The zonal conference of the North Zone Jesuit Higher Educational Association of South Asia (JHEASA) was held at the St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) on October 7 and 8, 2023. Both, the university and St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata jointly organised the two-day zonal conference.

The theme of the conference was ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Higher Education, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its Challenges and Opportunities’. Around 35 participants, Jesuit Principals from different higher educational institutions and their collaborators attended the conference.

Dr. Partha Pratim Chakraborty, a noted academician of IIT, Kharagpur delivered the keynote address on AI and its relevance in Higher Education Institutions. Rev. Dr. Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor of SXUK spoke on the NEP and its challenges and opportunities.

Father Raj said, “The change is necessary and crucial since it is keeping with emerging trends in global education. It encourages a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to learning.” He further said, “NEP 2020 emphasizes on practical learning outcomes and skill development of the learners which are in high need in a changing global scenario.”

There were sessions on the steps and techniques of hands-on training in AI. Fr. Joe Arun of LIBA, Chennai, and Secretary of JHEASA and Fr. Dominic Savio, principal of SXCK and the North Zone Coordinator were present. Fr. Arun shared about the global perspective of Jesuit education and the importance of India’s participation at the global level. Participants found the sessions highly impressive and fruitful.

Somak Sen