Showing posts with label mkbu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mkbu. Show all posts

Saturday, 23 August 2025

Transformative Role of Universities in a Changing World

 The Transformative Role of Universities in a Changing World



This blog is on an orientation address (24 July 2025) by Prof. Dilip Barad for new university students, highlighting the transformative period in education driven by global technological advancements like generative AI and national policy changes such as the National Education Policy. It outlines the historical evolution of universities, tracing their roots from ancient gurukuls and academies to the establishment of the modern university system in the 11th-12th centuries, particularly the University of Bologna. The address then explains the three core principles of a university as enshrined in the 1988 Magna Carta Universitatum: academic freedom in research and teaching, the inseparable link between teaching and research, and the university as a centre for free inquiry and dialogue. Finally, it stresses the importance of evolving teaching methods as students progress to postgraduate studies and introduces new digital resources and platforms, like online e-libraries and the "One Nation One Subscription" scheme, to enhance the quality of research and learning, particularly overcoming language barriers with AI translation tools.

The speech in Hindi can be listened here:





AI-generated video summary:

This Hindi speech was uploaded on Google AI tool notebooklm. This AI tool generated this 5-minute video summary from this 14-minute speech:




AI-generated text summary:

Navigating the Tides of Change: Your University Journey in the 21st Century
Good morning to all students, faculty, and dignitaries! We stand at a pivotal moment, a "very good morning" indeed, as we embark on a discussion about the university's crucial role in education. The world, our nation, and even our state are experiencing a powerful "wind of change".

A World in Flux: Embracing Paradox
Globally, we are witnessing the climax of technological innovation, particularly with Generative AI and Artificial Intelligence. The speaker ponders how this will reshape our education and lives – whether it will "disrupt, destroy, or give a good shape" to them remains to be seen. Nationally, we are in the fifth year of implementing the National Education Policy (NEP), grappling with its spirit and application across all levels of education. At the state level, new Common Acts and Statutes for Public Universities are bringing their own set of challenges and experiences.
This era of profound change echoes the sentiments of great literary figures. Like Wordsworth's reflections on the French Revolution – "to be alive in that dawn was bliss, but to be young was heaven" – we find ourselves in an exhilarating, yet uncertain, time. Charles Dickens' opening lines from A Tale of Two Cities perfectly summarize our current state:
• "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."
• "It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."
• "It was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness..."
We truly have "everything before us, we had nothing before us". In this paradoxical landscape, understanding the essence of a university is more vital than ever.

The Enduring Spirit of Universities: From Ancient Gurukuls to Modern Academia
The concept of organized learning is ancient, with the Gurukul system in India and Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum in Greece. Later, institutions like Nalanda, Taxila, and Vallabhi Universities flourished in India, primarily focusing on Buddhist philosophy, alongside mathematics and science.
However, the modern university as we know it emerged in the 11th and 12th centuries with the founding of the University of Bologna in Italy. A critical development in the mid-12th century (1155-88) was the inclusion of Academic Freedom in its charter.
Fast forward to 1988; to celebrate Bologna's 900th anniversary, the Magna Carta Universitatum was adopted. This charter reaffirms the fundamental values of a university. Many prestigious Indian universities, including Banaras Hindu University, JNU, University of Kolkata, University of Delhi, University of Mumbai, Visva-Bharati, Anna University, Kurukshetra University, and Punjab University, along with Gujarat's Maharaja Sayajirao University, have signed this Magna Carta.
The Magna Carta Universitatum outlines three core principles that should guide every university:
1. Freedom: Research and teaching must be intellectually and morally independent of political influence and economic interests.
2. Inseparable Link between Teaching and Research: These two aspects cannot be separated. Students are encouraged to become active participants in the pursuit and deepening of knowledge. When you join a university after graduation, you transcend being merely a "student" to become a "scholar," actively engaging in research.
3. Centre for Free Inquiry and Dialogue: Universities are places for open investigation and debate, characterized by a spirit of openness to dialogue and a rejection of intolerance.
These three principles form the enduring vision of a university that we strive to uphold.

The NEP's Vision: Evolving Teachers for Evolving Minds
The National Education Policy (NEP) is designed with a specific "spirit" in mind: teachers should change as students progress through different educational stages. This is because teachers develop a specific mindset tailored to the age group they teach. Just as a primary school teacher might not be suitable for high school, or an 11th/12th-grade teacher for a college, the NEP advocates for a change in teachers when students move from undergraduate to postgraduate and research (PhD) programmes.
This transition is crucial because at the postgraduate and research levels, students are expected to become scholars, embracing both research and teaching simultaneously. If teachers remain the same, students might not be able to develop new perspectives or break free from undergraduate learning patterns. The university's postgraduate and PhD programmes are the "peak of the pyramid" in our education system, a place for advanced learning and scholarly pursuit.

Unlocking Knowledge in the Digital Age: Resources at Your Fingertips
While we acknowledge potential limitations in infrastructure or the need for international-level facilities, the current global technological era is opening new doors, particularly through online and virtual platforms. Your university is committed to providing access to unparalleled resources:
• Online E-Library Access: If you've opened a library account, you should have received an email granting access to the university's online e-library application. This platform provides free access to thousands of articles from JSTOR journals, a subscription that is otherwise very costly for individuals and even institutions. The aim is to encourage you to rely on quality journal articles over guidebooks or "cheap study material".
• Breaking Language Barriers with Generative AI: For those who find English a barrier, the excuse is now obsolete. Generative AI (like ChatGPT or Gemini) can instantly translate any English article into Gujarati (or other languages) within minutes. This advanced machine translation is far superior to older versions, eliminating linguistic limitations in your pursuit of knowledge.
• One Nation One Subscription (ONeS): Beyond what the university subscribes to, the Indian government has launched the ONeS.gov.in scheme. This initiative provides free access to a vast array of high-quality journals. To access this, you must use the university's network—be it in the library or your department—ensuring you utilize this quality material for your teaching and research.
In choosing this university, you have made a significant decision, and we are grateful for your trust. We are committed to making your two-year journey excellent, filled with quality education, research opportunities, and lifelong memories.

Thank you, and welcome to this exciting phase of your academic life!



AI-generated mind map:



Monday, 3 April 2023

MA English Study Material Bhavnagar University

 M.A. English - Study Material

Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University






Saturday, 18 March 2023

Memorabilia 2023

Annual Function and the release of Memorabilia 2023 

Memorabilia 2023 released by Prin. Dr. Sunita Nimavat

Memorabilia 2023 released by Prin. Dr. Sunita Nimavat

Video Recording of the Annual Function 2023


Memorabilia 2023


Click here to Download Memorabilia 2023

From the Desk of the Head of the Department

~ Dilip Barad

Amidst the ethereal dreams of a future world driven by Artificial Intelligence, we now find ourselves living in the very revolution we once imagined. The present is a surreal reality, and its sheer brilliance leaves us in awe. A mere glimpse of AI's eloquence with the English language is enough to make one's heart skip a beat. As we contemplate the digital revolution, we're reminded of Wordsworth's iconic words in Book XI of the Prelude[1]:

"Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive,

But to be young was very heaven! - Oh! Times!"


 

These lines, written for the fervent enthusiasts of the French Revolution, resonate equally with digital aficionados.

One could draw parallels between the French Revolution and the digital age, and take the perspective of a typical Luddite[2] to discern similarities between the frustration that accompanies a trail of revolution. The Tale of Two Cities[3], which opens with the famous lines,

" It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us," echoes the tumultuous nature of our digital era.

 

Living on the 'threshold of time,' we face technological uncertainties that are certainties, digital disruptions that rupture the very fabric of our being with revelry. It is imperative that we look to the youth to display a level of sensibility and maturity that surpasses that of previous generations. Should they fail to do so, the best of times could turn into the worst of times, this age could become a period of digital dumbness, and despair and darkness will surely follow. The youth must tread with caution, ensuring they navigate this new path with a profound understanding of the potential consequences of Artificial Intelligence.

As students of the English language, we must come to terms with the perilous threat that AI, as a language transformer, poses to our future job prospects. Tools such as OpenAI's ChatGPT have already achieved an impressive level of performance, which could potentially jeopardize the livelihoods of English language teachers. Yet, the future is not entirely bleak. Even with the advent of these language generative tools, there will always be a demand for those who possess the skill of identifying and rectifying errors. For those who have a natural gift for working with language, the future is bright. This also serves as an ominous warning for those who have acquired a Masters in English or passed competitive exams like TET or NET, for they may find themselves jobless or unwanted if they fail to surpass AI's capabilities in terms of linguistic expertise and literary sensibilities.

Our current batch (2021-23) has shown remarkable potential, bringing accolades and honor to the Department of English in various ways. In 2022, many students from this batch secured top positions in the Research Paper Writing Competition organized by the Research Facilitation Center of Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University. Several students delivered research paper presentations in a Seminar of National level, exhibiting their academic prowess. In the Youth Festival 2022, the Department exhibited an incredible performance after almost two decades of dormancy. Participation in sports and cultural events was better than ever before, and students shone brilliantly in other prestigious events of Bhavnagar City, such as Excel Expressions.

Let us not forget that the talents of bygone eras are but echoes of the past, and the arrival of a new decade demands a novel set of aptitudes to be acquired. The youth of today must don the mantle of being lifelong learners, possessing an innate ability to self-educate and adapt to the ever-shifting digital terrain. Alas, the unrelenting onslaught of the pandemic has instilled a sense of languor in many of you, and the youth must rise up to face not only the challenge of this slothful demeanor but also the sundry health hazards that accompany unpredictable weather changes, engendering an array of allergic afflictions.

In these trying times, the virtues of mental and physical well-being will be akin to precious pearls, coveted and treasured above all else. Hence, it is never too late to cultivate a healthy routine of engaging in outdoor activities, be it at the break of dawn or the fall of dusk.



Our department strives to cultivate students to not only possess a mature understanding of life and human nature through the prism of literature but also possess the digital acumen needed to excel in the contemporary world.

We believe that learning literature helps students gain a deeper understanding of life and human nature through the prism of different literary works. It enables them to analyze complex ideas, identify different perspectives, and make informed judgments. By studying literature, students can develop empathy and sensitivity towards people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, as they are exposed to various literary works that reflect the human experience.

On the other hand, in today's digital age, having digital skills has become essential for personal and professional growth. Digital skills are required in almost every field, and students who possess them are more likely to excel in their careers. By acquiring digital skills, students can improve their problem-solving abilities, enhance their creativity, and increase their efficiency in performing various tasks. Additionally, digital skills are in high demand in the job market, and possessing them can significantly increase students' employability.

Therefore, the combination of literature and digital skills creates a well-rounded individual who can navigate the contemporary world with ease. Students who possess both can analyze complex issues, think critically, communicate effectively, and excel in their careers. The department's aim to cultivate such students, who can soar high and realize their aspirations, is commendable as it recognizes the importance of holistic education that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

We fervently hope that by the time you graduate, you will have grown wings to soar high and realize your aspirations with ease.

As we journey through the digital revolution, let us not forget the hopes and aspirations that fuel our dreams. May we rise to meet the challenges of this new era with Wordsworthian zeal, ever mindful of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, let us spread our wings and take flight, soaring towards a future filled with infinite possibilities.

Yet, as we strive for success and fulfillment, let us not be blinded by the bright lights of progress. Let us heed the warning of Dickensian dichotomies and tales of Hard Times, which remind us of the dark side of our existence. For in this world of light, there are shadows that lurk in the corners, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey. Let us be vigilant and cautious, ever mindful of the pitfalls and dangers that lie in wait.

So, my dear friends, let us move forward with optimism and hope, embracing the duality of our existence. For in this balance lies the key to a successful and fulfilling life. May your hopes and aspirations remain unscathed, even as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of the digital age.


 



[1] The subtitle of The Prelude is 'Growth of a Poet's Mind'. William Wordsworth (1770-1850) began writing his autobiographical blank verse epic in 1798, working on it intermittently until 1839. It was published posthumously in 1850.

[2] 19C protester against technology: a worker who was involved in protests in the United Kingdom in the 1810s against new factory methods of production and who favored traditional methods of work.

[3] A Tale of Two Cities is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution.



Wednesday, 15 February 2023

Dissertation Writing

 

Research Project Writing: Dissertation Writing



Course Objectives:

The learning objectives for writing a dissertation can be organized using Bloom's Taxonomy, which categorizes educational goals into six levels:

1.       Remembering: recall relevant information from memory, such as key concepts and theories related to the dissertation topic.

2.       Understanding: comprehend the meaning of the information and how it relates to the dissertation topic.

3.       Applying: use the information to solve problems or make decisions relevant to the dissertation topic.

4.       Analyzing: break down the information into component parts and understand how they relate to each other and to the dissertation topic as a whole.

5.       Evaluating: make judgments about the value or quality of the information and its relevance to the dissertation topic.

6.       Creating: use the information to generate new ideas, designs or theories related to the dissertation topic.

For example, a dissertation on the impact of social media on political participation, the learning objectives could be:

1.       Remembering key theories of political participation

2.       Understanding how social media affects political participation

3.       Applying data analysis techniques to study the relationship between social media and political participation

4.       Analyzing the impact of social media on different groups' political participation

5.       Evaluating the strengths and limitations of existing studies on the topic

6.       Creating new hypotheses or theories about the relationship between social media and political participation.

For more examples, visit study material website > https://sites.google.com/view/maengmkbu2020/

 Description

 

Marks: 70 | Hours: 60 | Credit - 4

 

  • The dissertation of 75 to 100 pages or 20,000 to 25,000 words shall be submitted to the University.

  • The format of writing dissertation shall be as given below:

    • Font Size: 16 - Main Title of the Chapter > 14 Sub-titles within the chapter > 12 for main content.

    • Line Space: 1.5 line space.

    • Print: On both sides of the pages

    • Bind: Spiral 

    • The dissertation shall be approved by the Department teacher/s and duly forwarded through the Head of the Department.

The evaluation of the dissertations shall be done by internal and external examiners similar to that of answer books of MA – English programme.

Internal evaluation in form of presentation shall be carried out at the Department in presence of the Head of the Department and/or concerned teacher / supervisor. 

 

Continuous Internal Evaluation

Presentation - 25 Marks

Seminar / attendance - 05 Marks

Written Test - 00 Marks

Note:

Integration of ICT for blog, presentation, video resources will be integral part of CIA. All works produced by the students for internal evaluation shall be presented as digital portfolio.

Course Specific Learning Outcome:

1.   Remember: Students will be able to recall key concepts, theories, and research methods related to dissertation writing.

2.   Understand: Students will be able to explain the purpose and significance of their research topic, as well as the research methods they plan to use.

3.   Apply: Students will be able to use appropriate research methods to collect and analyze data for their dissertation.

4.   Analyze: Students will be able to critically evaluate and interpret their data, and integrate it with existing literature to make original conclusions and recommendations.

5.   Evaluate: Students will be able to assess the limitations and implications of their research, and consider potential future directions for further study.

6.   Create: Students will be able to compose a well-written, coherent dissertation that effectively communicates their research findings and conclusions.

These course-specific learning outcomes focus on the cognitive process of dissertation writing and how students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter, and the skills they've acquired by the end of the course.

Suggesting Reading List:


Wednesday, 26 October 2022

Amrit Rang Youth Festival 2022 MKBU

Amrit Rang Youth Festival 2022 - Task for the students to write reflective blog

Youth Festival is an amazing opportunity to experience various artistic expression of the young generation. It has almost all sorts of artistic events and hence it becomes 'fair of art' and 'fountain of youthful exuberance'.
Youth Festival shall never be missed out by students of art, literature and literature. It provides rare opportunity to apply literary theories on the artistic expression on the university campus by students of their own age. The critique of the artistic expression of students by students is an ultimate test of Matthew Arnold's 'personal fallacy'.

The following task was given to students to write reflective blog based on below given points to ponder:

All students shall write at least one blog on your observation of various Youth Festival activities. Here are some points to ponder upon:

1. Themes represented in various tableaux of Kala-yatra - 18 Sept 2022 - From Victoria Park Water Tank to Amphi-theater. 4 pm to 6 pm.
2. Major themes in dramatic events like One Act Play (एकांकी), Skit (लघु नाटक), Mime (मूक अभिनय) , Mono-acting (एक पात्रीय अभिनय). (This is very important. Do not miss to watch One Act Play - Atal Auditorium - 20 sept - 8 am to 2 pm)
3. Can you apply dramatic literary theories propounded by Aristotle (Tragedy), Ben Jonson (Comedy of Humours), Dryden (Play), Martin Esslin (Absurd theatre), Irving Wardle (Comedy of Menace) on the dramatic events presented in the Youth Festival?
4. Can you categories One Act Play or other dramatic events as sentimental / anti-sentimental comedy, comedy of manners, classical tragedy, modern tragicomedy or bollywoodish theatre performance?
5. Poetry: In poetry, we have only one event in Youth Festival. સ્વ રચિત કાવ્ય પઠન: If you get chance to listen poems (as it will be in classroom and may be all do not get chance to occupy space) - write on themes, metaphors used in the poems, types of poems (sonnet, lyric etc).
6. On last day, before or after valedictory, all art events like cartooning, painting, collage, poster making, clay-modelling, installation will be open for public display. You can study themes, satire, didacticism, aestheticism in all these artistic expressions.
7. Your experience as participant, if you have participated in any event.
8. If you happen to watch Short Films.... write on the themes and cinematic techniques used by students in the making of the films
9. Lastly, write on which ever other events you attend and along with it, overall feeling of experiencing Youth Festival - ponder upon this - it is known as 'festival of youthfulness' - युवानी का महोत्सव.

In this youth festival, the students of Department of English won positions in several events.