The forty-fourth Niaz Ahmed Memorial Debate was held on 4 Feb 2023 at the Department of English, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur on the topic- Foreign Universities will Enhance the Quality of Higher Education in India.
The function made a stimulating start with Prof Pradeep Trikha, Head, Department of English welcoming the participants and outlining the history of Niaz Ahmed Memorial debate and its legacy in the department since 1979. Prof. CR Suthar, Dean, UCSS&H Mohanlal Sukhadia University who was the Chairperson, made a thought provoking and engaging remarks during the Inaugural highlighted the role of people in the contemporary Indian scenario; how the foreign universities will be effecting cultural and political atmosphere in present times in so many different ways.
In all there were about forty participants from different institutions of the state of Rajasthan such as B.N. University, Udaipur, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Faculty of Management Studies, MLS University, BN Girls’ College, Udaipur and several other institutions. The first prize was bagged by Mr. Nirlipt Singh, College of Commerce, BN University,the second prize by Ms Sana from RNT Medical College and the third prize by Ms Avadhi Chittora from Gurunanak Girls’ College.
the running trophy was bagged by the BN University team. Chief Guest, Prof. Sharad Srivastava, formerly Dean of the University College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Head, Department of English, while acknowledging the facts outlined by Prof. CR Suthar, pointed out that there was a greater challenge before the younger generation to look into the political designs of the media, he talked about ‘contemporary’ relevance of the topic and also commented on as why Indians are fascinated by ‘Foreign’ and at times devaluing Indian scholarship and academia.
The judges of the debate were Dr Shilpa Seth, Faculty of Law, Dr Shilpa Verdia, Faculty of Commerce, Dr Kavita Parulkar, Department of English, Govt Girls College, Nathadwara.
The Inaugural issue of a Newsletter of the Department of English, ‘Literary Forum’ was released on the occasion. It showcases the activities of the students and the members of the department. The debate program was convened by Dr. Snehlata Tailor, Dr. Kopal Vats and Dr. Minakshi Jain proposed the vote of thanks.