A One Day International Seminar at Sarsuna College Highlights the Urgent Need for Holistic Educational Reform At a time when education systems across the globe are confronted with unprecedented challenges arising from rapid technological transformation, intensifying competition, and an escalating mental health crisis, Sarsuna College, Kolkata, organised a One Day International Seminar on “Transforming Education for the 21st Century: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Stress, Well-being, and Sustainable Human Development.”
Jointly organised by the Department of Education and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Sarsuna College, in collaboration with the Department of Education, Dhruba Chand Halder College, the seminar brought together eminent scholars, academicians, researchers, and students from across India and abroad. It served as a significant platform for critically examining the changing contours of contemporary education and the urgent need for systemic reform.
The present educational landscape reflects a complex paradox. While digitalisation and global connectivity have vastly expanded access to knowledge, they have simultaneously intensified academic pressure, fostered hyper-competition, and contributed to rising levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional fatigue among learners. Against this backdrop, the seminar underscored the necessity of moving beyond traditional, examinationcentric models towards a more holistic and human-centred paradigm that integrates mental well-being, ethical awareness, and social responsibility.
The discussions emphasised that education must evolve into a learner-centred process that prioritises emotional resilience alongside intellectual growth. In his inaugural address, Dr. Gopal Chandra Mandal, Principal of Sarsuna College, emphasised the importance of value-based education, drawing inspiration from Swami Vivekananda. He noted that education must nurture character, resilience, and compassion alongside intellectual development. Among the key speakers, Prof. (Dr.) Jayanti Das of the University of Calcutta called for a shift from rote learning to holistic education.
Prof. (Dr.) Ushri Banerjee, Department of Applied Psychology, University of Calcutta, highlighted rising mental health concerns and stressed the need for integrating emotional well-being into education. Prof. (Dr.) Laxman Gnawali, Kathmandu University, Nepal, emphasised collaborative and relational learning approaches, while Prof. (Dr.) Amulya Kumar Acharya of Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, focused on stress management and its role in sustainable human development. The seminar also featured paper presentations and discussions on inclusive education, digital pedagogy, and sustainability, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches.
A defining strength of the seminar was its thoughtful conceptualisation by Convenor Dr. Indrani Nath, whose academic vision and leadership played a pivotal role in shaping its theme and direction. The seminar was efficiently coordinated within a limited timeframe by the IQAC Coordinator and Organising Secretary, Dr. Pintu Kumar Maji, reflecting strong leadership, efficiency, and institutional commitment. Organisational support from Dr. Sanjib Kumar Gupta (TCS) and Dr. Prabir Ghosh (Joint Convenor) ensured smooth execution. Faculty members, particularly from the Department of Education, along with senior professors including Dr. Sanjib Mitra, Dr. Piyali Dasgupta, Dr. Sarottoma Majumder, and Dr. Goutam Chakraborty, contributed significantly to its success. In conclusion, the seminar highlighted the urgent necessity of reimagining education as a holistic and transformative process.
It underscored that the future of education lies not merely in technological advancement, but in its capacity to nurture well-being, resilience, and ethical consciousness. In an increasingly uncertain and demanding world, such initiatives play a vital role in shaping education as a force for both individual empowerment and collective social progress.