KINS Desk
Srinagar Nov 4 (KINS): The MA Anthropology course was launched at the Institute of Kashmir Studies, University of Kashmir on Wednesday. The course is among the new programs introduced at the University of Kashmir in 2020. Anthropology, as the holistic study of social and cultural systems, is a premier social science discipline, and is concerned with in-depth and interdisciplinary approaches for understanding human society.
Speaking at the occasion, Prof. M. Y. Ganai, the director of Institute of Kashmir Studies, thanked Prof. Talat Ahmed, the Vice Chancellor of University of Kashmir, for his continuous support and encouragement towards the start of the new PG Program. Speaking about the importance of the course, Prof. Ganai said, “Anthropology extends our vision beyond familiar social contexts and experiences. Anthropology is essentially a comparative study of humans, their societies and their cultural worlds. Our students will develop a critical awareness of changing social values and practices, in line with the directives of the new education policy”. He also stated that the course will enable the students to prepare for various career options, especially civil services, academia as well as the private sector jobs.
Prof. Gulshan Majeed, the guest of honour stated that anthropology is connected to all disciplines and that the start of the program at the university “is a great beginning”. Prof. Noor A. Baba delivered the keynote address, and stated “Anthropology is multi-disciplinary, and deals with all branches of knowledge and stages of human development”.
Prof. Bashir A. Khan, the Dean Social Sciences at Kashmir University, was the Chief Guest at the inauguration. Prof. Khan said that Anthropology is concerned with the study of “who we were and what we are”. He also expressed the hope that the students of Anthropology will study in detail the pressing social and cultural concerns. Dr. Humaira Showkat delivered the vote of thanks.
The inauguration was accompanied by an interaction of faculty members at the Institute of Kashmir studies with the newly admitted students of Anthropology. (KINS)
