E-Paper
AU, IIT-K join hands, to begin new courses
TAKING A landmark step in the field of inter-disciplinary studies, the University of Allahabad and the Indian Institute of Kanpur (IIT-K) have decided to begin joint certificate and diploma courses in the field of archaeological science and application of technology.
TAKING A landmark step in the field of inter-disciplinary studies, the University of Allahabad and the Indian Institute of Kanpur (IIT-K) have decided to begin joint certificate and diploma courses in the field of archaeological science and application of technology.
The ambitious courses will have specialisation options in study of archaeology, preservation and conservation of archaeological monuments and cultural resource management at AU.
These courses, subject to the approval of Academic Council of both institutions, will be run by the Institute of Professional Studies of Allahabad University (AU) and IIT-K jointly.
"It is a unique effort to provide the training and expertise to archaeologists, researchers and students wanting to pursue their career in the field of archaeology. The courses not only aim at developing competent archaeological manpower but also envision the development and promotion of technology in the traditional excavation methods," said director of the AU Institute of Professional Studies Prof GK Rai.
He said that AU would design the curricula and syllabi of the courses in consultation with IIT-K experts.
"We are trying to incorporate the finest available expertise, technology and knowledge required in the proposed courses. For this, efforts have already begun in the form a dialogue between scientists, engineers, historians and archaeologists," said Prof GK Rai It is pertinent to mention that a national-level brain-storming session was held at AU in March, 2005 in this regard. An Indo-US Science Forum Conference was also held in which the director of the Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford delivered a lecture on excavation and modern technologies at AU.
Prof Rai said that these meetings and conferences facilitated AU to draw and deduce the best available essence of knowledge resource in the form of lectures and views of eminent researchers, archaeologists and historians. It would be compiled and imbibed in the curricula of the proposed courses, he added .
It is worth mentioning that Archaeological Survey of India has approached Allahabad University and IIT-Kanpur to train its personnel in the fields of geo-informatics, archaeo-materials, computer applications in archaeology with a view of capacity building of its officials and archaeologists across the country.
