An ICSSR-sponsored two-day National Seminar on “Integration of Modern Technology with Indian Knowledge System: Prospects and Challenges” was organized jointly by the Department of Philosophy and the Department of Sociology, Jagannath Barooah University on 8th and 9th May, 2026. The seminar was convened by Dr. Simi Borah, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Jagannath Barooah University, and co-convened by Dr. Malaya Borah, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Jagannath Barooah University.

The inaugural session of the seminar commenced on the morning of 8th May with the University Song, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Malaya Borah, Co-convener of the seminar. The inaugural address was delivered by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Jyoti Prasad Saikia. The session was chaired by Dr. Anjana Chaliha, former Principal and Head of the Department of Philosophy, Jagannath Barooah College.

Dr. Diganta Biswa Sarma, Professor of Practice, IIT Guwahati (Centre for Indian Knowledge System), attended the seminar as the Keynote Speaker and spoke on the relevance and possibilities of integrating modern technological advancements with the Indian Knowledge System in contemporary times. The Chief Guest, Dr. Anil Chandra Bora, Senior Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre, Jorhat, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge traditions while adapting to technological progress. The session was further addressed by the Registrar of the University, Dr. Utpal Jyoti Mahanta.

During the inaugural session, the Abstract Volume of the seminar was formally released by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the University. The official newsletter of the University, JB Collage, was also released on the occasion. The session concluded with the Chairperson’s remarks and the vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Nibedita Bezbaruah, Head of the Department of Philosophy, Jagannath Barooah University. The inaugural session ended with the rendering of the Jatiya Sangeet.

Following the inaugural programme, two parallel technical sessions commenced from 12:30 p.m. onwards. The sessions were conducted in hybrid mode, facilitating both offline and online participation by scholars, academicians, researchers, and students from different parts of the country.

The technical sessions featured several eminent academicians and resource persons from reputed institutions across the nation, including:

• Dr. Chandan Kumar Sarma, Professor, Department of History, Gauhati University 

• Dr. Ananya Barua, Professor, Department of Philosophy, Hindu College, University of Delhi 

• Dr. Minakshi Phukan Hazarika, Dean i/c, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Jagannath Barooah University 

• Mr. Subhasish Sarma, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Jagannath Barooah University 

• Dr. Partha Pratim Borah, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Birangana Sati Sadhani Rajyik Vishwavidyalaya 

• Dr. Tapan Saikia, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Birangana Sati Sadhani Rajyik Vishwavidyalaya 

• Dr. Upasona Sarmah, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Dibrugarh University 

• Dr. Anannya Gogoi, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Dibrugarh University 

• Dr. Meghna Choudhury, Assistant Professor, Department of Folklore Studies, Gauhati University 

• Dr. Manash Jyoti Deka, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Allahabad 

• Dr. Subhra Jyoti Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Comparative Religion, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal 

All the resource persons deliberated on diverse themes concerning the integration of technology with the Indian Knowledge System, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, indigenous epistemologies, cultural preservation, education, and the role of modern technological tools in contemporary society. The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation and scholarly discussions, making it a significant academic event for the University and the region. Paper presenters from across the country participated in the event, including scholars and academicians from the University of Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia, ICFAI Law School, and Dhanamanjuri University, among other reputed institutions.

On the second day of the seminar, i.e., 9th May, 2026, two parallel technical sessions were conducted in hybrid mode with active participation from scholars, academicians, researchers, and students representing various institutions from across the country. The sessions facilitated engaging academic deliberations on diverse themes related to the integration of modern technology with the Indian Knowledge System. The presentations and discussions emphasized interdisciplinary perspectives, indigenous knowledge traditions, contemporary technological interventions, cultural sustainability, and innovative approaches to education and research. The sessions witnessed enthusiastic interaction between the resource persons and participants, contributing significantly to the academic success of the seminar.

The two-day national seminar formally concluded with a valedictory session held on the afternoon of 9th May, 2026. The session was hosted by Mr. Sanju Kakoti, Head of the Department of Sociology, Jagannath Barooah University, and chaired by the Registrar of Jagannath Barooah University, Dr. Utpal Jyoti Mahanta. The Chief Guest of the valedictory session was Dr. Chandan Kumar Sarma, Professor, Department of History, Gauhati University, who delivered an insightful address on the significance of integrating traditional knowledge systems with contemporary technological advancements for sustainable academic, cultural, and social development. He further emphasized the relevance of Indian knowledge traditions in addressing present-day challenges and encouraged greater interdisciplinary engagement in future academic initiatives.

Following the address of the Chief Guest, the seminar report was presented by Dr. Simi Borah, Convener of the seminar, who provided a comprehensive overview of the proceedings of the two-day programme. In her report, she highlighted the various research papers presented during the technical sessions by scholars, academicians, and research students from different universities and institutions across the country. She emphasized that the papers reflected diverse interdisciplinary perspectives on the integration of modern technology with the Indian Knowledge System, covering themes such as indigenous epistemologies, cultural preservation, educational transformation, ethical dimensions of technology, and the application of traditional knowledge in contemporary society. She also appreciated the enthusiastic participation and meaningful academic discussions that enriched the seminar and contributed to its overall success.

Certificates were subsequently distributed among the paper presenters in recognition of their valuable academic contributions and participation in the seminar. The vote of thanks was delivered by Pratyasi Barua, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Jagannath Barooah University, who expressed sincere gratitude to the invited guests, resource persons, participants, organizing committee members, volunteers, and all those associated with the seminar for their cooperation and support. The programme concluded with the rendering of the Jatiya Sangeet, marking the successful culmination of the ICSSR-sponsored two-day national seminar.