A Two-day National Conference on “Ensuring Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Sports for the Empowerment of Women with Disabilities” was organized on 23-24 February 2018 by the two Faculties of the RKMVERI, Coimbatore – FDMSE & GAPEY.
The conference commenced with an inaugural function on 23 February 2018. Dr. Muthaiah, Dean, FDMSE, welcomed the gathering and introduced the theme of the conference. Swami Yatatmanandaji Maharaj, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Salem, presided over the function and delivered the Presidential address. The Chief Guest of the function, Dr. Nandini Rawal, Executive Director, Blind People’s Association and Treasurer, International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI), delivered the Keynote address, then followed by vote of thanks proposed by Dr. S. Alagesan, Prof., & Head, GAPEY. Soon after that, a short film on Sister Nivedita was screened and Assistive Technology Stalls for the empowerment of the individuals with disabilities was inaugurated by Swami Yatatmanandaji Maharaj.
The valedictory function of the Conference was organized on 24 February 2018. Dr. S. Alagesan delivered the welcome address and Dr. Muthaiah presented a brief report of the Conference. The Chief Guest, Ms. Preethi Srinivasan, Founder, Soul free Charitable Trust, Thiruvannamalai delivered the Chief guest address. Mr. Shankar Subbiah, Accessibility consultant, gave the special address which followed by feedback by the delegates. Dr. S. Parween, Assistant Professor proposed the vote of thanks.
A total of 133 delegates (Male-40 & Female-93) attended the conference. Forty scholars (Staff & Students FDMSE-18 & GAPEY-22) presented papers on various themes related to the conference in three parallel sessions on two days.
