Bhaderwah, Sep 4: Government Degree (PG) College Bhaderwah, in collaboration with Government Degree College Kilhotran on Friday concluded a two-day International Conference on “Multidisciplinary Approach in Educational Research and Transformative Learning for Sustainable Development”.
Organised in collaboration with GDC Kilhotran and in association with the International Benevolent Research Foundation (IBRF), Kolkata and the Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU), New Delhi, the conference was sponsored by the Department of Higher Education, UT of J&K, along with the J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKSTIC). The landmark event marked the first offline international conference of such magnitude hosted in the mountainous district of Doda.
Aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the conference brought together international experts, researchers, academicians and policymakers to deliberate on emerging challenges and explore actionable solutions in areas including climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, green chemistry, sustainable development and socio-economic transformation.
The conference commenced with a welcome address by Principal GDC Bhaderwah Prof. Basharat Iqbal.
The inaugural session featured addresses by Principal GDC Kilhotran Prof. Anita Jamwal, Executive Secretary CIU New Delhi Dr. Tanmoy Rudra, Chairman SERI Kolkata Dr. Tridib Bandopadhyay, Special Guest Lt. Col. Susama Masanta and Chief Guest Prof. Zaheer Abass Hashmi.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the official unveiling of the college magazine “Shaheen” and the Conference Abstract Book.
Over the two days, the conference featured plenary and keynote addresses by eminent international speakers, including Dr. Saikat Kumar Basu, University of Lethbridge, Canada and Dr. Binay Kumar Chakraborty, Bangladesh.
The parallel technical sessions, conducted in the Zoology Smart Classroom and IQAC Room, witnessed extensive academic deliberations and presentations covering diverse areas such as post-quantum cryptography, AI-driven horticulture, wildlife conservation in Himalayan ecosystems, green synthesis of nanomaterials, the Design Your Degree framework under NEP 2020 and ecocritical literature, among other emerging multidisciplinary fields.
A special appreciation was recorded for Dr. Ajaz A. Wani, Organizing Secretary, Head, Department of Zoology and IQAC Coordinator, GDC Bhaderwah, whose academic vision, dedication and meticulous coordination played a pivotal role in the successful conduct of the international conference.
His efforts in bringing together leading academic and research organisations with regional higher education institutions provided students and researchers of the Chenab Valley an opportunity to engage with contemporary global academic discourse.
The conference culminated with a high-profile valedictory session presided over by Chief Guest Deputy Commissioner Doda Krishan Lal in presence of Guest of Honour Senior Superintendent of Police Kartik Shrotriya, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, Principal GDC Sopore Dr. Syed Muzaffar Ahmad and former Principal S.C. Kotwal.
During the valedictory ceremony, the dignitaries officially released the edited research volume “Compendium of Sciences”, compiled and edited by the Department of Zoology GDC Bhaderwah. The publication was described as a significant academic achievement and a first-of-its-kind initiative among colleges in Jammu and Kashmir.
The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of prestigious IBRF national and international awards, certificates and mementos to distinguished academicians, researchers and participants in recognition of their academic contributions and participation.
