Mysuru: An inter-national inter-disciplinary conference on “Knowledge partnerships to advance UN sustainable development goals” was held at St.Philomena’s College here recently under the auspices of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Dr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, Chair, ACD University Network, President of SIAM University, Thailand and Vice-President, International Association of Universities, delivering the inaugural address said “sufficiency in economy of philosophy is close to my heart. Our king H.M. Bhumibol Adulyadej strove very hard to bring Thailand from 67 million poor people country to second largest economy among the ASEAN countries. Thailand received 2006 UN achievement award from the then United Nation’s General Kofi Annan for this initiative.”

He continued saying Sufficiency  in Economy of Philosophy (SEP) is about three pillars — Moderate, Reasonableness and Prudence. These three pillars work on two conditions, that is, knowledge condition and virtues condition.

Dr. Pornchai said we should have co-operation over competition and togetherness over division to have knowledge over ignorance and common goals to save planet. He asked every other country to come with living museums and living laboratories, and to turn every educational University into a University with well-being of society, world and planet.

John Arul Phillip, Dean of Education and Cognitive Science, Director of Asia Centre for   E-learning and AE University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, talking about ‘Technology and Change’  spoke about blended learning. Malaysian University uses YouTube for teaching and learning, concentrating on the concept learn, re-learn and unlearn for youth.  

This was followed by Dr. Wooday P. Krishna’s lecture on the topic “Sustainability and Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.” Dr. Krishna, who is the Chairman of Gandhi Peace Foundation and General Secretary of Seshadripuram Educational Trust, eulogised Gandhiji for having thought of sustainability in 1909 itself. In his publication ‘Swarajya’ Gandhiji had written about hazards of civilisation, perspective of morality, sustainability and restraint. Though Gandhi was not against industrialisation, he had quoted “Industries are violence against people and environment. He didn’t want mass production but wanted production by mass. Speaking about the views of Tagore on sustainability Dr. Krishna said “True happiness will not make us rich and happy but fullness of life will make us happy and rich.”

Bishop Emeritus of Mysuru Rt. Rev. Fr. Thomas Anthony Vazhapilly  also spoke.

On the occasion Royal Thai, Consul-General, Chennai, Mrs. Krong Kanit Rackcharoen was felicitated. Later she released a book titled “Chronicle of Thailand.”

Research scholars,  foreign and Indian delegates, faculty members and students attended the event in large numbers.