S.I.W.S. Colleges Host International Conference on Eco-Wisdom at Sion East

Experts, researchers, and academicians gathered at Gokul Hall in Sion East, Mumbai, for a two-day international conference focused on integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern science to tackle contemporary environmental challenges. The event, titled ‘Eco-Wisdom: Traditional Knowledge for Ecological Sustainability’, was held on August 21 and 22.

The conference marked the fourth consecutive international conference hosted by the Wadala-based S.I.W.S. N. R. Swamy College of Commerce and Economics and Smt. Thirumalai College of Science.

The inaugural session was attended by S.I.W.S. Chairman R. Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chairman V. Rangaraj, and Principal Manali Londhe. Delivering the keynote address, Dr Shankar Abhyankar, president of Aditya Pratishthan, Pune, stressed the need to revive and preserve indigenous ecological practices.

The first day featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, and technical presentations, with 19 faculty members and student researchers presenting their work. Discussions centered on reviving indigenous knowledge systems and integrating long-term scientific, economic, and management principles with contemporary sustainability approaches.

A dedicated session on indigenous knowledge systems featured Dr Petros Golitsis, Associate Professor of Economics and Econometrics at the University of York Europe Campus in Greece; Dr Anand Datar from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; author and educator Gaurangdarshan Das; and Prof Shubhada Joshi from the University of Mumbai.

A subsequent panel on integrating holistic principles with modern approaches included Dr Leslie Szamosi, Dean of the School of Business at the University of York Europe Campus; Dr Archil Magalashvili, Professor of Geology at Ilia State University in Tbilisi, Georgia; and Dr Abhishek Satam, PRO at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo in Mumbai.

The second day examined practical opportunities arising from combining traditional practices with modern technology. Aurovinda Ganguly, Project Manager at L&T Construction, and Dr Sanjay Oak, former Dean of Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, spoke on sustainable construction and traditional medical wisdom.

Fourteen research presentations during the event covered themes including indigenous eco-entrepreneurship, sustainable clothing, traditional food and health, water management, solar energy, and ecological conservation.

At the valedictory session, Additional Director General of Police, Force One, Krishna Prakash, urged participants to translate academic research into actionable environmental practices.