Host events at university that are open to the general public: public lectures, community educational events.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, with its unwavering commitment to societal well-being and academic excellence, actively contributes to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) by fostering lifelong learning opportunities. Hosting public events such as lectures, community educational programs, and workshops, the university creates an inclusive platform for knowledge dissemination and societal engagement.
These initiatives align with Amrita’s ethos of “Education for Life,” ensuring that learning transcends traditional boundaries and is accessible to all. By opening its doors to the general public, the university strengthens its bond with the community, empowering individuals through shared knowledge and addressing critical global and local challenges.
Such efforts exemplify Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s leadership in integrating education and service, showcasing how academic institutions can play a pivotal role in advancing SDG4 and creating a more equitable and educated society.
In mid December 2023, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, in collaboration with the Indian Adult Education Association, Shanti Ashram, and Gandhigram Rural Institute, hosted the 64th All India Adult Education Conference at its Coimbatore campus. Ranked among India’s top 10 universities by NIRF 2023, the university welcomed over 170 participants from across the country for the three-day event.
The inauguration ceremony featured Dr. (Tmt) Tamilisai Soundararajan, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana and Lt. Governor of the Union Territory of Puducherry, as the Chief Guest, along with other distinguished dignitaries. The conference focused on the theme “Role of Higher Education Institutions in National Education Policy 2020 – A Way Ahead” and explored the role of higher education institutions in implementing the transformative vision of NEP 2020.
Following the inaugural session, the event included discussions on various topics, such as educational governance, implementation strategies, digital and health literacy, skill development for community empowerment, corporate social responsibility in education, transformative approaches, the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), volunteerism, and gender issues.
The 6th Amrita International Public Health Conference (AIPHC) 2023, held on December 1–2, 2023, marked a significant milestone in advancing public health education and lifelong learning. Organized by the Department of Community Medicine and Public Health in collaboration with the Department of Oncology at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, the event was themed “Advancing Public Health Strategies for Cancer Control.
Cancer remains one of the most complex global health challenges, affecting millions worldwide. The conference brought together experts from academia, public health organizations, policy circles, and practitioners to address this pressing issue. Discussions centered on innovative strategies for cancer prevention, early detection, improved treatment access, and patient care.
Highlights of the Event:
This conference exemplified the university’s commitment to extending learning opportunities beyond its student body, empowering communities through education and collaboration. AIPHC 2023 showcased how lifelong learning initiatives can address real-world challenges, highlighting the potential of education to drive meaningful social impact.
By uniting efforts across disciplines, this year’s event reinforced the belief that through education, advocacy, and action, we can make significant strides in combating cancer and improving public health outcomes.
The Department of English and Humanities, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore campus, organised the International Conference on Educational Professionalism (ICEP’24) on February 9–10, 2024.
The event brought together educators, counsellors, psychologists, and social workers to deliberate on the theme of educational professionalism in the post-pandemic context. Discussions and workshops highlighted the evolving demands on teachers to integrate professional ethics, reflective practices, and emotional intelligence into their work.
ICEP’24 emphasised that true educational professionalism combines specialised knowledge, ethical conduct, and a commitment to holistic education that leads both teachers and students towards self-realisation. Sessions showcased research findings, practical classroom applications, and collaborative strategies to enhance teaching effectiveness across disciplines. Participants were encouraged to share experiences, reflect on best practices, and explore innovative approaches to learning and mentorship.
The First International Conference on Data Intelligence and Secure Computing (DISC 2024) was held on 8–9 March 2024 at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Chennai Campus, organized by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Amrita School of Computing. The two-day hybrid conference brought together global experts, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss advancements in Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and data intelligence.
The event was inaugurated by Ms. Rajalakshmi Srinivasan, Director – Product Management, Zoho Corporation Pvt. Ltd, with a welcome address by Dr. V. Jayakumar, Conference Chair and Principal of Amrita School of Computing. Sampoojya Swami Vinayamritananda Puri, Administrative Director, delivered the benedictory address, and Dr. Bharat Jayaraman, Dean of the School of Computing, shared his insights during the felicitation. Dr. Yannick Benezeth (University of Slavonski Brod, Croatia) joined virtually as Guest of Honor.
DISC 2024 featured 12 sessions with 255 papers presented out of 386 submissions, and 12 best paper awards were conferred. Four international keynote lectures were delivered by Dr. Kashif Saleem (Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia), Dr. Kemal Polat (Abant İzzet Baysal University, Turkey), Dr. Yannick Benezeth (University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, France), and Dr. Saidatul Ardeenawatie Awang (Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia). Selected high-quality papers are slated for publication in the International Journal of Advances in Applied Sciences.
The conference provided a platform for collaboration between academia and industry, fostering innovation, research excellence, and knowledge exchange in secure computing and data intelligence. DISC 2024 successfully advanced understanding in emerging technologies and their practical applications, highlighting Amrita’s commitment to global academic engagement.
The second International Conference on Comprehensive Education (ICCE-24) was held on July 25-27, 2024, at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Mysuru Campus. The conference focused on accessibility, inclusivity, and empowerment for persons with disabilities. Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of Goa, highlighted the importance of equity and integration for full societal participation.
Dr. Pavan John Antony and Dr. Stephen M. Shore from Adelphi University, USA, shared global perspectives, with Dr. Shore presenting the “4 A’s of Autism” framework (Awareness, Acceptance, Appreciation, Action) to support neurodivergent individuals transitioning to adulthood.
ICCE-24 featured 47 plenary sessions with 14 international speakers, including differently abled resource persons, and attracted over 200 participants from around the world. Papers covered social-emotional well-being, independent living, self-advocacy, neurodiversity, assistive technology, higher education, and vocational transitions.
Three new books were launched, providing key resources for special education. The event was organised in collaboration with Adelphi University (USA), Western University (Canada), and BeyberryInc (USA). A pre-conference workshop on July 25, 2024, led by Prof. P.A. Baby Shari, focused on community-based disability management and rehabilitation.
The International Conference on Tsunami Risk Reduction and Resilience (#ICTR3), organized by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in association with the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures, the UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation and Development, and the Amrita Centre for Wireless Networks and Applications, was inaugurated on December 13, 2024, and concluded at Amritapuri Campus. Marking the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the three-day event brought together over 45 delegates from 15 countries.
The conference was graced by Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, who expressed his happiness over such a significant global event being held in a small region like Alappad and praised Amrita and Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) for integrating tradition and science in addressing global challenges. Other distinguished dignitaries included Dr. Srinivasa Kumar T, Head of UNESCO-IOC Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System Secretariat; Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction at UN ESCAP; Mr. Umar Fikry, Deputy Chief Executive, NDMA, Maldives; Mr. Chathura Liyanaarachige, Director (Preparedness), Disaster Management Center, Sri Lanka; Dr. Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh, Provost and UNESCO Chair; Swami Shubhamritananda Puri, Director, Mata Amritanandamayi Centre, Europe; and Prof. Vinod Menon, Founder Member, National Disaster Management Authority, India.
The conference featured keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and poster presentations on disaster preparedness, climate change impacts, and sustainable practices. ICTR3 served as a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, and fostering international collaborations. The discussions and collaborations from the event are expected to advance global resilience, sustainability, and community-based disaster mitigation strategies while highlighting the importance of integrating local knowledge with scientific approaches.
