The State University for Education, Training and Research in Blended format, Kerala Sreenarayanaguru Open University, named after the renowned social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, is a state-run institution dedicated to providing accessible, flexible and quality higher education through Open and Distance learning. With a mission to promote inclusive education, the university offers 16 undergraduate and 12 postgraduate programmes.
Our commitment to lifelong learning serves diverse learners, including working professionals and learners from rural areas. Reflecting the values of great Guru, the University also engages in social, cultural and developmental initiatives of Kerala.
As part of our mission, Sreenarayanaguru Open University, is organising Sreenarayanaguru Cultural and Literary Festival 2024 from 30^th November to 3^rd December 2024, at the Sreenarayanaguru Cultural Complex, Asramam, Kollam. The event features book exhibitions, literary competitions, film screenings, cultural performances, and a National Seminar focused on Kerala's development.

National Seminar on Kerala's Development: Opportunities and Challenges.

We are pleased to invite you to the two-day National Seminar on Kerala's development. This seminar will provide a platform for researchers, academics, and professionals to present original research, share insights and engage in discussions on key sectors vital to Kerala's future development of Kerala.

Call for Papers – Key Topics

1. Higher Education and Cultural Exchange : Kerala's potential to become a global educational hub, integrating cultural studies in higher education, the role of technology in reshaping education and enhancing accessibility.
   
2. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Culture: Traditional farming practices and their relevance today, food processing, security, and Kerala's culinary heritage, climate change adaptation in agriculture.
   
3. Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Arts in Kerala: Traditional art forms and their modern adaptations, literature, cinema, and performing arts, role of technology in preserving and promoting Kerala's cultural heritage.
   
4. Industry 4.0 and the Future of Manufacturing: Automation, AI and smart technologies transforming Kerala's manufacturing sector, E-governance, IT infrastructure, and opportunities in cybersecurity and digital literacy.
   
5. Social Inclusion and Economic Development: Financial reforms and digital banking for inclusive growth, addressing social inequalities through economic policies, preserving cultural diversity in the face of economic changes.
   
6. Responsible Tourism and Cultural Exchange: Ecotourism and responsible travel practices, showcasing Kerala's cultural heritage through tourism, health tourism and traditional wellness practices.
   
7. Technology, Governance, and Social Change: E-governance and digital literacy initiatives, IT infrastructure and cybersecurity, the impact of technology on social structures and cultural practices.
   
8. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Creative Industries: Fostering Kerala's start-up culture and innovation hubs, entrepreneurship in arts, crafts, and cultural sectors, challenges faced by entrepreneurs in industries.
   
9. Environmental Sustainability and Natural Disaster Management: Integrating modern conservation efforts with climate change mitigation, developing resilience strategies for natural calamities, Kerala's role in global environmental protection and disaster preparedness initiatives.
   
10. Healthcare: Kerala’s Potential to Become a Global Hub: Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, traditional healthcare system, geriatric care, and quality service delivery.
    

    Important Dates

    Abstract Submission (300 words)	:	31 October 2024
    Intimation of Acceptance	:	2 November 2024
    Full Paper Submission (4000-5000 words)	:	20 November 2024

    Submission Guidelines

    Papers should be original, unpublished, and written either in English, Malayalam or Hindi.
    Abstracts and full papers must be submitted via sgou.ac.in/ns2024
    Authors of selected papers will be allowed to present either as oral or poster presentations as decided by the panel of experts.
    Papers presented at the seminar will be published in the ISBN-indexed seminar proceedings.
    Presenters from Outside Kerala can also present online.

    Registration Details

    Registration Fee  : ₹ 500
    Payments shall be made via sgou.ac.in/ns2024
    
    The participants shall bear the expenses for travel and accomodation on their own.
    

    Oral Presentations

    Duration: 10-15 minutes per presentation, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session.
    Parallel Sessions will be organised to accommodate the diversity of topics.
    

    Poster Presentations

    Poster Display	:	Posters will be displayed at the venue.
    Poster Walk	:	Time slot will be allocated for presenters to stand by with posters and engage with attendees.

    Awards and Recognition

    Categories for Awards

    Best Research Paper	-	Based on originality, depth, and impact.
    Best Oral Presentation	-	For clarity, presentation skills, and audience engagement.
    Best Poster Presentation	-	For creativity, layout, and effectiveness in communication.

Paper Submission