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Launching Three New Initiatives Focused on Dialogue, Community Engagement and Experiential Learning
BML Munjal University marked a significant milestone on 6 May 2026 with the launch of three new initiatives aimed at strengthening dialogue, community engagement and interdisciplinary learning. The day brought together educators, students, practitioners and community partners through the inauguration of the Institute for Dialogue of Educators’ Action and Research (I-DEAR), the Centre for Community Networks, Nurturing Reciprocal Engagement, Co-Learning and Trust (CONNECT), and Studio Rashomon, an innovative experiential learning platform.
The three initiatives reflect the university’s commitment to creating spaces that connect academic inquiry with social engagement, creative exploration and educational transformation.
The launch of I-DEAR was marked by The First Prof. Jalaluddin Remembrance, organised in collaboration with Bodh Shiksha Samiti under the theme “Towards Equity in Education for All.” Conceived as an inaugural reflection on the life and legacy of one of India’s most distinguished educationists, the event brought together scholars, practitioners, journalists, and policy thinkers for a day-long dialogue on educational access, quality, innovation, and inclusion.
Addressing participants, Prof. Shyam Menon, Officiating Vice Chancellor, reflected on Prof. Jalaluddin’s enduring contributions to educational reform, curriculum development and public policy. Discussions throughout the day explored themes ranging from early childhood education and language learning to classroom transformation, adult education, and educational policy, underscoring the continuing relevance of Prof. Jalaluddin’s vision for equitable and democratic education.
Complementing these conversations on education and social change was the launch of CONNECT, a centre dedicated to fostering reciprocal engagement and collaborative learning between the university and communities. The initiative seeks to create meaningful partnerships that enable students, faculty and community stakeholders to learn from one another while addressing real-world challenges through shared knowledge and action.
The day also witnessed the exhibition of Studio Rashomon, an interdisciplinary learning space headed by filmmaker Mr. Sanjay Barnela. Designed as a multidisciplinary studio that transcends conventional academic boundaries, Studio Rashomon encourages experiential, curiosity-driven learning through immersive and collaborative projects.
As part of the launch, students showcased work from the course Living Lightly through an exhibition featuring murals, installations, three-dimensional models and visual narratives developed following a field immersion in Kutch. The projects explored themes such as sustainability, migration, ecology, belonging and craft traditions, offering diverse interpretations of shared experiences. Together, the exhibition highlighted the studio’s core philosophy that every narrative is shaped by the perspective of the storyteller.
Collectively, the launch of I-DEAR, CONNECT, and Studio Rashomon reflects University’s vision of education as a transformative force—one that is rooted in dialogue, enriched by community engagement and strengthened through experiential learning. The initiatives will serve as platforms for fostering critical inquiry, collaborative action and innovative approaches to addressing contemporary social and educational challenges.