RONO HILLS, Feb 16: A three-day International Seminar titled ‘Living World—Education of Past, Present and Future’, organized by the Department of Education (Rajiv Gandhi University), commenced at the RGU convention hall here today, in presence of a global community of academicians, researchers, and policymakers to address the transformative shifts in the educational landscape.
RGU Vice Chancellor Prof S K Nayak, in his inaugural address, motivated the faculty members to organize such events, where the global level sharing of ideas and culture could be done, and it increases the visibility of the university as well. Though our past is glorious, to make India Viksit Bharat we need a better education system, and its responsibility lies on our responsibility as teachers.
The chief guest stated that each profession contributes to GDP. If we produce such professionals who contribute more to GDP, we will easily achieve our goals. Before the Britishers came to India, India’s contribution to the world's GDP was much more than today. “We must work to develop quality professionals in every field,” he further stated.
Organizing chairman Prof P K Acharya briefed the participants and delegates about how the idea of organizing the international seminar on the topic evolved and expressed his optimism to achieve the desired outcome through the seminar.
Dean Faculty of Education Prof Elizabeth Hangsing highlighted the importance of education by quoting “a deep-rooted tree can only grow high,” and that education starting from the foundation stage can help make India economically developed, educationally enlightened, and technologically advanced.
RGU Registrar Dr N T Rikam shared a brief history of Arunachal Pradesh and how it truly represents unity in diversity. “A State with 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub tribes, each with its own language, food habits, and culture, yet there are no further issues or conflicts reported worldwide due to diversity,” he said.
Prof Hrushikesh Senapaty, former Director NCERT, New Delhi, and keynote speaker, stressed the need for an educational structure and policy that could bridge the gap between our past glory, present, and future. “NEP and its vision is that, if implemented in its entirety, the document will help India achieve the desired outcomes in the form of Viksit Bharat, " he said, adding “Our past educational system was completely holistic in nature. The educational system that Britishers implemented was purposeful. It served their interests and not those of the Indians. Culture integrated in curriculum can protect and preserve our past glory.”
Prof Laxman Gnawali, School of Education, Kathmandu University, said to grow and remain in a powerful position, one must generate knowledge. Once this process stops, it pays a path for the decay in all its forms. Macaulay introduced his own culture through the education system, and today, where does India stand in Knowledge creation compared to its past glory, when people came to the universities of India to gain knowledge?
Dr. Gunay Abilova, Chairman, BRICS International Education Council, Russia, stated the importance of nations coming together to protect their national interest and remove hegemony. The BRICS is an organization that works for rapid development, economic cooperation, and scientific diplomacy, he added.
Dr Sameer Abdul Azeez, Counsellor, Defence Technology, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Embassy of India, Moscow, Russia, joined online and shared the Russian perspective on education and how South Asian nations can gain from the Russian system of education. He clarified that in Russia literacy does not mean reading, writing and arithmetic but development of civic sense, discipline, anger management and kindness to all living beings.
Prof Boa ReenaTok, HoD Education, also spoke.
Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh University’s (APU) Prof P C Jena, HoD Education and Dean of Academic Affairs, participated in the RGU-hosted event as a resource person.
In his deliberation, Prof Jena spoke on ‘Educating Tomorrow: Sustainability, Climate Action, and Global Pathways for Future Careers’. He emphasized the critical role of sustainability and climate literacy in shaping future-ready skills and career pathways.
Drawing from the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) and the National Curriculum Framework (2023), Prof Jena underscored the integration of environmental themes across curricula and the growing importance of green skills.
He noted that India’s transition to a low-carbon economy could generate 30 million green jobs by 2050, creating opportunities in renewable energy, environmental management, waste and water sectors, and digital innovation for sustainability.
Prof Jena called for mainstreaming sustainability education at all levels, expanding teacher training, fostering industry-academia partnerships, and strengthening international collaborations.
“Education for sustainability is essential to global and Indian development goals,” he said, stressing that lifelong learning, skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling are vital to preparing learners for the challenges of tomorrow.