- 19 April, 2026
Kolkata, September 10, 2025 – JIS (Jodh Iswar Singh) University in Kolkata, West Bengal, will launch a free online certificate course titled Interfaith Dialogue on September 11. The inauguration will take place at the JIS Management School, New Town, led by Chancellor Sardar Taranjit Singh and Director Sardar Simarpreet Singh.
The inaugural session will include Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Kolkata, Swami Atmeswarananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, Prof. Amit Basu on Hinduism, Prof. Bikku Arunjyoti on Buddhism, Prof. Namrata Kothari on Jainism, Owais Islam on Islam, and Rushvir Singh on Sikhism. Their joint presence reflects the programme’s emphasis on collaboration and unity.
The date of the launch is symbolic, marking Swami Vivekananda’s famous 1893 speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, as well as the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.
The programme, designed as a free online course with an optional Immersion Programme in February 2026, will be followed by an International Conference. Open to scholars, students, professionals, faith leaders, and peacebuilders, registration is available through a QR code.
Key figures involved include Prof. Dr. Neeraj Saxena, Pro Chancellor; Prof. Dr. Bhaskar Gupta, Vice Chancellor; Dr. Rajendra Nargundkar and Dr. Goutam Ghosh, Pro Vice Chancellors; Dr. Bratati Bhattacharyya, Director; and senior leaders of JIS Group. Academic leadership comes from Associate Professor Dr. Nilanjan Ray, Head of Department Dr. Indranil Mutsuddi, Professor Dr. Sraboni Dutta, and Prof. Dr. Fr Mathew Chandrankunnel, Consultant and Advisor.
Modules cover Contemporary Issues and Dialogue, exploring Interfaith Peacebuilding and The Role of Religion in Global Conflicts and Cooperation. Others address major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Participants will also study Intercultural Dialogue and Understanding India—History & Culture, with topics ranging from ancient civilisations to secularism in India.
The optional Immersion Programme will take participants to significant sites such as Belur Math, ISKCON, the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, Bodh Gaya temples, Nalanda ruins, Varanasi Ghats, the Bahá’í Lotus Temple, and Sikh gurdwaras. Interaction with faith leaders, policymakers, and academics will complement the visits, concluding with an International Interfaith Conference at JIS University.
This initiative aims to equip participants with the ability to dismantle stereotypes, address misconceptions, and highlight shared values across traditions. By combining academic study with practical engagement, it prepares leaders and professionals to act as peacebuilders and cultural diplomats.
Graduates will receive a formal credential from JIS University, validating their learning and commitment to fostering peace and inclusion. In doing so, the Global Interfaith Dialogue programme sets an important example of how education can bridge divides and build sustainable, inclusive societies.
The university functions under the JIS Group, the largest educational network in Eastern India. Founded 25 years ago by Sardar Jodh Singh, the group has grown to 39 institutions offering 185 programmes to over 45,000 students. In view of turbulent global politics and cultural divisions, the group has initiated this course to strengthen dialogue among faiths and promote peace.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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