Face2News/Chandigarh  

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), North-Western Regional Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh, inaugurated its two-week Training Programme-cum-Capacity Building Programme on Research Methodology in Social Sciences for research scholars and faculty members today. The programme, scheduled from December 10 to 23, has seen participation from multiple disciplines across the region. 

The inaugural session began with a welcome address by Prof. Upasna Joshi Sethi, Director, ICSSR-NWRC. Highlighting the importance of research training for scholars and faculty, she noted that the programme aims to strengthen conceptual grounding in research methodology, quantitative techniques, data analysis and interpretation. 

Padma Shri Prof. Harmohan Singh Bedi, the chief guest, delivered a keynote address underscoring the role of social sciences, indigenous knowledge systems and linguistic heritage in national development. He encouraged scholars to engage with Indian sources of knowledge, research traditions, mother tongue-based learning and the human dimensions of development. 

Guest of Honour Prof. Sushil Kumar Tomar reflected on the purpose of education and research, stating that academic inquiry must lead to social contribution. 

Keynote speaker, Dr. Subhash Sharma shared insights from personal experience and Indian philosophical literature. Referencing texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Katha Upanishad, he emphasized on continuous questioning, evidence-based inquiry and intellectual curiosity form the foundation of meaningful research capable of driving social reform. 

The programme will further include lectures, workshops, discussions and hands-on sessions designed to build research competence and analytical capacity among participants