Events : IPSC Teacher’s Conclave 2021
Organized by Mayo College, Ajmer
Date : 5th to 7th July 2021
A very well structured and enriching conference was organized by Mayo College Ajmer for teachers. It was attended by Mrs Neeta Johari and Mrs Seema Baxi representing RKK.
The agenda of the conclave was Society 5.0. The three day long conference aimed at causing awareness and sensitizing the participants about a gradual progression towards Society 5.0.
The first day programme began with inauguration ceremony, a session by Mr Deepak Kapuria (alumnus of Mayo College and Chairman of Hi Tech Company) which led to group discussion in various breakout rooms. Mr Kapuria focused on SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals of UN) and Society 5.0 as an overarching frame for attainment of SDGs. He substantiated his talk with facts and figures that made us aware of how entangled are our lives with technology. The various merits and demerits of technology were presented at length. After the keynote speaker’s address the participants were divided into 12 breakout rooms. Each breakout room had a different topic for discussion. The outcome of each breakout room was summed up towards the end.
The keynote speaker for the second day was Mr S. Sriram, Principal, The Mann School. It was a focused session giving glimpses of futuristic model of Society 5.0. Looking at a human centric society assisted by technology with integration of cyberspace and physical space, the multiple roles of AI, challenges and finding solution to social problems using the Green technology.
A very informative session presented with utmost simplicity, leaving everyone with hopes, acute sensitivity and a sense of responsibility.
The keynote speaker’s session was followed by GD in the breakout rooms and the observations of each group were shared later.
On the third day we had a very enlightening session by Dr Urvashi Aneja. The session was totally rapturous widening everyone's horizons from the tremendous capacity gains, early disease detection, leap in crop yields to the threats posed to one's privacy, widening of disparities, it's effects on labour market etc which were all discussed without any bias. The energetic Q n A session gave everyone a great insight and new perspective. The keynote speaker’s session led to a presentation by Gen. Kulkarni, Director, Mayo College which summed up the observations made during the conclave.
Major take aways of the conclave wereTechnology has become our way of life. We are gradually moving towards futuristic model of Society 5.0 which will be a human centric society assisted by technology.
However the shortcomings of rampant use of technology without the human touch, consciousness and morality will take us back from being a society craving a niche to become Society 5.0 to again the primitive stages.
We may use the same Green Technology in the construction of a sustainable future. We as a society can contribute to the achievement of the goal by changing our values, lives, and attitudes.
When AI plays a larger part in our life, our daily routines will become more efficient and productive. The health-care advantages will be insurmountable. Denial of the importance that technology inhabits today in our lives will only hold us back. Embracing the same will not only lead to a better human-centric society but also an advanced state of human development where we will find more time to pursue knowledge and skills that truly bring us happiness, as the rest of the tasks would be undertaken by technology in a more efficient manner.
People are returning to their origins by embracing green alternatives and attempting to reduce, reuse, and recycle. People are contributing to the sustainable development goals by moving to the suburbs, building energy efficient homes and workplaces, raising awareness, and leading by example. Green technology can help achieve sustainable development by reducing waste, preventing the depletion of non-renewable energy sources, and promoting the use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectricity.
People have completely changed their lifestyle to become greener. Various green start-ups have come up and become popular because of their environment friendly structure. For instance, waste food from restaurants is being saved and shared with people in need, creation of eco-friendly sanitary napkins which produce less plastic waste, using waste to generate electricity and many others.
Teachers are mentors and guides to future generations; thus, they play a vital role. They serve as role models for the pupils to follow, therefore leading by example is essential.
The teacher training curriculum may be redesigned to assist in the development of conscious and responsible educators who can lead children in the direction of sustainability. To help students become more aware, teachers can use contextual examples, as well as experiential learning model. Teachers can assist students move towards the realization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by incorporating Green Technology into the curriculum and lead the way to Society 5.0.
