CHIEF GUEST Professor & Head, Department of Philosophy University of Delhi ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 “Learning gives creativity, creativity leads to thinking, thinking provides knowledge and knowledge makes you great.” My dear colleagues and students, I extend a warm welcome to everyone on this prestigious occasion of the 54th Annual Day of Maitreyi College. We are pleased to have with us today as our Chief Guest, Prof. Balaganapathi Devarakonda, Chairperson, Governing Body who joins us in our celebration. Prof. Balaganapathi Devarakonda is presently Professor & Head, Department of Philosophy in the University of Delhi. He has many publications in the areas of Political Philosophy and Contemporary Understanding of Indian Philosophy. A few of his acclaimed publications include Hobbesian Philosophy Still Sways (2011), Globalisation, Multiculturalism and the International Order (edited), Proceedings of the 8th International Congress of Social Philosophy (2009) and Social and Political Philosophers of Modern Andhra (2006). Prof. Devarakonda also holds positions of relevance in multiple organizations and constituted bodies associated with academics and research. He is the Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Applied Ethics and has contributions to various other national and international journals and publications. He is a Member of the Committee constituted by UGC in 2018, New Delhi for drafting ‘Learning Outcomes based Curriculum Framework’ (LOCF) for Philosophy, Member (Chancellor’s nominee) in Board of Management, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Member in Research Project Committee of Indian Council of Philosophical Research, New Delhi, Governing Body Member (Nominee of University of Delhi), Bhagini Nivedita College and Chief Advisor for Centre for Ethics and Values, Ramanujan College, University of Delhi Maitreyi College, an integral part of Delhi University’s federal structure, came into existence in the year 1967 to impart higher education to women. It is no coincidence that the college bears the name of ‘Maitreyi’, an eminent scholar and sage of the Vedic period who symbolized an exemplary balance between tradition and modernity. It has been our endeavour to translate these ideals into our education system and represent the best of both the worlds - material and spiritual. In this college, we not only lay emphasis on the dissemination of knowledge but also on the cultivation of personality. We have established a continuous and rounded tradition of achievements in academics, sports, social and cultural activities that have become integrated to the very identity of our college. Maitreyi College, like preceding years, retained excellence in academics, this year too. A total of 1099 students appeared in the final year Examination and 641 students obtained I Division, 315 students obtained II Division and 54 students obtained III Division. The overall pass percentage was 91.9%. Nearly all Science Departments achieved 100% pass percentage in their final year. Our faculty members continued to earn laurels for the college through their multi-faceted achievements in teaching, academics and other activities: ✦ Dr. Prachi Bagla from Commerce Department received the Best Teacher Award from the Government of NCT of Delhi. ✦ Dr. Mala Kapur Shankardass from Sociology Department received the International Rosalie S. Wolf Memorial Award in Elder Abuse from International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse, as recognition and honour for her contribution on rights of older people. ✦ Dr. Pardeep Rai, Librarian, Maitreyi College, received ASIALA Innovative Librarian Award 2020 from Asian Library Association, for his innovative library services. ✦ Dr. Renu Gupta from Zoology Department received International Innovative Researcher of the Year in Ciliate Biology award from Research Under Literal Access Awards in 2019, for her innovative research. ✦ Dr. Pramod Kumar Singh from Sanskrit Department received Excellence Award for in Service Teachers (45 Years or Below) from University of Delhi for his outstanding service and contribution to academic activities. Maitreyi College 1 ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Dr. Pramod Kumar Singh was also awarded Prof. S.N Dubey Gold Medal for securing highest marks in M.A. (Philosophy) from UPRTOU, Allahabad. ✦ Dr. Geeta Pandey from Hindi Department received Aacharya Chanakya Shikshavid Samman 2019 for her outstanding service as an educator from Fun 2 Learn Institute. ✦ Dr. Mamta Dhawan from Hindi Department was awarded Tilka Manjhi National Award for excellence in writing and social work from Ang Madad Foundation. Besides this, our faculty members authored 09 books, contributed 11 chapters in edited collections, wrote 38 popular articles and published 51 research papers. To promote advanced research in academics, our college also organized: ✦ 2 National level conferences ✦ 2 Symposia ✦ 2 Seminars ✦ 8 Workshops ✦ 1 Faculty Development Program. To enrich the pool of the knowledge, the College invited 61 dignitaries and experts from various fields to enlighten faculty and students with their views and interact to further enhance the institution’s cultural, social and educational values. A one day National Conference on “Biotechnology in present Era: Impact on Human Life and Environment” was organized on 23rd August, 2019 in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India (under the CTEP program of DBT). The inaugural session was attended by a galaxy of eminent personalities. The Vice Chairman of UGC, Prof. Bhushan Patwardhan was the Chief Guest. Prof. Patwardhan applauded the experience at Maitreyi college stating, “Maitreyi is a model college with vibrant faculty, creative and imaginative students and collaborative education.” Botany Department organized an Interdisciplinary National Conference on “Intellectual Property Rights: Prospects and Challenges” on 22-23 October, 2019 with a vision to highlight the potentials of intellectual property rights to both faculty as well as students. Prof. Rekha Chaturvedi, Patent Consultant and Registered Patent Agent (formerly IPR Chair Professor, Delhi University) and Dr Meenakshi Munshi, Advisor, Scientist ‘G’, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India were the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively, for the event. A total of 125 delegates across different colleges and universities of India participated in this event. Internal Quality Assuarance Cell (IQAC), Maitreyi College, organized a NAAC sponsored two-day National Seminar on November 5-6, 2019 to provide a platform for discussion on identification, sustenance, promotion and institutionalization of best practices that are integral to improving the academic and administrative performance of the institution. Several eminent speakers and experts addressed the participants discussing the practices that aim to facilitate the creation of a learner-centric environment which are a must for quality education and faculty evolvement. In the key note address Prof. V.S Chauhan, Chairman, NAAC, spoke at length about the necessary reforms required in the contemporary education system to inculcate the spirit of enquiry in students and role of teachers in mentoring students to think and innovate. The seminar also included two highly interactive panel discussions. The students enthusiastically talked about the Summer Internship research projects and the skills and expertise they acquired conducting the research work. They also talked about innovative practices adopted by them and the events they organized to serve the community and address important issues like gender equity, and environmental consciousness. Maitreyi College 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 The expertise of Maitreyi faculty is recognized at various National and International platforms. Eighteen faculty members have delivered invited talks in 42 events and sixty faculty members have presented their research papers in 62 Conferences. Since its inception in the year 2018 under the aegis of Maitreyi Research and Incubation Centre, giant strides have been taken by the ‘Centre for Research’ at Maitreyi college, to achieve its objective of promoting a research friendly environment in the college and to provide opportunities to students and faculty to delve into research questions and perspectives. Under the Summer Internship Program 49 Faculty members and 95 students were involved in 23 research Projects (16 from sciences and 7 from, social sciences and humanities). One of the summer internship project carried out in the last academic year (2017-2018) was also published in a peer reviewed international journal, setting an excellent precedence. A new venture, ‘Annual Research Projects’ was initiated from January, 2020 by the Centre for Research keeping in mind the enthusiasm and zeal shown by faculty and students alike for pursuing research activities throughout the year. The theme of annual projects is “Personal, Environmental and Social Health” and 13 projects are being funded, 4 of which are interdisciplinary in nature. Maitreyi College also collaborates with THSTI (Translational Health and Scientific Technology Institute) since the last few years under the Science Setu Program. Every year the college sends 4 to 6 students for an internship. The students stay there and learn multiple, different techniques related to their area of interest. This year (2019- 2020) the college had sent 5 third year students from Life Sciences and 1 student from B.A.(H) Math for special training. With a vision to use technology to bridge the gap between disciplines,