian? How can the sought-after global soft power impact and influence domestic policies and national psychology? The two questions, what kind of role India aspires to globally and what kind of society does it aspire to nationally are interlinked. What are the values that should define India’s national and global identity? These questions lead yet again to the issue of the Asian Lens. India has to take leadership in ensuring that today, the world looks at the continent through new, Asian Lenses and understands the region through Asian eyes.
Mr. Harpal Singh, Board Member, NIIT University & Chairman Emeritus, Fortis said, “As a platform TALF aims at providing deeper understanding of what it means to be Asian; an understanding that stems from awareness of themselves, their surroundings and their histories.”
NU realizes the need and importance of developing new and potentially superior understanding rather than creating a new body of knowledge that is parochial, self-centered and narrow. Asians and citizens from other geographies must, in the future, have the opportunity to “Know” about Asians from new and alternative lenses, as they reflect and think about what kind of future they would like to build for themselves and for the global community.
About NU
Set up with the vision of being the leading center of innovation and learning in emerging areas of the Knowledge Society, the not-for-profit NU is dedicated to building great careers and ensuring excellent job opportunities to all its students. It has been developed as an institution of excellence to provide exceptional education based on the four core principles that make learning Industry-linked, Technology-based, Research-driven and Seamless.
NU provides BTech programme (4 years) & the BTech – MTech Integrated dual degree programme (5 years) in Computer Science, Electronics and Communication Engineering and Biotechnology. The students engage in internships at prestigious organizations. BTech students also get the opportunity of a 6-month work experience before they graduate. NU offers a 2-year MTech programme in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Educational Technology (ET). The University also offers a 2-year full-time MBA programme with options to specialize in areas like Marketing, Finance, HR, Digital Marketing, Business Analytics, Banking and Banking Technology. NU offers exclusive Industry Linked programmes at the master’s level including, MBA (Business Analytics) with Industry leader WNS and M Tech (Cyber Security) in collaboration with PwC.
With a focus on innovation and a research-driven approach to education, NU is beginning to emerge as the hot-bed of entrepreneurship. The university provides an enabling platform for students to innovate ideas for their own startups, under the guidance of expert faculty. These startups are based on innovative ideas like – a smart network health monitoring tool; a dedicated one-stop solution for pet care services; NU-Window; First Move Technologies; AT-Lead; Food tech; My Geo Info, Astra and a peer learning site, to name a few.
The University has entered into a partnership with Autodesk to promote ‘Design Thinking’ as a course across all disciplines of BTech Programs. NU has a ‘Microsoft Innovation Centre’ on campus that features the best of equipment, the latest technology & expert guidance that fosters an environment of learning & entrepreneurship on campus. The Asian Lenses Forum has been set up at NU to sensitize the younger generation and to create a sense of pride in Asian/Indian heritage, culture, history and values amongst youth. The forum acts as a launching pad for the faculty and student bodies of NU to undertake research and disseminate knowledge about role, achievements and centrality of Asia in the rapidly changing world.
Vibrant social and recreational activities form the heart of Campus Life at NU, with a host of student activities interspersed along the central walking spine. The Campus provides students a wide array of sports activities like tennis, badminton, football, basketball, volleyball, gymnastic and golf-putting. Furnished student hostels make life comfortable for students. Temperatures are maintained at the Campus all year around using an energy-efficient, geothermal cooling system, with minimal carbon footprint.
NU is notified by the Government of Rajasthan u/a 5 of 2010 and covered u/s 2(f) of UGC Act.
For more information, please visit: www.niituniversity.in
