With an aim to encourage academic activities of students, research scholars and faculty through quality exposure to contemporary research, the department of English of St Joseph University, launched a Research Forum on March 20.
A press release by the university stated that chief guest of the program, Dinesh Gupta, read out the manifesto of the forum and also delivered an inaugural lecture on the topic, “Conflicts – Issues and Management”.
In his talk, he explained how people’s perceptions are misled by stereotypes leading to intolerance and violence.
In an interaction with students, Gupta spoke about how such stereotypes could only be dismantled by changing one’s perspectives and having a “liberal, logical, humanistic and progressive outlook”.
Head of department of English SJU, Dr. Sudeesh, described the overall vision of the department, emphasizing on the role of research in enabling a person to overcome prevalent stereotypes about religion, caste, tribes, gender, race etc. The inaugural session started with an invocation prayer by Sr. Laly Varghese; a welcome note by Dr. Thakchom Sunanda Devi; a keynote address by SJU, vice chancellor, Dr. Gnanadurai. Many students and research scholars presented their research work in the program.