News & Announcements

Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to open the Edinburgh India Institute

           One of the principal architects of modern India and most respected Former President of India is to deliver the keynote address at the inaugural conference of the Edinburgh India Institute on May 15 2014 in Edinburgh. He will set out his vision for the country in the context of partnership working with the University of Edinburgh.

Dr B. Ashok IAS, Vice Chancellor, KVASU is one of the invited speakers during the Conference.

Prof. K. Devada, Prof. Sisilamma George and Dr George Chandy of KVASU are participating in the conference.

The conference (15 & 16 May 2014) will launch the Edinburgh India Institute, which is intended to showcase and celebrate the University’s longstanding engagement with India; provide a forum for interdisciplinary opportunities; and help establish new partnerships.

In addition to the keynote speaker, the conference has the following high-profile speakers from the Indian higher education sector.

Prof Suranjan Das, Vice-Chancellor, University of Calcutta;

Dr B Ashok, IAS, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University;

Dr. Sourav Pal, Director, National Physical Laboratory, Pune;

Dr Suresh Chand, Director, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi;

Dr Lakshmi Kantam, Director, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad;

Mr Dilip Khatau, Chairman, The Corbett Foundation;

Pawan Agarwal-IAS, Adviser to the Higher Education Planning Commission, Government of India;

and William Dalrymple, writer and historian.

Edinburgh academics and their Indian collaborators in humanities and social sciences, medicine and veterinary medicine, and science and engineering are being invited to take part in the conference, entitled ‘Innovative Engagement for Sustainable Development: The Edinburgh-India Story’. A variety of sessions - plenary, abstract-driven presentations and round-table discussions - will offer the chance for many types of academic engagement and networking.

A number of academics and researchers from the Indian higher education, business and industry sectors are also expected to participate in the conference, which will take place at the John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh.

(with information from the website of the University of Edinburgh)