5 Day GIAN Online Course inaugurated at Department of English
Aligarh : A five- day GIAN (Global Initiative of Academic Networks),
an Online Course of Ministry of Education on “Electronic Literature and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Theory and Practice of Digital Storytelling” was inaugurated in the department of English, AMU on October 25.
The Foreign Faculty of the course, Prof Paola Carbone,( IULM, Milan, Italy), a renowned scholar of digital humanities in her keynote address presented a summary of the information that would be covered throughout the course. She spoke about how computer-based AI knowledge can be incorporated and utilised to enrich the cultural heritage of different countries. She briefed the perspectives on literature and Storytelling, as well as the relationship between Literature, Artificial Intelligence, and storytelling culture across the world.
At the inaugural session of the course, Prof Mohd Rizwan Khan, Host Faculty and Course Coordinator, Department of English, said, “Humanities need to claim the space in the world of Artificial Intelligent (AI). The primary goal of this GIAN course is to invite foreign faculty to create opportunities for Indian students in expanding their mental horizons to promote intellectual depth.’’ He also discussed the significance of the course for all the participants. He said that it is a dynamic field, and any discussion on this topic is always insufficient.
Prof Khan shed light on AI and the paradigm change that is destined to occur in research pedagogy. He talked about the scope of digital humanities and how it will boost the capacity to read and comprehend electronic literature.
Prof Arif Nazir, Dean, Faculty of Arts, quoted Stephen Hawking and said computers are a magnificent instrument. It doubles the performance every 18 months and there is a possibility that very soon computers will take over the world and people. He appreciated the course on a topic that is rapidly evolving and would be of enormous use to the students.
The Chief Guest of the inaugural session, Prof Wasim Ahmad, Department of Zoology, emphasised the positive aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic that enabled the development of online initiatives. He also discussed the role of computers and technology in the development of knowledge-based learning and research capability.
Prof M Jahangir Warsi, Local Coordinator of GIAN appreciated the department of English, for offering the number of maximum GIAN courses in the university.
Prof M Asim Siddiqui, Chairperson, Department of English, initiated the session and presented an overview of the department of English and its inception since MAO College days.
Dr Raihan Raza, Associate Professor, Department of English, offered a vote of thanks to conclude the inaugural session.
Prof Seemin Hasan, Prof Shaheena Tarannum, Prof Vibha Sharma, Prof Nazia Hasan, Prof Rubina Iqbal, Dr Fauzia Usmani, Dr Darakshan Zafar, and a considerable number of other educators, researchers and students from across the nation attended the online event.
More than 150 persons attended the inaugural session via Google Meet.
The proceedings were conducted jointly by Mrs Bushra Ahmad and Miss Maria Shahid, research scholars, Department of English.