Chandigarh
21 August 2017
DIVYA AZAD
It is a matter of pride for Post Graduate Govt. College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh that Dr. Seepana Prakasam, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics of the college, deputed to work as Chair Professor in Indian Studies at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, joined the college after the successful completion of his assignment. It is noteworthy that Honourable Prime minister Shri. Narendra Modi during his state visit to Kenya in July 2016 formally sanctioned the post of Chair Professor to the University of Nairobi under the purview of High Commission of India to enhance bilateral relations between India and Kenya. Dr. Seepana Prakasam was selected to work as first Chair Professor for two semesters (8 months) under the aegis of Indian Council of Cultural Relations New Delhi (Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India). He was awarded the Chair Professorship due to his keen involvement in research and publications in national and international journals. He has already completed his post-doctoral research from Panjab University, Chandigarh on the topic of ‘Implementation and impact of anti-poverty programmes -Public Distribution System, Mid-day Meal Scheme and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna in Chandigarh’. Henceforth he has done research on female domestic workers, street vendors and social security for informal workers in Chandigarh.
During his assignment, on the request of the university he prepared high quality e-content in two subjects; International Economics and Macro Economics which will be useful to this college’s students also. Along with teaching of Economics, he supervised research projects, dissertations on different economic problems in Kenya and mentored young scholars of Economics in the School of Economics in the University of Nairobi. He delivered a public lecture on ‘Poverty reduction measures in India- lessons to Kenya’, wherein he enlisted and elaborated all the successful anti-poverty programmes being implemented by the Govt. of India. He opined that some of the programmes can be implemented on trial basis in Kenya for faster reduction of poverty.
His dedication and commitment became visible when appreciating his work performance in research guidance and teaching, the University administration and High Commission of India at Nairobi, requested the Govt. of India to extend his tenure for three months (up to July 31st), which was accepted by the Govt. of India and UT Administration, Chandigarh. Narrating his experience of service in Kenya, he stated that University of Nairobi is a congenial work place and he learned research inputs from the colleagues. Prof. Anita Kaushal, Principal of the college congratulated Dr. Prakasam and expressed that his potential and academic exposure would certainly be of great assistance to the students.
