Foundation Day Lecture - School of Social Sciences and Policy, by Prof. Tej Pratap Singh

All the departments under the School of Social Sciences and Policy at the Central University of South Bihar jointly organized a special lecture. The academic event was chaired by the Honorable Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Kameshwar Nath Singh. In his presidential address, he emphasized the imperative of interdisciplinary research in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP), stating that dialogue and collaboration between various disciplines are essential to address contemporary global problems. In his presidential address, Honorable Vice Chancellor Professor Kameshwar Nath Singh stated that the National Education Policy 2020 envisions a higher education system that is both globally connected and socially responsible. He emphasized that globalization should not be limited solely to rankings, competition, and educational mobility, but should also be viewed from the perspective of inclusion, accessibility, and social justice. He noted that the social sciences offer the ability to interpret global changes in local contexts, thereby keeping India's developmental priorities, cultural values, and policy needs at the center. Expressing the university's commitment to promote interdisciplinary research, international academic partnerships, and capacity building, in line with the NEP 2020, he said that India will be developed as a leading global learning hub, while also ensuring the preservation of its civilizational knowledge tradition.

Present as the keynote speaker on this occasion was Professor Tej Pratap Singh, a senior professor at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). In his lecture, he elaborated on the topic "Globalization of Higher Education, Social Sciences, and India: Prospects and Challenges." Professor Singh stated that the process of globalization has accelerated the commercialization and professionalization of education, resulting in increased global movement of education, learners, teachers, and other educational resources. He also underlined that this process has had a profound impact on India's higher education system, which, while presenting immense opportunities for the country, also poses numerous challenges related to quality, equity, and self-reliance. In his lecture, keynote speaker Professor Tej Pratap Singh presented a balanced perspective on globalization, internationalization, and the role of the National Education Policy 2020. He stated that the NEP 2020 provides a robust framework for enhancing the quality of higher education and its equitable expansion. The policy encourages global academic collaboration, credit transfer, dual degree programs, and international mobility of students and faculty, while also placing equal emphasis on preserving Indian knowledge traditions, linguistic diversity, and indigenous intellectual heritage. He specifically underlined that the NEP 2020 paves the way for India's meaningful participation in global discourse by connecting the social sciences to Indian realities. This policy is an important step towards establishing India as a global knowledge hub through the establishment of multidisciplinary universities, digital learning systems, research innovation, and institutional partnerships.

Addressing the event, Professor Pranav Kumar, Dean of the Chair of Social Sciences and Policy, provided an overview of the Chair's academic structure and activities. He stated that in the current era of globalization, India holds immense potential in the field of higher education, but policy clarity and a strong pedagogical approach are essential to capitalize on these opportunities. He also noted that the recognition of higher education as a subject of trade by the World Trade Organization (WTO) has brought about profound changes in the global landscape of education.

The program began with a welcome address by Dr. Parijat Pradhan, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociological Studies. Following this, Dr. Rajnikant Ojha, Department of Economic Studies, introduced the keynote speaker. Dr. Yadav Pratap Singh, Department of Political Studies, elaborated on the background of the lecture and its contemporary relevance. Dr. Anand Gupta, Department of Historical Studies, presented the vote of thanks. Over three hundred students and researchers from all four departments of the School of Social Sciences and Policy enthusiastically participated in this special lecture. The program was skillfully moderated by Varsha Bhardwaj. Overall, this special lecture proved to be highly academically meaningful, thought-provoking, and informative.