EDUCATING THE HEART
Friday, 30 June And Saturday, 1 July 2023 Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli
Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence hosted the Global Education Conference from June 30, 2023 to July 1, 2023. The conference consisted of five technical sessions over two days, with educationists from around the world addressing the gathering. Here are the key takeaways from the conference.
Day 1:
The Global Education Conference - Educating the Heart commenced at Sathya Sai Grama, hosting renowned personalities and education experts. The goal was to shape an education system that nurtures future generations to learn, live, and serve with compassion. Sri Madhusudan Sai emphasized the importance of global education that transcends boundaries and embraces the inherent goodness in everyone. The Education Conference began with blessings from Sadhguru Sri Madhusudhan Sai, who emphasized the implementation of values-based education for holistic student development.
Session 1: Student-Centric Planning in the K-12 years
Mr. Gavin McCormack discussed sparking the joy of learning in students through a three-tier approach involving parents, teachers, and students.
Mr. Bimlesh Kumar shared insights on helping children reach their potential in physical, mental, and spiritual aspects.
Prof. Saroj Sharma explained the importance of instilling values in children's lives, using stories from Upanishads and the life of Swami Vivekananda.
Prof. J.S. Rajput highlighted the role of teachers in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) in India, which aims to raise educational standards.
Mr. Raj Nehru emphasized the need to introduce vocational training opportunities at the school level to explore different fields in India.
Session 2: Integrating values-based learning into the mainstream K-12 education system
Dr. Neil Hawkes emphasized the role of teachers as role models for successful values-based education.
Dr. Shilpa Pandit explored the concept of being human at the physical, mental, and consciousness levels.
Ms. Megha Ahuja shared her experiences and ideas to promote playful learning for every student.
Mrs. Sangita Naidu emphasized love in teaching and presented the acronym TEACHER: Transformation, Exemplary, Awareness, Culture, Head, Heart and Hands, Environment, and Role of religion.
Dr. Sarina Molina discussed empathy and stressed the importance of holistic education in preserving a child's goodness.
The first day concluded with a mesmerizing performance by the Sai Symphony Orchestra, featuring diverse musical genres.
Day 2:
On the concluding day of the Global Education Conference 2023 - Educating the Heart, insightful discussions took place on the significance of values-based education in achieving UNESCO's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The sessions highlighted the importance of instilling values in education for creating a more sustainable and equitable world. Additionally, a session focused on humanizing healthcare and promoting compassion within the profession. The discussions emphasized the vital role of empathy and compassion in providing quality healthcare services and ensuring patient well-being. The Global Education Conference concluded with the Valedictory Ceremony, where Swami Atmapriyananda, the Guest of Honour, quoted Swami Vivekananda, stating that education is the solution to all evils and values-based education is the way forward. The event also marked the release of a new book series on value-based education, titled "Be Good, See Good, Do Good," which aims to equip children with a proper understanding of human values for easy integration into their daily lives. In his Valedictory message, Sri Madhusudan Sai emphasized the need for the world to come together and establish a universal values-based pedagogy with love at its core. The sessions focused on values in higher education, with three sessions held.
Session 3: Human Values in Higher Education as a Pathway to Nurturing Better Citizens of the World
The chair, BN Narasimha Murthy, outlined three universally accepted educational goals: academic excellence, individual character, and social responsibility.
Panelist Swami Sarvottammananda highlighted how spiritual education contributes to all-round personality development.
Panellist Pr. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razzak shared practical steps followed at IIUM University to promote social responsibility among students in connection with the UN's 17 sustainable development goals.
Dr. Craig Shealy discussed value-based education as a path to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Pr. Terence Lovat presented a large-scale study on the impact of values-based education, emphasizing the need for a universal and structured values curriculum.
Mrs. Rekha Ramachandran discussed the dimensions of holistic education and the role of ancient Indian Gurukulam in promoting values.
Session 4: Valued-Based Medical Education: Bringing Compassion to the Healthcare System
Chaired by Dr. Sujatha Rathod, this session explored the role of values-based medical education in cultivating compassion in the healthcare system.
Dr. B.N. Gangadhar discussed developing service-mindedness in medical education, emphasizing seeing patients as God for better self-esteem in doctors.
Dr. Anita Saxena urged medical professionals to embrace compassion and empathy in their practice.
Dr. M. Srinivas highlighted the importance of competence without compromising compassion in medical education.
Dr. Ignacio Lugones stressed the imperative for doctors to show compassion and treat patients as family members.
Session 5: Addressing Mental Health in Students
Mrs. Dilshad Khurana discussed the importance of conversations between students and teachers in promoting good mental health.
Prof. Navin Kumar advocated for a multi-system approach to nurture happy children and young people.
Dr. Shruti Niraj emphasized the role of compassionate teachers in students' lives.
Mr. Nikhil Singha highlighted the crucial role of the teacher-student relationship in students' well-being.
Dr. Jane Hawkes discussed the benefits of values-based interventions in the curriculum for a happy classroom.
Dr. Georgina Brunton emphasized the importance of inculcating values in students' lives for their mental well-being.
September 12th, 2023
