Gandhi's Institute Lecture

Apr 06, 2011 - 17:15

Apr 06, 2011 - 18:15

Victor Menezes Convention Centre (VMCC)

Seminars

Prof. K S Gandhi IISc Bangalore

It is often said that contradictions and conflicts bring profound changes in history. It is also true that peace and tranquility usher great progress in the arts and sciences. One might conclude that consensual and just resolution of conflicts is the necessary condition for a society to significantly improve its condition. Consensus can only be possible on the basis of shared and enduring values. These ideas are of general applicability and in particular to educational institutions as well. In the mature phase of his career Professor Kartic Khilar strived towards institution building. In this lecture I raise issues of relevance to this interest of his. I identify a few points of conflict IITs encounter. One is with the Government of India which is a legitimate stakeholder but whose policies do create a conflict of quality versus quantity. Then there are contradictions between statutory and idealized goals and reality conditioned and imposed by the embedding society. IIT has become a brand name and public expectations of the product can and do interfere with educational objectives. It would be unwise to think that extrication from conflicts can be assured but I do hope and hope lies in seeing possibilities to overcome fears created by these conflicts.About the Speaker: Professor K.S. Gandhi received his Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Andhra University in 1962 his Master's degree from the Ohio State University in 1965 and his doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley in 1971. He taught chemical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur during 1971-86 and at the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore during 1986-2005. His industrial experience includes work at J.K. Paper Mills Rayagada and at Pilkington Brothers Research Centre in U.K.