IIT Jodhpur’s School of Liberal Arts launches Centre of Excellence on Arts and Digital Immersion

NEW DELHI: The School of Liberal Arts at Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur has recently launched the Centre of Excellence on Arts and Digital Immersion, a first-of-its-kind initiative, which was inaugurated by Padma Bhushan awardee classical vocalist, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty.

The newly launched centre aims to explore the intersection of art and digital technology. It will promote learning and activities in diverse fields like visual arts, performing arts, augmented reality, virtual reality, and digital gamin, the institute said in a statement.

Eminent scientist Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, Professor Ashutosh Sharma. Professor Santanu Chaudhury, IIT Jodhpur deputy director SR Vadera were also present during the event.

The institute said that the “Centre of Excellence derives its inspiration from the National Education Policy (2020) which encourages an expanded vision of Liberal Arts without any compartmentalization between arts, sciences and technology.”

Highlighting the unique vision of CoE ADI, Chhanda Chakraborti, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Jodhpur, said, “CoE ADI aims to promote learning and activities in diverse fields like visual arts (such as painting, sculpture, photography), performing arts (such as music, theatre, dance), performance arts (such as art with body, space, sound, light), augmented reality, virtual reality, and digital gaming.”

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Professor Ashutosh Sharma appreciated the concept of intertwining art with technology which would dismantle boundaries amongst disciplines of learning.

It will also serve as a platform for artists to secure their livelihood and intellectual property rights. Centre of Excellence on Arts and Digital Immersion is one of the first among the IITs and perhaps also in the country, it added.

As part of its future plan, the Centre aims to engage IIT Jodhpur students in academic programmes and offer courses at masters level to explore the convergence of art and technology.