From April 18th to April 22nd, 2024 Prof. Balwant Singh, the honourable Director of Partap College of Education, along with Dr. Manpreet Kaur, Principal of the college, embarked on a significant academic visit to Kaliningrad, Russia. The primary objective of the visit was to foster international collaboration in the field of education and academic research and to participate 24th International Pedagogical Congress convened at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Kaliningrad, Russia under the overarching theme of “Sustainable Development of Education: Mission, Transformation, Resources”. Their participation not only underscored the global significance of the congress but also heralded a testament to the enduring bonds of collaboration between nations in the pursuit of educational excellence.
At the outset of the plenary session, Professor A. A. Fedorov, Rector of IKBF University, extended a warm welcome to the Indian contingent, acknowledging the value of cross-cultural collaboration in advancing educational frontiers. His sentiments echoed the ethos of mutual understanding and shared scholarship that permeated the congress.
The organizers of the congress by recognizing the broader impact on the advancement of knowledge and the promotion of scholarly dialogue invited Prof. Singh to present his welcome speech in the plenary session of the congress. In his welcome speech, Professor Balwant Singh lauded the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Partap College and IKBFU, emphasizing its pivotal role in fostering academic cooperation and exchange between the two institutions. This symbolic gesture underscored the commitment to nurturing enduring partnerships in the pursuit of educational advancement.
As the main theme of the congress is ‘Sustainable Development of Education: Mission, Transformation, Resources’ Professor Balwant Singh’s keynote address, titled “Bridging Cultures for Sustainable Development: The Role of Intercultural Communication,” served as a clarion call for embracing cultural diversity as a catalyst for educational progress. He underscored the intrinsic link between education and sustainable development, advocating for a paradigm shift towards fostering multiculturalism, cosmopolitanism, and global citizenship. By placing culture at the heart of educational policies, Professor Singh emphasized the transformative potential of harnessing local resources, knowledge, and skills to engender creativity and sustainable progress. Furthermore, he emphasized the cultivation of a culture of empathy and harmony, imbued with values conducive to conflict resolution and ecological stewardship, thus fostering enduring relationships between humanity and nature. This keynote was presided by Vice-Rector Professor Olga Kim.
The congress is a joint event with International Kant Congress which marked the 300th anniversary of the outstanding intellectual Immanuel Kant and in this context Dr. Manpreet Kaur’s keynote, “Becoming Human: Philosophical Reflections of Kantian Thoughts in the Contemporary Era,” delved into the timeless wisdom of Immanuel Kant and its relevance in modern educational discourse. She expounded upon Kant’s vision of education as an instrument for moral enlightenment and civic responsibility, lamenting the contemporary dearth of emphasis on humanistic values. Dr. Kaur advocated for the integration of Kantian ideals with indigenous educational philosophies, envisioning a pedagogical landscape that nurtures not only knowledgeable individuals but also conscientious citizens capable of navigating the complexities of the modern world. Her discourse resonated with the imperative of reclaiming the moral compass of education, guided by principles of human dignity and ethical conduct.
Prof Balwant Singh and Dr, Manpreet Kaur were invited for a special meeting with Honourable Rector, Professor A. A. Federov, and esteemed dignitaries such as Vice-Rector Professor Olga Kim, and Professor Anna O Budarina, discussions encompassed a spectrum of collaborative initiatives under the IKBFU Centre for Russian Pedagogy and Language at the Partap College of Education which was established on 2nd February this year. Honourable Rector, Professor A. A. Federov presented the calendar of activities for IKBFU Centre. Appreciating the efforts of IKBFU for planning these activities Prof. Balwant Singh elaborated that a group of enthusiastic students of Partap College of Education has expressed keen interest in enrolling in Russian language classes offered by IKBFU. These students are eager to immerse themselves in the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Russia, and they are committed to dedicating themselves to the language acquisition activities provided by IKBFU. He said that we firmly believe that the collaboration between our institutions presents a unique opportunity to promote cross-cultural understanding and academic excellence. He stressed on planning various activities from academic exchange programs to joint research endeavours and the publication of bilingual research journal. Prof. Balwant Singh also emphasized in his special note that we missed the opportunity to meet Prof. A. A. Federov, and Vice-Rector Professor Olga Kim at PCEL for the establishment of the Russian Pedagogy centre on 2nd February 2024. Prof. Singh again invited Honourable Rector, Professor A. A. Federov to visit PCEL to preside over the annual convocation of the invitation as chief guest and to present the convocation address for passing out teachers for which Prof. Federov very kindly consented and suggested Prof. Olga Kim, Deputy Rector to make arrangements for this visit in the month of November. We conveyed our gratitude for his kind gesture and consent.
Having thorough academic discussion and comprehensive academic plan presented by Prof. Balwant Singh, Prof. Federov appreciated his plan and deep understanding of Russian education system along with global perspective and invited him to join the academic council of IKBFU Kaliningrad, Russia.
The meeting epitomized the spirit of academic diplomacy, laying the groundwork for sustained cooperation and partnership in educational endeavours.
A poignant activity marked the conclusion of the congress, as delegates gathered to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Immanuel Kant. Against the backdrop of his enduring legacy, delegates paid tribute to his profound contributions with prayers and floral offerings. This solemn ceremony served as a poignant reminder of Kant’s enduring relevance in shaping educational discourse and underscored the timeless resonance of his ideas in navigating the complexities of the contemporary world.
In essence, the 24th International Pedagogical Congress epitomized the collective pursuit of educational excellence and sustainability. Through the convergence of diverse perspectives and the forging of global partnerships, delegates charted a course towards a future where education serves as a beacon of enlightenment and empowerment for generations to come. As delegates departed, their hearts alight with the embers of scholarly inquiry, they carried forth a renewed commitment to the ideals espoused by Kant, forging ahead on a collective voyage towards a more enlightened and sustainable future.
