Srinagar, October 19: The Department of Psychology, University of Kashmir (KU), in collaboration with the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, began a week-long international workshop on ‘Digital Wellbeing and Inclusion for Neurodiversity’ at the Main Campus.
The workshop, as per a statement, is being organised under the European Commission-sponsored project Digital Transformation for Neurodiversity Inclusion in Africa and Asia (AAN-DI). It aims to strengthen international research collaboration and explore how digital technologies can improve wellbeing and promote social and educational inclusion for neurodivergent individuals across Asia and Africa.
The programme brings together researchers, experts and participants from Kenya, Finland, Ethiopia and India, along with project consortium partners, the Department of School Education, J&K, and IMHANS J&K.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan highlighted the importance of inclusive education, mental health awareness and the responsible use of technology in addressing the needs of neurodivergent individuals. She said, “universities have an important role in promoting research and collaboration to make digital spaces more accessible and supportive.”
She added that the University is exploring opportunities to establish further collaborations with national and international organisations, to strengthen research in neurodiversity and related areas. Such partnerships, she said, would provide KU researchers and academicians with greater opportunities for academic exchange, exposure to global research practices and the utilisation of their expertise to address emerging challenges and develop inclusive solutions.
Prof. Hazel Miseda, Vice-Chancellor, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, emphasised the role of universities in promoting digital wellbeing and neurodiversity through inclusive education, research and institutional collaboration.
Dean, School of Education & Behavioural Sciences, KU, Prof. Touseef Rizvi, spoke about the importance of creating supportive environments in educational institutions and society.
Prof. Aziz-ud-din, IIT Bombay, also shared his views on the subject and noted the role of research, technological innovation and collaboration in developing inclusive approaches to neurodiversity.
Prof. Showkat Ahmad Shah, Project Principal Investigator, KU, and organising secretary of the workshop, provided an overview of the programme and its objectives. Prof. Susannah Otieno Leppänen, Principal Investigator, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, presented an overview of the AAN-DI project.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Head, Department of Psychology, KU, Prof. Humera Shafi, highlighted the importance of the workshop in advancing research and awareness around neurodiversity.
The week-long workshop will feature technical sessions on various areas such as baseline survey tools for the assessment of neurodiversity, the biological understanding of neurodiversity, and the use of artificial intelligence for detecting neurodevelopmental issues. It will also include a sensitisation programme for teachers from the Department of School Education J&K, blended mobility research presentations by participants from Kenya, Finland, Ethiopia and India and a visit to IMHANS J&K.
The event proceedings were conducted by Dr. Asma Nabi, faculty, Department of Psychology KU, who also proposed the vote of thanks.
