IIT Delhi to launch Indian Knowledge Systems programme on October 17

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is set to launch the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) programme on October 17, 2024. Sponsored by IIT alumnus Ram Gupta, the initiative aims to integrate India’s traditional knowledge frameworks with modern academic and research, fostering dialogue between scientific inquiry and civilizational wisdom.

One of the key features of the launch ceremony will be a panel discussion on the topic ‘Indian Knowledge Systems for Today’s Futures.’ The panel will feature speakers, including Rajiv Kumar, former vice chairman of NITI Aayog, Santosh Misra, former IAS officer and secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Sampadananda Mishra from Rishihood University, Rajiv Vasudevan, CEO of AyurVAID Hospitals, and Raj Vedam, a faculty member at Arsha Seva Kendram. K Ramasubramanian, a scholar from IIT Bombay, will chair the discussion and later deliver the concluding address.

Alignment with NEP 2020

P V Madhusudhan Rao, dean of alumni relations at IIT Delhi, emphasized the alignment of the project with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He said, “Indian Knowledge Systems is an important area highlighted by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the project is a manifestation of our commitment to NEP and IKS. Many IIT Delhi alumni have also come forward to support IKS activities.”

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Four knowledge platforms across diverse domains

The IKS Programme aims to establish four knowledge platforms across various fields: public systems, education and pedagogy, technology, and health and well-being. Nomesh Bolia, the principal investigator of the project and a professor in the department of mechanical engineering at IIT Delhi, said, “The project aspires to create four knowledge platforms in the broad domains of public systems, education and pedagogy, technology and health, and well-being, to not just be inspired by IKS as something that happened in the past but also develop thought on how it can be relevant for us now and in the future.”

The ceremony will conclude with an address by K Ramasubramanian, who will highlight the significance of integrating Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) with modern education and research frameworks. Following his address, IIT Delhi will announce new IKS initiatives.