AIER initiated studies in ethnomathematics in collaborations with academicians from Israel, Brazil and Nepal. A study was conducted in the Sahyadri ranges of the state of Maharashtra to find out units of length measurements used by tribal people in this region. This study undertaken in collabo-ration with Prof. Miriam Amit of the Ben Gurion University, Israel resulted into some interesting findings. It was presented in the Topic Study Group on Ethnomathematics during the Thirteenth International Congress in Mathematical Education (ICME-13) held at Hamburg in July 2016. The write up of the work is being included in the monograph to be published by Springer. Ethnomathematics, although important in mathematics education, is an unexplored area in India. AIER has, therefore, planned to undertake systematic research studies in this field. The study was undertaken by Dr. Sudhakar Agarkar to understand how illiterate people in Orissa handle multipli-cation of number. The data collected during the study are being analysed. An article based on this study will be sent for publication soon.
Traditional Indian toys make use of simple scientific principles in their functioning. Hence, a pro-gramme has been initiated to make use of some common toys to explain scientific concepts to school students at a low cost. The idea was presented during the workshop organised by CASTME (Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators) in Cyprus. The workshop using Indian traditional toys has also been conducted at Surat Thani in Thailand during an international conference organised by ICASE (International Council of Associations of Science Education). There is a tremendous scope for taking this work further.
Syllabus of science and mathematics used in Indian schools and colleges is dominated by western thinking. In order that the teachers and students in India are made aware of a non-western contribu-tions to science and mathematics AIER has been conducting lectures on India's Contribution to Sci-ence and Technology in various schools and colleges in the country. This task is receiving positive response from schools as well as from colleges. A voluntary group from Chalisgaon in the state of Maharashtra is planning to establish Ganit Nagari (city of Mathematics) at Patan, the birth place of Bhaskaracharya. It has sought the help from AIER. The North Maharashtra University (NMU) at Jalgaon in the state of Maharashtra has taken a lead to start a course on History of Indian Mathematics for the post graduate students of the university. AIER has been approached to prepare syllabus for the same. It is proposed to start the course from the academic year 2018-19. Dr. Sudhakar Agarkar, Dean AIER is personally engaged in both the above activities.
With a view to establish research culture in VPM institutions courses are being conducted by Dr. Sudhakar Agarkar, Dean, AIER on Research Methodology with the help of other academicians from BRIMS. The first course on Conducting Research in Business and Management was completed in the academic year 2015-16 for the faculty of Dr. V. N. Bedekar Institute of Management Studies, Thane. The second course for the faculty of B. N. Bandodkar Science College on Conducting Research in Natural Sciences was arranged in the first term of the academic year 2016-17. The third course for the second batch of faculty members of the Bandodkar College was completed in the second term of 2016-17 and the first term of 2017-18. The fourth course on Conducting Research in Social Sciences is planned for the faculty of Joshi Bedekar College of Arts and Commerce.
In a short period of its existence AIER could establish contacts with educational institutions in other countries like Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIE), Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, International College, Suan Sunanda Rajbhat University, Bangkok, Institute of Education (IOE), London, Classroom of the Future (COTF), USA, Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore, New Generation Centre, Hong Kong, National Taiwan Normal University, etc.
In addition to educational institutions links have been established with professional organizations like Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), Association of Science Education (ASE), UK, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), USA, Commonwealth Association of Science Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME), International Association for Inter-cultural Education (IAIE), International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), International Council of Associations of Science Education (ICASE), etc. In collaboration with these institutions and organizations AIER proposes to expand its cultural exchange activities and educational tours.
Dr. Sudhakar C. Agarkar
Professor & Dean
VPM's Academy of International Education & Research,
Dr. Bedekar Vidya Mandir, Naupada
Thane - 400602.
Maharashtra, India.
Email: sagarkar@vpmthane.org
Website: http://vpmthane.org/aier/
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