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Saturday, April 4, 2015

4th International Conference on HUMAN VALUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION Educating for a GNH Society – Universal Human Values 27th to 29th March 2015 at GCBS, Gedu (Bhutan)


 4th International Conference 
on 
HUMAN VALUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION Educating 
for a GNH Society – Universal Human 
Values 27th to 29th March 2015 
at GCBS, Gedu (Bhutan)

This conference was a 3-day, residential gathering of 120 distinguished individuals from 10 countries* working in various fields – academia, government, civil society, foundations, and many others. The participants include 23 Chancellors, current Vice Chancellors, former Vice Chancellors, Pro-Vice Chancellors, and over 85 Institute Directors, Champions and leaders of human values education, heads of government and non-government agencies, leaders in the justice system, professors, research scholars, thought leaders, students and many others. The purpose of the conference was to deliberate to arrive at conclusions and develop commitment for incorporating Human Values in Education. * Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Japan, Thailand, Norway

Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck blessed the event and said that it was “significant” as coincides with Bhutan and the Bhutanese people‟s quiet and calm observance of the 60th birth anniversary of His Majesty the 4th King, the person who pronounced that national development must be underpinned by the sustainable and wellbeing of the people.
Her majesty endorsed RUB‟s initiative to promote human values. She said that we must “Do everything we can to propagate
universal human values education” in higher education and that the motivation should be “Service to Others”, and “Greater Common Good”. All the people who‟ve participated in the event are extremely fortunate indeed.
The acting Prime Minister, two ministers, the judge of the district of Chukha and other senior functionaries of the Government of Bhutan attended the ceremony. The conference was organised jointly by 4 universities: 1. Royal University of Bhutan - both VC & Ex VC were present for all 3 days along with almost all their directors 2. Punjab Technical University - Dean Academics, Dr. AP Singh along with a team of 5 people was present. Dr. AP Singh read the messages from Hon. Minister of Technical Education and VC PTU at the inauguration 3. IIIT, Hyderabad - Dr. Ramancharla Pradeep Kumar was present. Director had sent a recorded video message 4. IIT (BHU) Varanasi - Director Prof. Rajeev Sangal was present with a team of 3 faculty members 2
The discussion was around education required for preparing people to develop a humane society, a society composed of families living in harmony and having a common goal: resolution (happiness) in every human being, prosperity in every family, fearlessness (trust) in society, and co-existence in nature/existence. Day 1: Societal Development, Current State & Role of Education Day 2: Human Society and Human Education – Experiences of Implementing Universal Human Values Day 3: Implementing Human Values in Higher Education Dasho Nidup Dorji, VC, Royal University of Bhutan opened the conference with a talk on “Urgent Need for Value Education”. Prof. Rajeev Sangal, Director IIT (BHU), Varanasi & Ex. Director, IIIT, Hyderabad shared the purpose of this conference along with the journey at IIIT, Hyderabad. Prof. Ramancharla Pradeep Kumar, IIIT, Hyderabad shared how the Government of Andhra Pradesh took the bold initiative of incorporating universal human values in 17 universities in Andhra Pradesh (now AP & Telangana). Dr. A. P. Singh, Dean Research & Industrial Linkages, Punjab Technical University shared the overall progress in implementing universal human values in higher education between ICHVHE2014 and ICHVHE2015, i.e. in the last one year. He first read the messages of the Sh. Madan Mohan Mittal, Minister of Technical Education, Government of Punjab, as well as that of Sh. Rakesh Verma, IAS, Secretary Technical Education, Government of Punjab. He shared that as a direct result of ICHVHE2014 at PTU, two universities in Pakistan and the Atmiya Group of Institutions, Rajkot have made significant effort on universal human values. A book of experiences in implementing universal human values at the Royal University of Bhutan entitled “Refocusing Education for GNH: Embracing Heaven on Earth” was released by Her Majesty. There were talks by resource persons, sharing of experiences and lively panel discussions over 3 days. The program is attached.

Participation was very strong from 10 countries

1. Bhutan - The president of the newly founded University of Health Sciences was present for all 3 days. This is in addition to the Royal University of Bhutan participants (about 20)
2. India - 18 vice chancellors and about 30 professor level participants in addition to the participants from the collaborating Indian Universities
3. Pakistan - 1 university
4. Bangladesh - 1 VC & 1 Dean of DIU + others
5. Sri Lanka - 2 VCs + others
6. Nepal - Registrar of 1 university
7. Germany - Professor
8. Japan - Professors
9. Thailand - Professor
10. Norway - Professor 3
Several new commitments were made for curricular reform, and incorporating a Foundation Course in Universal Human Values in various universities and organisations. These will be reviewed during the next conference By the 3rd day, the following commitments were recorded:
1. Gesar Gyelpo University of Medical Sciences, Thimphu, Bhutan by the President, Dr. K. P. Tshering

2. Adesh University, Bhatinda, Punjab, India (Medical University) by the VC, Dr. IGI Singh

3. Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh by the VC, Dr. Luftar Rehman

4. Koyoto University, Japan by the Head of Department, Dr. Craig Smith

5. Makanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita & Sanchar University, Bhopal, India by the VC, Prof. Brij Kishore Kuthiala

6. Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka by VC, Prof. Ranjith Premalal De Sliva

7. University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka by the VC, Prof. Sampath Priyantha Perera Amaratunge
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4th International Conference on HUMAN VALUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION Educating for a GNH Society – Universal Human Values 27th to 29th March 2015 at GCBS, Gedu (Bhutan) Recommendations
1. It was unanimously and strongly felt that UHV education should be introduced as an essential part of the curriculum in the form a foundation course, particularly in the domain of higher technical education, at the national level. Extensive experiments which have been carried out so far have adequately established the viability and effectiveness of such a strategy. Necessary resource material, resource persons and teacher orientation programmes have also become available to enable its initiation in any university or institution of higher learning.

2. Even though different formats may be adapted for introducing such a foundational input, the content and process need to be compatible with the following guiding principles to achieve the desired goals:
a. Universal – for all human beings in all space in all time
b. Logical – students should be able to rationally discuss various issues
c. Verifiable – students should be able to verify on one‟s own (on the basis of one‟s own Natural Acceptance and Validation experientially in living)
d. Humanistic – conducive to the good of humanity
e. All encompassing – touching all aspects of human life

3. The foundation course should be targeted to provide a holistic perception based on right understanding which is to be successively supplemented with appropriate extra-curricular activities and projects, higher elective courses, social internships etc. to consolidate right understanding and facilitate living in accordance with it.

4. Continuous efforts need to be made through the value education cell at the institutional level to create a conducive environment for „living the values‟.

5. To provide requisite thrust to this activity, it is essential to promote R&D work for overall curricular modifications, development of resource material, teacher training etc. to finally evolve more appropriate models of education in the light of right understanding.

6. Efforts should also be made to develop P.G. diploma/degree courses to provide a comprehensive understanding of this theme particularly for prospective teachers and researches.

7. For this, centers of excellence need to be created at various nodal institutions/universities where already sufficient work has been accomplished.

8. MHRD, UGC, AICTE and other monitoring and accreditation bodies in respective countries should be approached to obtain policy as well as other umbrella support to proliferate this activity at a wider level and to duly recognize and reward the value competence of teachers and students along with their other academic skills.

9. The interest and commitment shown by the representatives from SAARC countries and the progress already made by Bhutan in this direction is really very encouraging. A coordination committee may be set up for close follow-up and initiation of new experiments in these neighbouring countries paving way towards building an International network.
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10. Efforts should be made on priority, to introduce UHVE in teacher training programmes such as Lecturer training (B.Ed., M.Ed. etc. to prepare ground for introducing UHVE in school education as well.

11. Need for orienting bureaucracy on UHV through refresher training programmes in centre/state administration academies or mid-career training programs was also highlighted. In this context, introduction of a compulsory paper from this year on „Ethics, Values and Aptitudes‟ in the civil services examination by UPSC (India) was hailed as a welcome step. This would really fructify if supported by appropriate training in this area, particularly by the administrative academies.

12. Orienting politicians and future politicians was also suggested

13. The 5th ICHVHE 2016 to be held at Atmiya Group of Institutions, Rajkot, India in the month of February 2016

Recommendations Specific to Royal University of Bhutan:
1) The importance of introducing Human Values in Higher Education cannot be ignored. It must cover all the students as a foundational course.

2) People in decision making positions (Heads Of Institutes) should be trained in Human Values in Higher Education.

3) Need to focus on development of resource persons (facilitators). RUB colleges must develop a critical mass of people who have the courage and confidence, who can teach and live human values and take the lead role in taking this noble initiative forward. Training of all the staff (faculty and staff) is essential as they live their life in colleges. Accordingly, the 8 day UHVE program should be made mandatory for all staff).

4) Establishment of Human Values cells and resource center, and need to create central repository of materials for sharing HV materials

5) Strategies should be developed for sustainability of Human Value initiatives in the colleges

6) National conference/annual conference / university conference

7) Use of IT and social media (limited to members, restricted to own members ) to enhance interaction and trace progress of members-people familiar with HV

8) Include Gesar Gyelpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan in UHV initiatives/activities

9) Pursue social and qualitative research focused on action, process, change and transformation, and continued improvement and development

10) Development of Documentary on Human values
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4th International Conference on HUMAN VALUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION Educating for a GNH Society – Universal Human Values 27th to 29th March 2015 at GCBS, Gedu (Bhutan) PROGRAM _____________________________________________________________________________________ 27 March 2015 (Day 1): Societal Development, Current State & Role of Education _____________________________________________________________________________________ 9.00 – 10.00 am Registration 10.00 – 10.30 am Marchang (Welcome Ceremony) 10.30 am – 12.30 pm T1. Inauguration Chief Guest: Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck
Welcome to the conference and Urgent Need for Value Education

- Dasho Nidup Dorji, Vice Chancellor, Royal University of Bhutan 15 min
Background of ICHVHE & Purpose of this conference

– Prof. Rajeev Sangal, Director IIT (BHU), Varanasi 20 min
Efforts at IIIT Hyderabad – Prof. Ramancharla Pradeep Kumar, IIIT, Hyderabad 10 min
History & Progress from Last Conference – Dr. A. P. Singh, Dean RIC, Punjab Technical University
Introduction to Universal Human Values – Shri Ganesh Bagaria, Manaviya Shiksha Sansthan15 min
Release of Book – Refocusing Education for GNH 10 min
Inaugural address by Chief Guest

– Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck 30 min
Vote of Thanks – Dr. Lhato Jamba, Director General, GCBS 5 min

12.30 – 1.30 pm Consecration of Stupa (Chorten) by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck Lunch (Please meet in your Special Interest Groups*) * Special Interest Groups (SIGs):
1. Government Education Policy Makers
2. UGC
3. Universities
4. Teachers
5. Societal Organisations
6. Others

Bhutan Core Group please participate in each SIG Guidelines for Sharing: We warmly acknowledge the "historical" efforts in value education which have made a difference, and allowed all of us to reach where we are today. Multiple approaches, in this case, are complementary and allow us to reach a larger number of students and hence must be discussed. The three basic criteria for sharing any particular effort are: 1. The effort should satisfy the 4-point guidelines (universal, rational, verifiable and leading to harmony) 2. The effort should have been tried in education concretely and not just be based on theoretical arguments alone 3. The effort should be proliferating, from one institution to another, in a natural manner In a short conference like this one, we can focus on approaches that have been “experimented on a large scale” 7
27 March 2015 (Day 1): Societal Development, Current State & Role of Education (Cont) 1.30 – 3.00 pm T2. Talks: GNH Development Model & Education for GNH Session Chair: Dr. Samdru Chettri, Executive Director, Centre for GNH Studies Topic Areas:
What is the GNH model of development of society
What is meant by the terms: Gross, National & Happiness
How GNH includes GDP; and in more than GDP
How is GNH measured
What is the state of GNH year after year
How has education in Bhutan prepared students for contributing to a GNH society

Speakers (60 min):
1. Dasho Pema Thinley, Ex-VC, RUB
2. Mr. Tshewang Tandin, Director General, Department of Adult & Higher Education
3. Aum Nancy Stricland, Canadian Development Agency
4. Ex. Lyonpo TS Powdel, Ex. Minister Education

GNH-UHV Model (30 min) Mr. Tshering, CST, Bhutan & Sh. Umesh Jadhav, GCBS, Bhutan 3.00 – 3.30 pm Tea 3.30 – 4.30 pm T3. Panel Discussion: Society & Education – Prevalent Models & Consequences Indicative Issues:
Prevalent models of society
Preparation of people by way of education
o Attitude & mindset of student (individualistic, family oriented, societal, national, global etc)
o The skill-set & ability to take responsibility by the student
o Clarity & commitment to contribute to development (of family, society, nature etc.)
Consequences of choice of societal model and the model of education
o Are educated people happy? Is there justice in their families? Are their families prosperous?
o How these educated people contribute to development of society

Moderator: Lopen Lungtaen Gyatso, Director, Institute of Language & Culture Studies Panellists:
1. Mr. Chewang Rinzin, Programme Coordinator, Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies, Phuntsholing, Bhutan
2. Dr. Dorjee Thinley, Director Research & Industrial Linkages, RUB, Bhutan
3. Prof. G Bhagyanarayana, Vice Chancellor, Palamuru University, Mahabubnagar, India
4. Prof. M. Lutfar Rahman, Vice Chancellor, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
5. Prof. Ranjith Premalal De Sliva, Vice Chancellor, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka
6. Sadhu Tyagpriyadas, Atmiya Group of Institutions, Rajkot, India
7. Dr. Kavita Sharma, President, South Asian University, New Delhi, India
8. Ms. Naina Kala Gurung, Royal Academy, Paro, Bhutan

Common Q&A 8
27 March 2015 (Day 1): Societal Development, Current State & Role of Education (Cont) 4.30 – 5.00 pm Tea 5.00 – 6.00 pm T4. Talk: Human Society & Role of Education – Sh. Ganesh Bagaria, MSSS, Kanpur 6.30 – 8.00 pm Tea & Cultural Program – Celebrating Co-existence 8.00 – 9.30 pm Dinner 8.30 – 9.30 pm Meeting of Special Interest Groups ---End of Day 1--- PANEL DISCUSSIONS Purpose: To deliberate on specific topics so as to arrive at clarity about these topics, to arrive at conclusions and to develop commitment for action. Format:
1. Moderator opening remarks (10 mins)
2. Each panelist opening remarks (5 mins each)
3. Questions from the house & response by panelists / moderator (remaining time)
4. Moderator sum-up and closing remarks (10 mins)
5. PPT/audio-visuals may be difficult for short presentations, so we request panelists for sharing their key points without PPT/audio-visuals
6. To accommodate sufficient number of panelists, we request panelists to be precise and to-the-point

Request to Moderator
1. Please share your ideas about the indicative issues, particularly in the light of universal human values
2. Please introduce each panelist as you invite them to share key points succinctly, in the time allocated
3. Please guide the discussion to the point
4. Please encourage adequate participation of the house
5. Please manage time, particularly ensuring fair share of time for all
6. Please summarise the discussion and highlight the conclusions to sum up the panel discussion
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_____________________________________________________________________________________28 March 2015 (Day 2): Human Society and Human Education Experiences of Implementing Universal Human Values _____________________________________________________________________________________ 9.30 – 9.40 am Sum up of Day 1 – Sangay Rinzin, Dean Research, GCBS 9.40 – 11.00 am T5. Talks: Implementing Universal Human Values at Indian Universities – 1 (PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE OF IMPLEMENTING UHV) Session Chair: Sh. Rajul Asthana, Director, International Resource Centre for Universal Human Values & Ethics, Punjab technical University, Kapurthala, Punjab, India
IIIT, Hyderabad – Prof. PJ Narayanan, Director (by video)
UPTU – Prof. Prem Vrat, Ex. VC UPTU & VC Institute of Technology and Management University, Gurgaon, Sh. Jatin Ahlawat, MD, RVIT, Bijnor
PTU - Dr. H. S. Bedi, Chairman BoS-HV, Dr. M. S. Grewal, Director, SUSCET, Tangori, Dr. Jagmeet Bawa, Joint Director IRC, PTU, Dr. Raminder Singh Uppal, HoD, BBSBEC, Sh. Jitender Narula, Asst. Registrar, PTU
Galgotia‟s University – Dr. Kumar Sambhav, AP
HPTU – Prof. Shashi Dhiman, Ex VC, HPTU

11.00 – 11.30 am Tea 11.30 – 1.00 pm T6. Experiences: Implementing GNH Value Education (Universal Human Values) at Royal University of Bhutan Session Chair: Dasho Pema Thinley, Ex. VC RUB Indicative Issues:
Need, Guidelines, Content & Process of Value Education
Experiments with Education for GNH model with UHV in various colleges
Experiences of Students, Teachers and people from society
o Regarding identification of the requirement of physical facility, production of required physical facility & mutual prosperity
o Regarding the feelings in relationship & mutual happiness
o Regarding a sense of responsibility towards family, institution and society

Speakers:
1. Dr. Sangay Rinzin, Dean Research & Industrial Linkages, GCBS
2. Mr. Kala Tshering, Faculty, JNP
3. Mr. RB Chettri, Faculty, CNR
4. Dr. Thubten Gyatso, Director General, PCE
5. Lopen Lungtaen Gyatso, Director, ILCS, Bhutan
6. Dr. Cheki Dorji, Director, CST, Bhutan
7. Mrs. Neyzang Wangmo, Dean Research & Industrial Linkages, Nursing and Public Health
8. Ram Chandra Bajgai, Sherubtse College
9. Ugyen Dorji, SCE

1.00 – 2.00 pm Lunch 10
28 March 2015 (Day 2): Human Society and Human Education & Experiences (cont) 2.00 – 4.00 pm T7. Panel Discussion: Orienting Higher Education for balanced Societal Development with Personal & Family Development Indicative Issues:
How do we orient higher education with balanced & holistic development?
How do we implement value education keeping it universal? Should value education be logical, verifiable and address all aspects of living?

Moderators: Dasho Nidup Dorji, VC RUB Panellists:
1. Dr. K.P Tshering, President, Gesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan
2. Dr. Bishal Situala, University of Life Sciences, Netherlands
3. Prof. Craig Smith, Professor, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Japan
4. Prof. Gita Dharampal, Professor, Heidelberg University, Germany
5. Prof. Sampath Priyantha Perera Amaratunge, Vice Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
6. Prof. M. Lutfar Rahman, Vice Chancellor, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
7. S.M. Mahbub-Ul-Haque Majumder, Dean, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh

Common Q&A 4.00 – 4.30 pm Tea 4.30 – 6.00 pm T8. Talk: Human Education for Human Society – Prof. Kumar Sambhav, Galgotia‟s University
6.30 pm Dinner 7.30 – 9.30 pm Meeting of Special Interest Groups
---End of Day 2---11
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 29 March 2015 (Day 3): Implementing Human Values in Higher Education _____________________________________________________________________________________ 9.30 – 9.40 am Sum up of Day 1 & 2 – Sangay Rinzin, Dean Research, GCBS 9.40 – 11.00 am T9. Talks: Implementing Universal Human Values at Indian Universities – 2 Session Chair: Prof. R. R. Gaur, NRCVEE, IIT Delhi
Dr. Rajneesh Arora, Ex. VC PTU
Atmiya Group of Institutions – Prof. J. N. Shah, Director, Atmiya Group of Institutions, Rajkot
AP & Telengana – Dr. Kalyan Mohan Goli
IIT (BHU), Varanasi – Prof. R. K. Mishra
IASE – Dr. Surendra Pathak

11.00 – 11.30 am Tea 11.30 – 1.00 pm T10. Talks: Process & Steps for Implementing Human Values in Higher Education (FROM PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE OF IMPLEMENTING UHV)
1. Prof. R. R. Gaur, NRCVEE, IIT Delhi
Comprehensive UHV Package
2. Sh. Rajul Asthana, Director, IRC-UHVE, PTU
Steps for Implementing Human Values in Higher Education

1.00 – 2.00 pm Lunch 2.00 - 4.00 pm T11. Panel Discussion: Future Plans for Implementing Universal Human Values In Higher Education (Specific Commitments) Indicative Issues:
My plan to introduce or reinforce human values in my university / organization
How I have been creating conducive environment in my university / organization for living with human values
Strategies and mechanisms for scaling up, policy for large scale proliferation
Providing thrust to applied research in human values

Moderator: Dr. Rajneesh Arora, Ex. VC PTU Panellists (in 2 parts):
1. Dr. Dorji Tshering, Director General, Department of Traditional Medicines, Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan
2. Dr. Tshewang Tandin, Director General, Department of Adult & Higher Education, Bhutan
3. Dr. K.P Tshering, President, Gesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan
4. Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Khozo, Area Study Centre, Far East and Southeast Asia, University of Sindh, Pakistan
5. Prof. Ranjith Premalal De Sliva, Vice Chancellor, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka
6. Prof. Sampath Priyantha Perera Amaratunge, Vice Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
7. Dr. Hem Raj Pant, Registrar, Far West University, Nepal
8. Prof. M. Lutfar Rahman, Vice Chancellor, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
9. Prof. Craig Smith, Professor, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Japan
10. Dr. Bishal Situala, University of Life Sciences, Netherlands
11. Prof. Brij Kishore Kuthiala, Vice Chancellor, Makanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita & Sanchar University, Bhopal, India
12. Prof. Gur Prit Inder Singh, VC, Adesh University, Bathinda, India
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13. Prof. Yoginder Verma, VC, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala, India
14. Dr. R K Mishra, IIT (BHU), Varanasi, India
15. Prof. S S Murthy, Ex-VC, Central University of Karnataka, Gulbarga, India
16. Dr. A. Victor Devadoss, AP, Loyola College, Madras University, India
17. Dr. Vinay Sharma, Department of Mgmt. Studies, IIT Roorkee, India
18. Ms. Soma Bhowmik, AP, William Carey University, Shillong, India

Common Q&A 4.00 – 4.30 pm Tea 4.30 – 6.00 pm T12. Valedictory – Summary and Way Forward Observations, Summary & Recommendations – Dr. Dorji Tshering, Director Research, RUB Closing Remarks – Dasho Nidup Dorji, VC RUB Vote of Thanks – Dr. Lhato Jamba, Director General GCBS 6.30 pm onwards Evening Tea followed by Farewell Dinner ---End of Day 3, End of Conference--- Committees:
1. Recommendations of the Conference – Required by Day 3 at 4.30 pm to be approved & read by Dasho VC
2. Conference Documentation – Required for on-line publication
3. Media / Press Notes – Required for each day at most by the end of that day


Bhutan Core Group to take primary responsibility for Committees

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