Orientation towards Indian Knowledge System (IKS) for the Faculty

A session on the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) was held on 5th March 2025 for the faculty members of St. John College of Humanities and Sciences. The session, delivered by Dr. Ravi Shankar Mishra, Campus Coordinator of the IKS Cell, aimed to raise awareness among faculty members about the importance and integration of IKS into higher education, particularly in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. A total of 30 faculty members attended the session, engaging actively in discussions and brainstorming activities.
Session Overview:

Dr. Mishra delivered an insightful presentation, covering various aspects of IKS, its importance, objectives, and strategies for its integration into the curriculum. The session was structured around the following key points:

1. Importance of IKS in NEP 2020: Dr. Mishra began by emphasizing the significance of IKS within the framework of the National Education Policy 2020. He explained how NEP 2020 calls for the incorporation of Indian cultural heritage and traditional knowledge systems into the academic curriculum. IKS, as part of this vision, seeks to provide students with a comprehensive education that connects them with their cultural roots while equipping them with modern academic knowledge.

2. Objectives of IKS Courses: The session outlined the key objectives behind offering IKS courses:
●    Preservation of Heritage: To preserve and promote India’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage through systematic study.
●    Interdisciplinary Learning: To encourage interdisciplinary learning that blends traditional wisdom with modern academic disciplines.
●    Holistic Development: To foster holistic, value-based education that nurtures critical thinking and respect for diverse knowledge systems.
●    Global Relevance: To prepare students to contribute to global discourse by offering solutions derived from traditional Indian knowledge systems.

3. Key Concepts in IKS: Dr. Mishra presented key concepts that form the foundation of IKS:
●    Vedic Knowledge and Philosophy
●    Indian Mathematics and Astronomy
●    Ayurveda and Traditional Healing
●    Indian Art, Architecture, and Culture
●    Sustainable Practices in Indian Agriculture and Ecology. These concepts, he explained, represent a rich pool of knowledge that can be integrated into modern-day academic curricula to address contemporary challenges.

4. Relevance of IKS in the Modern Context: Dr. Mishra highlighted the enduring relevance of IKS in today’s world, especially in areas like sustainability, environmental conservation, and holistic health. He elaborated on how the ancient Indian practices, such as Ayurveda, sustainable agriculture, and ecological balance, provide solutions to pressing issues like climate change, health crises, and over-dependence on technology. He encouraged the faculty to explore how these traditional practices can be adapted to modern challenges.

5. Teaching Strategies for IKS: Dr. Mishra shared various teaching strategies to effectively incorporate IKS into the curriculum:
●    Project-based Learning: Encouraging students to work on practical, real-world problems using IKS-based solutions.
●    Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrating IKS concepts into various subjects, such as science, humanities, and social studies, to promote a more holistic educational experience.
●    Use of Technology: Incorporating digital tools, online resources, and multimedia to make IKS more accessible and relevant to contemporary students.
●    Research and Exploration: Encouraging faculty to engage in research and publications that explore the integration of IKS in their respective academic fields.

6. Integrating IKS Across Disciplines: Dr. Mishra stressed the importance of integrating IKS into different academic disciplines. He emphasized that IKS is not confined to traditional subjects but can be applied across various fields, including:
●    Humanities and Social Sciences: Incorporating IKS into history, philosophy, and cultural studies.
●    Natural and Applied Sciences: Exploring traditional knowledge in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, and medicine.
●    Arts and Literature: Studying Indian classical arts, literature, and performing arts through the lens of IKS.

7. Challenges and Solutions: Dr. Mishra acknowledged several challenges in integrating IKS into higher education, such as:
●    Lack of Awareness: Limited understanding of IKS among students and faculty.
●    Resource Constraints: Insufficient academic resources, including textbooks and research materials, on IKS.
●    Pedagogical Challenges: Difficulty in adapting traditional knowledge to modern teaching methods.
To address these challenges, he proposed the following solutions:
●    Training and Development: Organizing workshops, seminars, and faculty development programs to enhance knowledge and teaching skills related to IKS.
●    Collaboration and Research: Encouraging faculty to collaborate across disciplines and with external experts to develop comprehensive resources and curricula on IKS.
●    Curriculum Revision: Updating curricula to include relevant IKS components and ensuring their effective delivery through innovative pedagogical methods.

8. Interactive Brainstorming Discussion: The session concluded with an interactive brainstorming discussion on how faculty members could incorporate IKS into their respective fields of study. Faculty members actively participated, sharing ideas and strategies for integrating IKS into their courses. Key suggestions included:
●    Incorporating IKS into Environmental Studies: Several faculty members suggested integrating sustainable practices from traditional Indian agriculture into environmental science courses.
●    Cross-Disciplinary Projects: Ideas were discussed about creating interdisciplinary projects that connect IKS with modern science and technology, for example, exploring the relationship between Ayurvedic medicine and modern healthcare practices.
●    Revitalizing Indian Literature and Philosophy: Faculty from the humanities department proposed including classical Indian texts in literature and philosophy courses to broaden students’ perspectives.
●    Leveraging Technology: Using digital platforms to make IKS accessible to students, such as creating online courses or webinars on various IKS topics.

The brainstorming session allowed faculty to voice their thoughts and ideas, leading to a deeper collective understanding of how IKS can be effectively incorporated into different academic disciplines.

Dr. Ravi Shankar Mishra’s session on Indian Knowledge Systems was insightful, engaging, and well-received by the faculty members of St. John College of Humanities and Sciences. The session provided a clear understanding of the significance of IKS in the context of NEP 2020 and offered practical strategies for its integration into the curriculum. The interactive brainstorming session proved to be valuable, enabling faculty members to identify ways in which they could adapt IKS concepts to their respective fields of study. The session was an important step toward enriching the academic environment at St. John College and fostering a more inclusive, interdisciplinary approach to education.