Guidelines

Indian Knowledge Systems

Guidelines

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

    1.1 Objectives

2. Establishment of Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems

    2.1 Constitution of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems

    2.2 Functions of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems

    2.3 Mode of function of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems

3. Broad areas for Inclusion of IKS

1. INTRODUCTION

IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur is committed to excellence and the overall development of the students. The University believes in taking the age-old tradition of enlightenment through education forward by combining traditional and modern knowledge systems which is an effective way to educate students. Keeping this in view, on offer are a wide variety of both conventional and contemporary programmes of study that aim to promote traditional values, critical thinking, life skills and decision making which is the prime purpose of education. Since its inception, the university believes in imparting education in the light of Indian Knowledge Systems in both curricular and extra-curricular aspects of teaching-learning. Under NEP guidelines 2020, the University envisions further strengthening and promoting IKS.

Indian civilization is one of the oldest living civilizations. It has always been a ‘knowledge civilization, our biggest strength being ‘Indian Knowledge systems’. It is a collective range of Indian Knowledge that has exhibited systematized ways of knowing. Since the origin of the oldest compositions of knowledge i.e., the Vedic literature to the country’s native and tribal folklore, Indian Knowledge is a vast depository of knowledge. The core of Indian Knowledge Systems is to be in harmony with oneself and with nature. It connects you with yourself, your community, and the creation. Importantly, it provides a custom in the form of cultural connections, rituals, etc. that is of great significance for the overall development of the society and allows the knowledge to be practised in a simplified manner by the larger populace.

The education system today is highly influenced by western perception, the Indian origin knowledge is either rejected or ignored in mainstream education and the Indian worldview is missing in our present society. Hence, the present education system largely aims at creating an individual who is being trained to serve the industrialized world by mainly focusing on the lone objective of making a living whereas the goal of the Indian education system is to give meaning to life while making a living. Therefore, an hour demands to seek connections with our deeply rooted cultural values for an ever-lasting transformation and strength, which can be done through the Indian Education System. This change of direction from western perception to our eastern roots remains a challenging job until the complete integration of Indian Knowledge Systems takes place in the nation’s Education.

Though we have been disconnected from our knowledge heritage still it is attainable, the reason being the splendid antiquity that has greatly contributed to preserving the rich cultural ethos and would help us to embrace the change. Swami Vivekananda has rightly said that education is the manifestation of perfection already existing in man. Also, the epic Mahabharata mentions that a student learns one-fourth from his teacher, one–fourth from his intelligence, one-fourth with time, and one-fourth from his peers.

To form the connection again, under the guidelines of NEP, 2020 we need to integrate various components of Indian Knowledge Systems in the existing curricula, textbooks, and content that can be taught in educational institutions, and popularly consumed on digital platforms. As we need to fabricate a custom of habits, rituals, and festivals that can bring this knowledge into our day-to-day practices.

Indian Knowledge Systems should not be taught in isolation instead, they should be made a part of larger missions of the country, covering all the major areas from space, and science to language, music, etc. This would further contribute to maintaining the nation’s integrity and help us to accomplish our goal to create our country as a centre of emerging Indian Knowledge Systems.

In short, the solution for a new education system lies in the Indian Knowledge Systems that has the potential to provide relevant reflections for NEP 2020, mapping a future course of action with its integration within existing educational frameworks.

To have enduring holistic development of its students and staff, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur regularly conducts IKS-based FDPs, Workshops, Webinars, Expert talks on Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness, etc. Also, at the departmental level, attempts are being made to promote IKS-based activities. The departments of Journalism and Visual Arts frequently plan and organize field trips and extension activities on the IKS theme. The University also offers programmes such as M.A./M.Sc. in Yoga, COSD in Yoga, Folk Dance, Kathak Dance, Vocal music, etc. with the purpose to promote IKS. Also, the departments like History, Environmental Science and English Literature have IKS components in their existing syllabi.

Besides academics, the University also strives to uphold IKS by commemorating significant events such as organising regional cuisines competitions at Hindi Bhasha Diwas, Kargil Vijay Diwas, Premchand Jayanti, Constitution Day, etc. Also, as a regular feature the events like Fresher’s Party and Farewell Party have singing and dance performances centred around rich Indian culture. Furthermore, the University’s NSS Unit annually organises National Level Patriotic Solo Song Competition and also Assamese Cuisine Competition, Folk dance, Assamese language learning activities, etc. under the aegis of EBSB in a view to cultivating IKS. Also intending to familiarize the students with IKS, on the Annual Day Function the University felicitates the outstanding contribution of its students in Performing Arts. Additionally, to forward Indian language and literature the University’s Creative magazine L-ink invites contributions for poetry and prose in Hindi and other languages. Moreover the University Central library stations books on Indian mythology, Indian Constitution, and exceptionally rare books as well.

Taking into account IKS, the University practices many ‘Bhartiya Ways of Doing Things’ such as following the age-old Indian tradition of greeting ‘Namaskar’ also the custom of ‘tika –moli’ as a ritual of welcoming the guests that are religiously practised in the University.

1.1 Objectives

• To fulfil the National commitment towards holistic education at IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur
• To evolve a sense of creative and philosophical temperament and cultural identity amongst the students and faculty

• To facilitate the students to acquire IKS-based skills and competencies for competitive examinations and placement opportunities
• To promote collaborative and interdisciplinary research in Indian Knowledge Systems

2. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRE FOR INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

An IKS centre shall be established in the University to promote Indian Knowledge Systems among Staff and students of the University. The centre shall strive to disseminate IKS knowledge at all levels of teaching-learning and administration of the University. Since IKS is not a separate branch of study but an inherent part of every subject in the Indian Knowledge Systems, therefore all the departments, committees, clubs and cells of the University shall be encouraged through the IKS Centre to incorporate IKS elements in their objectives and functioning.

2.1 Constitution of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems

The members of the Centre shall be nominated by the Head of the Institution with such representation as considered necessary and shall consist of members belonging to the various sections of the campus community.

* To be nominated by the Chancellor

2.2 Functions of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems

• To orient the staff and the students of the University towards IKS
• To promote the incorporation of IKS in curricular and pedagogical aspects
• To facilitate IKS based/related inter and trans-disciplinary research
• To provide IKS-related consultancy to the departments/committees/clubs/cells of the University for the promotion of IKS
• To encourage various cells, committees, and clubs to organize IKS-based activities.
• To collaborate with organizations working on IKS through MOUs, activities, etc.

2.3 Mode of function of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems

• The members of the centre shall meet thrice in an academic year to evaluate the progress.
• The centre shall compile the IKS-based activities/initiatives carried out by various departments/cells/committees
• The centre shall regularly update the IKS-based activities on the university website and social media platforms
• The Centre shall prepare an Annual Report at the end of each academic year, giving a full account of the IKS-based activities carried out in the University during the year gone by. A copy of the report shall be sent to the IQAC of the University.

3. BROAD AREAS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF IKS GUIDELINES

I. Faculty and students’ orientation on IKS

• Faculty Development programmes/workshops shall be organised for the faculty to initiate IKS
• Various components related to IKS shall be incorporated into the Faculty Induction Program to be organized for newly appointed faculty
• The faculty shall be encouraged to attend the seminar/workshops/ conferences/short-term courses based on IKS
• Expert talks/experience sharing of outstanding local artists, writers, crafts persons, etc. as master instructors in various subjects of local expertise shall be organized

II: Incorporation of IKS in the curriculum

• IKS element shall be incorporated in the existing course content of various subjects
• More experiential learning shall be planned for students through IKS-based educational visits, extension activities, and expert talks at the departmental level
• IKS-based research and internships shall be included in the undergraduate and postgraduate curricula

 III: Integration of IKS-based Courses

• Credit-based Foundation Course on IKS shall be introduced/proposed at the Undergraduate level with History / Hindi as the coordinating department

• Hindi/Sanskrit language/s shall be introduced as electives at the undergraduate level.
• Short-term courses such as Vedic Mathematics, Traditional Art and Culture, etc. shall be introduced/ proposed
• Buddhism study (Pali language), Prakrat, Apbhransh, etc as COSD or MOOC courses shall be introduced/proposed.

IV: Promotion of Pedagogy related to IKS

• Innovative methods such as the use of audiovisual material, possible field studies, some exposure to a few primary sources and micro-research projects shall be adopted

• Experiential learning shall be adopted, including hands-on learning, arts-integrated and sports-integrated education, story-telling-based pedagogy
• The three-language formula (Hindi, English, and regional language) teaching-learning approach shall be encouraged and the languages shall be used more extensively for conversation and teaching-learning

V: Exploration of the rich and diverse heritage and culture of our country

• The concerned departments shall organise regional art and handicraft exhibitions, visits to historical sites, and rural and tribal communities depicting our diverse culture and tradition
• The university shall celebrate days of National importance such as World Environment Day, Constitution Day, Bhasha Diwas, birth anniversaries of National heroes, etc. 

VI: Orientating students towards Indian Knowledge Systems through extra-curricular activities

• Activities such as Inter and Intra university competitions, Annual play, nukkad natak, etc. shall be planned and organised
• Annual Fest which has been a regular feature of the University shall include activities reflecting National/Regional culture and heritage.

VII: Felicitation for outstanding contribution towards promoting IKS

• Students and faculty shall be felicitated on the publication of exceptional creative writing (poetry, prose, etc.) in Indian languages

• Students, faculty and alumnae contributing towards the development of society by implementing traditional wisdom and knowledge shall be felicitated

VIII: Development of rich and diverse IKS-based Literature

• Faculty shall be encouraged to produce high-quality bilingual textbooks and teaching-learning materials in their respective subjects

• The faculty shall be motivated to translate the existing manuscripts, textbooks and literature into regional languages that will enable the students to think and speak about the subjects both in their local or regional language, mother tongue, and in English as a global language

• The central library of the university shall organize activities such as Book Hunt, IKS Literature/Book Exhibition, etc. to promote our culture and traditions among the students and faculty members

• The central library of the University shall create a literature bank including reference course materials and textbooks

IX: Promotion of Research and Projects based on IKS

• The University shall encourage the faculty and students to undertake a comprehensive approach to transform the quality and quantity of multidisciplinary IKS-based research and publications
• The University shall organize IKS components-based Research Proposal and Writing Workshops for the faculty
• The departments shall encourage their respective students to undertake IKS-based Minor Research Projects such as content analysis of manuscripts, explorative research for tribal communities, ancient art and dance forms, etc.
• The University shall encourage students to undertake IKS based internship programme

X: Facilitation of Cultural Exchange Programmes

• Under the aegis of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, the University shall organize Cultural Exchange Activities such as quizzes, extempore, regional cuisines competitions,
• Regional song and dance competitions, etc. to promote the concept of unity in diversity
• The University shall organise Inter-state Student Exchange Programmes to acquaint the students with our nation’s rich cultural diversity

XI: Collaboration with organisations working on IKS through MOUs

• The University shall try to collaborate and sign MoU with other prominent organisations that promote IKS for further development of IKS at IIS University.