Under the webinar series “Multiple Dimensions of COVID-19”, School of Humanities and Social Sciences hosted the first webinar titled “Pandemic Impact on Education: Access, Quality, and Equity” on 25th July 2020. Dr. P A. Mathew, Chairman, Grace International Academy, Dr. Xavier VK, Professor of Economics, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Dr. Rekha Jaganath, Former Member, State Planning Board, Karnataka and Dr. Augustine George, Principal, Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous) were the speakers for the event. Ms.Rohini Yekbote and Mr.Vengala Bhaanu Teja were the student anchors for the webinar.

The theme of the webinar:

The disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic has been unparalleled in our lifetime. The loss of lives and livelihood has made a huge dent to the whole world and particularly, the marginalized, migrants, and micro and mini enterprises. Due to this, loss of income, poverty, and hunger will accentuate. Being uncertain about the shape of economic and recovery – U or L shape, our hands are crossed against a vaccine. The generations will learn from the history and production of original literature about this pandemic is a noble duty of academicians. The philosophy of history of events will make new history and design a new destiny - to make or mar ourselves.  

Outcomes:

Mr.Vengala Bhaanu Teja concentrated on the facts of Gross Enrollment Ratios around the world and how India needed a push. According to him, the education sector has felt a negative linkage effect that is seeing a down surge now, during the pandemic. He also recommended adherence to the Sustainable Development Goal no 4, which is the quality of education and the recommendations of national reports.

Ms. Rohini presented on the structural changes that are needed for transforming the traditional education system into a digital online platform, the pros, and cons of the traditional education system, the number of glitches in online education such as unaffordable internet facilities.

Dr. Xavier VK spoke on the pandemic impact on higher education access. He also highlighted the demographic profile of India, the total number of Government and Private Universities, the aided and unaided colleges in India. He shed light on the lack of the number of educational institutions as compared to that of the population of India. According to the MHRD, NSS, Census data, and SES data, GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) has risen from 0.7 percent in 1950-51 to 26.3 percent in 2018-19 and it is projected to be approximately 30 percent in 2020- 21. Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) is a significant indicator of the number of persons enrolled out of the total population between the ages 18-23. He addressed the problems of duality in higher education in developing countries, where there is a regional imbalance and a low GER. Dr. Xavier concluded his presentation by stating the strategies which included an encouraging partnership with foreign universities, promoting high-quality private institutions, and improving access to education through distance and online mode of learning.

Dr. Mathew presented on the topic ‘Turmoil and Transition in Higher Education during the Pandemic’. He spoke about the difference between equity and equality and also on the Indian education system and society in the 21st century. While talking about the impact of Covid-19 on higher education, he also addressed issues such as the digital divide during the Pandemic which creates a divide in the gender gap, Dalit enrolment in higher education, etc. He provided perspicuous explanations on the impact of a pandemic on access to and quality of higher education in India.

Dr. Rekha Jagannath elucidated on the impact of the pandemic on the quality of education by listing the challenges such as complete conquest of the education system by the IT sector, issues like security, authentication, and verification of AI and machine learning. She spoke about the importance of delivering excellent quality education which contains macro and micro aims.

Dr. Augustine George spoke about the quality of education during the pandemic and how the pandemic affects the future of education. He addressed the issues arising due to the excessive use of electronics for online education, which in turn affects the mental health of the people, especially the students. He said that the quality of higher education is the prime focus of higher education and we cannot build a sustainable and prosperous nation without human resource development which mainly depends on the vitality of higher education and skill-based activities. 

School of Humanities and Social Sciences had organized national level webinar on the topic “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: Opportunities and Challenges” on 01 August 2020.

Dr. Madan Mohan Goel, Former Vice- Chancellor & Professor at Kurukshetra University, was the keynote speaker.

Dr. Jennifer Fernandes, Assistant Professor of Economics, Ms. RanjanaKamath and  Mr. Vaibhav, 2nd year students from B.A. Economics Honors hosted this National Webinar organised by the BEST FORUM of the Department of Economics at Jain (Deemed to-be University).

Professor Goelexposed 3 important models to Implement Atamnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan:

1. SMART Model
2. SIMPLE Model
3. Needonomics Model

Professor Goel has stated "We should avoid over emphasizing of ‘Vocal for Local’ and be little diplomatic and use the wisdom for ‘Glocalization’ meaning 'Think globally and Act locally' for promoting VasudhiavaKutumbakam (the world is one family)". As a Needonomist, he suggests that, at the face of implementation of the Atamnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, we have to be action oriented by remaining Alert, Aware and develop with Wisdom for everything happening around in the society. There is a dire need to adopt the "PalliPalli" approach (Hurry in Korean) while implementing good schemes, in this case, making India self-reliant through Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Focus on basic infrastructural development in urban and rural areas that progress to have forward and backward linkage affects, which in turn benefit the rural development was the major focus. We have to create congenial environment to work without worries and fear at a level-playing -field, for the survival and revival of the economy, explained the Professor.

For the revival of the economy, we are to become Street Smart Indians as consumers, producers, distributors and traders. Street Smart requires more transparency accompanied by cyber laws as best ingredients for fighting the after-effects of COVID economic crisis, explained Professor Goel.

Dr. Xavier VK, Professor and Head, Department of Economics, Jain (Deemed to-be University) summarized the major points and implored that “De-liberalization is the current policies followed by countries across the world unlike the liberalization if the past two decades. Trade and tariff wars along with capital controls are persuaded by states to promote self-interest. Specifically, India's capital account liberalisation has been a procrastinated issue. Dr. Xavier has also briefed on the challenged of self-reliance strategy of India.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

Bengaluru, August 01 - ‘Implement Atamnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan flawlessly by adopting the Ambedkar’s canons of public expenditure in terms of ‘faithfulness, wisdom and economy in execution”, opined Former Vice Chancellor and Needonomist Professor M.M. Goel retired from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra.

"Atamnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan can be put into practice once the Atma within us is understood"

Women’s Cell at School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Interior Design, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), organized a national webinar on “Relevance of Gender in Migration: With Reference to India” on 4th July 2020. Moderated by Dr. Mekhala Venkatesh, Coordinator of Women’s Cell and Post Graduate Dept. of English, the webinar was attended by 200 odd participants from across India. The panelists consisted of several prominent dignitaries from Jain (Deemed-to-be University) and other reputed institutes who asserted their views on the causes and consequences of human mobility owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jain (Deemed-to-be University) has set the bar high for Forensic education in India by becoming the first and only University to be registered with the ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners) as an Anti-Fraud Education Provider. USA based ACFE is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education.

Students pursuing BSc Forensic Science (Hon.) program at the University will get an opportunity to become a Certified Fraud Examiner, possessing unparalleled expertise in fraud detection and prevention.

To know more about the program, click here

The members of Eco Club CAARMA in the School of Sciences – Block 2 at Jain (Deemed-to-be University) commemorated World Environment Day on 05th June from the safety and comfort of their homes. United in encouraging awareness and action to protect the biodiversity of the Earth, the students and faculty members logged on their social media to display their support towards the cause by painting posters with the theme “The positive impacts upon the environment amidst the pandemic”.

The current global situation did not dampen the spirits of the artists as they delved into their creative side and let their paint brushes convey the importance of the environment and how we depend on its growth for our survival.

Dr. Arati N Rao, Assistant Professor and Coordinator,  Department of Performing Arts – Music at School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) honored with the Musicologist Award, a Prestigious National award from Music Academy of Madras on January 1st, 2020.