Research methodology module to develop indigenous perspectives

Pondicherry University has launched a 10-day research methodology course to promote indigenous perspectives to scholarship.

The course has been designed by the Centre for Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI), School of Social Sciences and International Studies in collaboration with the Institute for Educational and Development Studies (IEDS) under the Indian Council of Social Science Research, Delhi.

Inaugurating the event, Dhananjay Singh, Member Secretary, ICSSR, underscored the role of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research in addressing social issues and promoting community development. He also spoke about the importance of methodological rigor, social realism, and “Nyaya philosophy” in research.

In his presidential address, P. Prakash Babu, Vice Chancellor of Pondicherry University, emphasised the relevance of the Indian knowledge systems in contemporary research.

The Vice-Chancellor also underscored the continued significance of offline (field-based) research, especially in social science disciplines, and its role in building contextually grounded knowledge.

Sudhakar Venukapalli, Honorary Professor, IEDS, highlighted the significance of critical and original academic research, highlighting the need to decolonise intellectual frameworks and rediscover the roots of the Indian knowledge system.

K. Tharanikkarasu, Director of Studies, Education, Innovation & Rural Reconstruction, Pondicherry University, in a special address, discussed the differences between Western and Indian approaches to research.

Biju K. C., from Christ University, Bengaluru, urged aspiring scholars to pursue meaningful and reflective research.

A. Chidambaram, Centre Head of CSSI, Pondicherry University, G. Prabakaran, Course Director and Anchal Kumari, Assistant Professor, CSSI.