Anant National University and the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education are organizing ICERM 2025, a conference aimed at designing homegrown research projects within India.
A New Era for Indigenous Education: The Indigenous Consciousness Methodology Education Research Project (ICER)
The Indigenous Consciousness Methodology Education Research Project (ICER) was officially launched in July 2025, marking a significant milestone in the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems into Indian education research and policy. The project, a collaborative effort between Anant National University (India) and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) in the USA, aims to create more equitable and culturally attuned education systems.
Bringing Together Scholars and Practitioners
The ICER project was anchored in a convening hosted by Anant National University and Penn GSE, bringing together scholars, education policy experts, and practitioners to establish its foundation. The event, held on July 25-26, 2025, was a continuation of Anant's collaboration with Penn GSE, expanding efforts in global education innovation.
Aligned with National Education Policy 2020
ICER aligns with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes inclusive and locally grounded education models that preserve and elevate indigenous knowledge systems. By doing so, ICER supports the policy’s vision for inclusive, culturally rooted education systems that empower diverse indigenous communities.
Research Methodologies Centered on Indigenous Consciousness
The primary goal of ICER is to advance research methodologies centered on Indigenous Consciousness, which prioritizes local knowledge systems and community-engaged practices. The project aims to develop sustainable, equitable educational frameworks that are culturally responsive and respect indigenous perspectives as central to learning models.
Informing Education Policy in India
ICER is intended to inform the design and development of education policy starting from the academic year 2025-2026, ensuring that indigenous worldview and knowledge are preserved within educational frameworks. By doing so, the project seeks to create a more equitable and culturally attuned education system consistent with national policy goals.
International Knowledge Exchange and Research Impact
The collaboration between Anant National University and Penn GSE may also extend international knowledge exchange and research impact, potentially influencing education reforms that respect local cultural contexts.
Anant National University, a diverse and dynamic institution, is a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat. Its designers are trained to become solutionaries - revolutionary thinkers with a solution-oriented mindset. The university's multidisciplinary undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs integrate knowledge from various disciplines and traditional practices with cutting-edge technology to address diverse challenges.
Penn GSE, with a century-long tradition of producing education leaders driven by innovation, research, and social impact, actively partners with schools, universities, and communities around the world to improve educational access and equity. Through Penn Global, the university administers a competitive global engagement grant program, providing resources for a broad range of research, teaching, service, and engagement activities.
In sum, ICER represents a foundational step in integrating Indigenous Consciousness methodology directly into Indian education research and policy, seeking to create more equitable and culturally attuned education systems consistent with national policy goals.
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