Srinagar, October 19: The Department of Psychology, University of Kashmir (KU), in collaboration with the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Government Medical College Srinagar, on Monday inaugurated a week-long international workshop on Digital Wellbeing and Inclusion for Neurodiversity at the university’s main campus.
Organised under the European Commission-sponsored project Digital Transformation for Neurodiversity Inclusion in Africa and Asia (AAN-DI), the workshop aims to strengthen international research collaboration and explore how digital technologies can promote the wellbeing and social and educational inclusion of neurodivergent individuals.
Researchers, experts and participants from Kenya, Finland, Ethiopia and India are taking part in the programme, alongside project consortium partners, the J&K Department of School Education and IMHANS J&K.
Addressing the inaugural session, KU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan emphasised the importance of inclusive education, mental health awareness and the responsible use of technology in addressing the needs of neurodivergent individuals.
She said universities have a crucial role in fostering research and collaboration to make digital spaces more accessible and supportive. She added that KU was exploring further partnerships with national and international organisations to strengthen research, promote academic exchange and develop inclusive solutions to emerging challenges.
Prof. Hazel Miseda, Vice-Chancellor of Great Lakes University of Kisumu, highlighted the role of universities in advancing digital wellbeing and neurodiversity through inclusive education, research and institutional collaboration.
Dean, School of Education and Behavioural Sciences, KU, Prof. Touseef Rizvi, stressed the need to create supportive environments in educational institutions and society.
Prof. Aziz-ud-din of IIT Bombay highlighted the significance of research, technological innovation and collaboration in developing inclusive approaches to neurodiversity.
Prof. Showkat Ahmad Shah, Project Principal Investigator at KU and organising secretary of the workshop, outlined the programme’s objectives, while Prof. Susannah Otieno Leppänen, Principal Investigator at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, presented an overview of the AAN-DI project.
Earlier, Head of the Department of Psychology, KU, Prof. Humera Shafi, welcomed the participants and highlighted the workshop’s importance in advancing research and awareness of neurodiversity.
The week-long programme will feature technical sessions on baseline survey tools for assessing neurodiversity, the biological understanding of neurodiversity and the use of artificial intelligence to detect neurodevelopmental issues.
It will also include a sensitisation programme for teachers from the J&K Department of School Education, research presentations by participants from the four participating countries and a visit to IMHANS J&K.
Dr. Asma Nabi, faculty member in the Department of Psychology, conducted the proceedings and proposed the vote of thanks.
