UNAI Global Conference concludes at Chandigarh University with the message to Universities & Institutions to take-up Social Oriented Research and Innovation
“It is important to engage with new generation to find solutions to the global problems and this exercise will bring sustainable development for future” said Federico Sales Lotfe, Ambassador of Mexico. The ambassador was speaking during the inaugural session of United Nations Academic Impact Global Conference on “Opportunities and Strategies for Collaborative Higher Education Impact in Emerging Economies” being held at the campus of Chandigarh University, Gharuan. Ambassadors of 7 countries, academicians, research scholars and students from all over the world took part in the two day global conference which is being organized to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of United National Academic Impact (UNAI).
Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari, Chairman, Punjab Human Rights Commission and former Chief Justice, Patna High Court, Austin Fernando, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, George Mkondiwa, High Commissioner, Malawi, High Commissioner of Ghana, Michael A.N.N. Oquuaye Esq, Dr. Rajesh Tandon, Founder President PRIA and UNESCO Chair on Community Based Research, Ashok Sajjanhar, former Indian Ambassador to Sweden, Latvia, Kazakhsstan, Anup K. Mudgal, former Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius, Prof. John Lee, President, Kinyondo University, Korea, Ashok K. Pavadia, former Additional Secretary Home, Government of India, Dr. Wolfgang C. Amann, Director, HEC Paris and Satnam Singh Sandhu were the other dignitaries who were present on the occasion.
Federico Sales Lotfe, Ambassador of Mexico further said, “Institutions and Universities can help United Nations to achieve its 13 sustainable development goals which includes Protection of Environment, utilizing new era technology for the betterment of weaker section of society and sharing moral values with the young generation so that they contribute in building a better world. Speaking on the occasion, Austin Fernando, Ambassador of Sri Lanka said, “UNAI can help the world in achieving the goals of gender equality, imparting quality education to every child in every nation, propagating peace & justice and ending poverty”. George Mkondiwa, High Commissioner, Malawi said, “Today’s youth consists of tomorrow’s researchers, global leaders, policy makers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs who can work in their respective domain to achieve the goals of United Nations”.
While addressing the students, Ashok Sajjanhar, former Indian Ambassador said, “The role of United Nations is significant as it has brought peace & stability in the world and there has been no World War ever since the establishment of UN, 74 years ago”. He further added that, “It is very sad that United Nations which propagates for democracy in all nations unfortunately do not have democracy in its aligned branch known as United Nations Security Council (UNSC) which still has decade’s old structure comprising of five permanent members”.
“The aim of modern day education is to train & sensitize the students towards the socio-economic challenges that the world is facing and further the students should contribute by finding the solutions of the global problems using their learning experience irrespective of their field” said, Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari, Chairman, Punjab Human Rights Commission and former Chief Justice, Patna High Court. High Commissioner of Ghana, Michael A.N.N. OquuayeEsq. said, “The wrong decisions like pollution of air & water taken by adults today is endangering the future of our children, so the young generation through academic learning have to make understand the challenges that they will be facing in future.
Addressing the plenary session during the conference, Anup K. Mudgal, former Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius said, “UNAI Global Conference has set an agenda for the Universities and Institutions around the world to indulge in social research and innovation so that we are able to protect our planet”. Mohammad Halem Khan (IAS), former secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, said, “World has already become a global village where one nation is interdependent on the policies of others like if the oil producing countries announces a cut in oil production, then there will be a sudden hike in petrol & diesel prices in India which will affect our economy”.
Renowned new anchor and former media advisor to Prime Minister, Pankaj Pachauri said, “India has the largest number of internet users &facebook accounts, so we should use this youth power to highlight the problems of one part of the country with the people of the world”. More than 200 research papers were presented by the academicians and students across the world during the two day conference. Paper presented by Prof. Wolfgang C. Amann, Director, HEC Paris in Qatar, Doha on the topic of “Contribution of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) to solve the Socio-Economic Problems of the World” was given a special honor by the UNAI.
