Dibrugarh university held a G20 University Connect Engaging Young Minds Lecture Series on 28 March 2023 in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, NETRA foundation and Research and Information Systems for Developing Countries RIS. The event was attended by over 400 participants including students, teachers, officials of the University and members of civil society.
The event began with the University Anthem, followed by the felicitation of the dignitaries. The theme song/official video of the G20 Indian presidency was played.
The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University, Prof. Jiten Hazarika, delivered the Inaugural Address by stressing the importance of the youth in the G20 process and the importance being given by the University to the themes of the G20, such as bringing out its first sustainable development report mapping the SDG related achievements of the University in teaching, learning and research. He also added that the university was promoting the digital aspects of education through the MOOCS courses developed by the University under the EMRC. He mentioned that twenty patents were awarded to Dibrugarh University, two of which are directly related to the G20 thrust areas.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Ambassador Gayatri Kumar, a Former Diplomat Government of India, who spoke on the importance of the G20 and India’s role as its president. Ambassador Kumar stressed aspects of climate and sustainable development goals as important pillars of the G20 and mentioned that the forum was important for nations of the global south. The attempt by the Government to bring G20 to the masses and to encourage student involvement through such programs was highlighted as well.
Dr Sushil Kumar, Assistant Professor of RIS, New Delhi, while delivering the Special Address,stressed the importance of multilateralism and the G20 in the context of India’s presidency.
In his address, Dr. PranjalPhukan, of the BCPL, Dibrugarh, the Guest of Honour, linked the importance of education in industry and innovation as the need of the 21st century in his address.
This was followed by a lively interactive round of questions and answers that students from across disciplines posed on mental health, women empowerment, development, SDGs, and geopolitics.
Prof. D.K. Chakrabarty, of the Department of Economics and the Dibrugarh University G20 Connect activities coordinator, outlined the activities ranging from essay competitions to Model G20 and outreach in local tea gardens and schools and colleges that the university has held thus far about India’s G20 presidency. The certificates and awards for winners of the competitions were handed out to the students by the dignitaries during the event.
This was followed by a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Nasmeen Akhtar, of the Department of English, Dibrugarh University who also anchored the program. The event ended with the National Anthem.
