Hyderabad: Irha News English (23-01-2024) The UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies, University of Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, NIT-Tiruchirappalli, launched a week-long Online Faculty Development Programme on “Reading and Researching the Literature of Crisis” on 22 January 2024. The programme explores the various forms of vulnerability—from diseases to climate change and the environment—across a wide range of literary genres. The convenors of the event are Professor Pramod K. Nayar (UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies, UoH), Professor Anna Kurian (Faculty Fellow, UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies, UoH), and Dr. V.K. Karthika (NIT-Tiruchirappalli). Dr. Karthika welcomed the audience. This was followed by an introduction to the FDP and the mandate of the Chair, and its activities so far, by Professor Pramod K Nayar. Professor. N. Kumaresan, Director i/c, NIT Tiruchirappalli delivered the presidential address. Aishwarya Sehgal, Programme Officer at the Social and Human Sciences Unit, UNESCO Regional Office, New Delhi, spoke on the importance of the event, and called it a “beacon of hope” which “aligns perfectly with the UNESCO’s values such as promoting diversity, education as a transformative cause, resilience and understanding in times of crisis while fostering a sense of global citizenship and shared humanity”. Tim Curtis, Director & UNESCO Representative, UNESCO Regional Office, New Delhi, in his video message, congratulated the organisers and expressed hope that the event will equip academics in addressing real world problems and bring about a positive change in the world. He noted that the FDP aligns well with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
Prof. R. Murugesan, HoD, Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, NIT Trichy addressed the gathering. Professor BJ Rao, Vice Chancellor, UoH, could not attend due to the changed schedule, but sent his congratulations and good wishes for the event, which were communicated in her vote of thanks by Professor Anna Kurian. Eunsong Kim, Chief, Social and Human Sciences Unit, UNESCO Regional Office, New Delhi and Sarita Jadhav, National Program Officer, UNESCO Regional Office, New Delhi, also communicated their messages.