JNU appoints chairperson of Centre for Korean Studies Prof. Ravikesh as Registrar
NEW DELHI: Jawaharlal Nehru University, India’s one of the top and prestigious institutes of higher education, has appointed Prof. Ravikesh as Registrar of the University. The decision was taken in the 303th meeting of the Executive Council held recently at the campus.
Prof. Ravikesh, was looking after the Office of Registrar since June 2021, besides his other responsibility as Chairperson of Centre for Korean Studies, School of Language, Literature & Culture Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Prof. Ravikesh was congratulated by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit.
He has been one of the pioneers of the Korean language program at JNU. Apart from vast teaching and research experience spanning to over two decades in the area of the Korean language, literature, and culture, he was entrusted with several academic and administrative positions. His area of interest and study include Korean language teaching, modern Korean literature, aesthetics, literary translation, and E-Learning. He has published a number of research papers and books in English and Korean.
Among several award and fellowships, he was awarded the prestigious Citation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister of the Republic of Korea in recognition of his achievement and contribution to the successful execution of research activities and promotion of academic excellence in the field of Korean Studies in India in 2021.
He also has been the Chairperson of the “Special Centre for E-Learning” and “Alumni Affairs Office” at JNU. His area of interest and study include Korean language teaching, modern Korean literature, aesthetics, literary translation, and E-Learning.
Prof. Ravikesh has published a number of research papers and books in English and Korean. Some of his selected publications include: “India and Korea: Perspectives on Language, Literature and Culture” (ed.) supported by the Korea Foundation (2008), “A textbook on Korean Culture (Raju in Korea)” (co-authored) published in 2008, “Korea: Ek Parichay (trans. & ed.) supported by The Ministry of Cultural and Tourism, the Republic of Korea in 2013, “Modern Korean Literature for Foreigners” (Korean) (co-authored) in 2014 and “Towards Asian Poetics (Inter-Cultural Space of India, Korea, China and Japan) (co-authored)” in 2016, “Korean Studies in Indian & South Asia” Vol-III in 2016 and “Dimensions of India-Korea Relations” in 2019.
He has undertaken 2 major research project namely AKS Korean Studies Incubation Project titled “Towards an Asian Poetics: A Study in Inter-Cultural Space with Special Reference to the Works of Han Yong-un and Rabindranath Tagore” (2010-2013) and AKS Core University project titled “Emerging Korea and Korean Studies in India and South Asia: Comparative and Inter-disciplinary Approaches” (2016 to present).
This comprehensive five-year project aims to critically examine cultural, social, historical, and literary aspects of Korean society in modern times. This project consists of 6 Core faculty members along with 19 participating members from several different academic departments/schools representing social sciences, humanities, and other disciplines from within India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar.
The project was undertaken to promote awareness and knowledge about Korea amongst those involved in Korean Studies as well as students, instructors, and researchers from other disciplines who may desire to complement courses that already exist thereby making it interdisciplinary. Demand for Korean Studies in India is growing at a phenomenal rate but there is a need for experts as well as nativized material on Korean Studies for generating interest as well as bridging the gap between demand and supply.
Under this inter-disciplinary and inter-cultural project (headed by Prof. Ravikesh), every year 2 international symposiums, 2 Young Scholars’ Seminars are organized since 2016 and the papers have been published in an edited volume (4 volumes per year). Among several other activities, there is a fellowship program for graduate students, a new nativized Korean Studies textbook series (in History, Culture & Literature) along e-content development and other strategic plans which are being implemented for networking and publication. Through such activities, the Centre for Korean Studies at JNU has emerged as the Hub of Korean Studies in India and has been placed as a major Centre of academic excellence in the South Asian region.
