1st International Digital Literacy Forum on the theme "Redefining Literacy in the Emerging Digital Society" organised by Bhutta College of Education, sponsored by College Development Council, Panjab University, Chandigarh in collaboration with Confederation College, Ontario, Canada and World Punjabi Council, Toronto, Canada scheduled on February 5 and 6, 2015 started today.The Forum aims at creating awareness about Digital Literacy among stakeholders through the medium of International Conference, Workshop and Exhibition. The event began with the inaugural session that was presided over by Dr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Hon. Speaker Punjab Legislative Assembly.Dr. Irena Rozman, Department of Social Anthropology, University of Coper was the Guest of Honor. Dr. Sonu Grewal, Principal, Bhutta College of Education and Director Forum welcomed the guests and gave the opening remarks of conference. Michael Koroma, Councilor of Siera Leone, and Ms. Layolah, Embassy of Uganda discussed education in the global context.
Dr. Charanjit Singh Atwal stressed upon the upliftment and spread of digital literacy in education in the rural areas of Punjab as progress of a country depends upon development of education. He appealed NGOs, Trusts, religious and Non-religious bodies to adopt the schools to provide financial assistance and other necessary educational material to the students of the weaker section of the society. Dr. R C Sharma, Director, Commonwealth Media Center for Asia delivered the keynote address. He discussed trends in digitalization, scenario in Asia and global context. Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal highlighted the emergence of data explosion and communication revolution in educational context of digitalization. Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha said that financial limitation of families should not hinder imparting of digital literacy to the weaker section of the society and thanked all the guests. Prof. Amarjit Singh Grewal lauded the efforts of the organizers of the forum.
Dr. M S Kang, Former Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Dr. R P S Brar, Dean, CDC, Punjabi University, Dr. Manoj Saxena, Dean, School of Education, Central University of Himachal Pradesh chaired Technical sessions in which delegates from 72 institutes from various parts of the country and the world presented papers on various sub-themes. Dr. Tripti Singh, Well-Known Graphic Designer and Mr Kirpal Singh Pannu were honored for exemplary contribution in the field of digital literacy. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mr Manjit Singh Mehran, Media Advisor to Hon'ble Speaker, Punjab, besides others.