HANAMKONDA, MARCH 04, 2026: Professor G. Srinivas, Principal of Kakatiya Government College (Autonomous), Hanamkonda, informed that the Faculty Forum of the college is organising a Two-Day National Seminar on “Academic Freedom, Institutional Autonomy, and Democratic Resilience: Rethinking Higher Education in the Age of NEP 2020” on 6th and 7th March 2026.
The seminar will bring together eminent scholars, educationists, and representatives of teachers’ organisations to deliberate on the contemporary challenges facing higher education in India.
The inaugural session will be attended by Prof. V. Balakista Reddy, Chairman, Telangana State Council of Higher Education, as the Chief Guest. The Keynote Address will be delivered by Prof. G. Haragopal, General Secretary, Telangana Save Education Committee.
Several distinguished scholars will deliver invited talks during the seminar, including:
- Prof. K. Srinivasulu, Retired Professor of Political Science, Osmania University
- Prof. Arun Kumar, General Secretary, All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO)
- Prof. Harjinder Singh, Professor Emeritus, International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad, Ph.D. (Princeton University)
- Prof. Burra Ramesh, Professor of Education, Regional Institute of Education, Mysore
In addition, Prof. P. Balabhaskar, Joint Director, Commissionerate of Collegiate Education, Telangana, and Prof. K. Lakshminarayana, Former Professor, University of Hyderabad, will also participate in the seminar.
A Panel Discussion on “Teachers’ Organisations, Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy: Challenges, Responsibilities and Collective Action” will be organised on the second day of the seminar, bringing together leaders of teachers’ organisations and policy experts to discuss the evolving role of academic communities in safeguarding institutional autonomy.
Adama Srinivas Reddy, Convener of the Faculty Forum and Seminar Convener, stated that the seminar will deliberate on issues relating to academic freedom under six thematic areas. More than sixty research papers have been registered for presentation by scholars from different parts of the country.
He further informed that the seminar will culminate in the release of a “Declaration on Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy”, which will be prepared after deliberations on a draft document and presented as a policy brief for wider academic and public discussion.
Musham Ravinder, Co-Convener of the seminar, expressed confidence that the seminar will become a vibrant intellectual platform and a meaningful churning of ideas among scholars, teachers, and students, contributing to deeper reflection on the future of higher education.
Swamy, Organising Secretary, briefed about the various academic sessions planned for the seminar, including four invited lectures and multiple technical sessions for paper presentations.
The seminar arrangements are being coordinated by Vasam Srinivas, Gangishetty Srinivas, Satyanarayana, and Krishnayya. Ravikumar, Staff Secretary, along with members of the organising committee, NCC and NSS volunteers, and students, are actively involved in organising the event to ensure its success.
The organisers described the seminar as an important academic initiative that will stimulate critical discussion on the relationship between academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and democratic values in contemporary higher education.
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