A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Bhopal, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, with the aim of integrating Indian knowledge traditions with technical and vocational education.
Aligned with the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, this initiative marks a significant step towards effectively linking India’s heritage of knowledge, art, culture, science, and technology with the contemporary education system.
Starting from the current academic session, NITTTR Bhopal has launched specific Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Ph.D. programs in the field of Indian Knowledge Traditions. This proposed collaboration will provide expert guidance and institutional support for the development of these courses, teaching-learning methodologies, educational materials, and research activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Chandra Charu Tripathi, Director of NITTTR Bhopal, stated that the Indian knowledge tradition is not merely a glorious heritage but a rich and vibrant tradition of knowledge, science, technology, and innovation. Both institutions will also encourage joint research and publications on subjects related to Indian history, science, mathematics, technology, art, architecture, and traditional technical knowledge. By mutual agreement, the expertise derived from IGNCA’s rich archival and cultural resources will be utilized to develop digital study materials, e-books, and audiovisual resources based on Indian knowledge traditions.
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, noted that the Centre is a premier national institution dedicated to the conservation, documentation, research, publication, and dissemination of Indian art, culture, traditions, and heritage. The Centre’s multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach can play a pivotal role in integrating various dimensions of Indian knowledge traditions—such as literature, architecture, art, crafts, music, dance, theatre, folk traditions, lifestyles, and archival/audiovisual resources—into academic study. On this occasion, a visit was made to the IGNCA’s Heritage Conservation Laboratory and the Publications Department.
Dr. P.K. Purohit, Head of the Indian Knowledge Tradition Department, stated that this collaboration—centered on the theme of “Innovation from Heritage”—would impart fresh momentum to the preservation, study, research, and contemporary application of India’s knowledge heritage. This partnership will not only connect students and teachers with India’s rich knowledge heritage but also provide them with an opportunity to understand its scientific, technical, philosophical, and practical dimensions within the context of modern education. Dr. Ramendra Singh, Dr. Sudhir Lal, and other officials and staff members were present on the occasion.
