(The 17th edition of the Annual Doctoral Thesis Conference at ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad held on May 22nd & 23rd , 2025)
The two-day 17th Annual Doctoral Thesis Conference organized by the ICFAI School of Social Sciences, a constituent of the ICFAI Foundation For Higher Education (IFHE) Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), Mumbai was inaugurated on May 22, 2025.
The Chancellor of the ICFAI University, Formerly Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India Dr C Rangarajan, in his inaugural address to the delegates, pointed to some of the challenges that lie ahead for India, in Government of India’s goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’, or transforming India into a developed nation by the year 2047 which would mark the centenary of its independence. He explained that an yearly economic growth rate of over 7% would be required in the coming years. Among other things, he feels that identifying employment generating sectors is required for the benefits of economic development to reach the masses.
A special address entitled, “Climate Finance: Mechanisms, Challenges, & Current State of Research” was delivered by Prof. Basanta K Pradhan, the Vice-Chancellor of IGIDR. He touched upon the various important issues underlying the economic & financial aspects of climate change & environmental degradation, like adaptation & mitigation. He emphasized the need for an interdisciplinary approach to environmental protection.
Initially, welcoming the delegates on this occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of IFHE, Prof. LS Ganesh, has called for an academic discourse on the paradoxes within sustainable development initiatives being followed worldwide. He is of the opinion that a systems science approach is essential to resolve global issues pertaining to climate change.
The conference is an yearly event which is very popular among research scholars pursuing their doctoral studies in various institutions of higher learning across India & abroad in social sciences. Later, the Dean of the School, Prof. T Koti Reddy presented the vote of thanks.
