SMVDU Katra, Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, School of Languages & Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered an invited talk on “Principles & Approaches in Second Language Reading”, organized by the Dept. of Education, School Divisions Office, Navotas City, Republic of Philippines.

The theme of the virtual expo was to bridge the pandemic gap in reading and literacy through quality school based interventions and innovations in distance learning. Dr. Dwivedi discussed the techniques to teach reading skills, such as extensive and intensive reading texts, while highlighting the folded paper approach and fog gunning readability test. The Superintendent, Alejandro G. Ibanez Ceso VI, Office of the Schools Division, thanked Dr. Dwivedi for showcasing the best practices in promoting reading/literacy in distance learning.

Dr. Amitabh Vikram Dwivedi, Faculty, School of Languages & Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered a keynote address on the topic titled, "Text, Textuality and Discourse" in a one day webinar organized by G. Venkataswamy Naidu College, Kovilpatti, Manomanium Sunbarnar University, Tirunelveli, where Dr. Dwivedi discussed important literary concepts such as, syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations, semantic relations, intertextuality and intersubjectivity, cohesive relations across literary texts, and alike.

The talk was attended by many participants, chiefly faculty members, scholars and students from different Indian states. After the talk a question-answer session was conducted where participants raised their queries which were answered satisfactorily by the speaker. The Convener, Mr. M. Balakrishnan, Faculty, Dept. of English, GVN College, expressed his gratitude to the speaker for sharing his knowledge.

SMVDU Katra. Dr. Amitabh Vikram Dwivedi, School of Languages & Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, delivered an invited talk on “Academic Research Paper & Abstract Writing” in a Faculty Development Program on Research, organized by the Center for Research, Ajeenkya DY Patil University in collaboration with University of Southern Mindanao, Philippines.

Many participants from India and abroad participated in the FDP where many topics related to, such as identification of research problems; types of research; research design; sampling techniques; ideas to IPR; literature review; research statistical formulae; and alike, were deliberated upon by the eminent resource persons. The participants expressed their gratitude to Dr. Dwivedi for sharing his knowledge.The Vice-Chancellor, Hrridaysh Deshpande, and Dr. Vijay D. Kulkarni, Head, Center for Research, Ajeenkya DY Patil Uni., thanked Dr. Dwivedi, and presented him with a certification of appreciation.

In an award ceremony held on 06 February 2021, Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, has been awarded with a Research Excellence Award 2021 at Edukos Unite Global Achiever Awards.

The Director of Edukos Unite of Scholars (EUS), and President of Radhika Foundation, Dr. Ratish Gupta, presented this award to Dr. Dwivedi for a wonderful job in the field of research and promotion. Dr. Dwivedi as a linguist and cultural expert, has worked extensively in promoting lesser-known & indegenous languages of Jammu & Kashmir, including Dogri, Sarazi, Bhadarwahi, Punchi, and others. And contributed many chapters on Hinduism and tribal religions globally.

SMVDU Katra. Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered an invited talk on “How to Write an Abstract for Academic Publications” in a Writing Workshop organized by Department of Comparative Indian Language and Literature, University of Calcutta.

Dr. Dwivedi informed that abstract writing is one of the most important aspects of a research process, and researchers write abstract at different occasions during their research when they are writing a paper or working on a doctoral thesis, or submitting a research proposal to a funding agency. The talk was highly informative, and appreciated well by the participants. He also shared a write-up of his session so that it may be published in the post-workshop proceedings to help researchers. Dr. Mrinmoy Pramanick, Coordinator, Writing Workshop & Faculty, Uni. of Calcutta, expressed his gratitude to Dr. Dwivedi for sharing his knowledge and benefitting the participants.

Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, School of Languages & Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, participated and chaired a technical session in an international conference at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies (deemed to be university), Haryana, on the theme “Mythology: Present, Past & Future”. Many papers on indigenous Indian myths, such as “Re-visiting Sita in Canada”; “Tracing Caste Composition through the Pandav Lila Performance Of Garhwal Himalayas”; “Mythology as a Divine Metaphor”, and alike, were presented by the scholars and academicians.

Dr. Dwivedi provided useful feedback to the researchers, as he has written extensively on Hinduism, tribal religions, and contributed more than hundred chapters to the Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion & Encyclopedia of Hinduism and Tribal Religions, Springer Nature, Germany. Dr. Shivani Vashisith, Head, English Department & Dr. Suchitra Vashisth, Faculty, Manav Rachna Uni. thanked Dr. Dwivedi for guiding researchers, and sharing the knowledge.

SMVDU, Katra. Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered an invited talk on the theme, titled “Language and Literature in Global Unification” in an international webinar at Institute of Global Professionals, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh, where recorded 12,400 participants registered, joined the live-streaming event and participated actively.

Dr. Dwivedi dealt with the issues related to English language teaching through literature, while highlighting how a classical literary text can become an effective tool to promote language learning in online and offline teaching. He also demonstrated teaching aids, such as the preparation of lesson plans, quizzes and assignments which can be implemented during and after the class to promote and check the participants’ performances.The organizers of the event thanked Dr. Dwivedi for sharing his knowledge. The participants across the globe expressed their gratitude to the speaker as they get benefitted.

Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, School of Languages & Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered a keynote address on the topic, titled "Posing the Right Questions: How to Fill the Research Gap & Make Research Writing Argumentative", organized by ISTAR Global Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand.

During his address, Dr. Dwivedi discussed how research is guided by carefully reasoned, interesting questions, and research projects begin with a question and an open mind, while avoiding Inaccurate observations, overgeneralizations, selective observation and Illogical reasoning. Dr. Rommel V. Tabula, President & Founder, International Society of Teachers, Administrators and Researchers, Thailand, thanked Dr. Dwivedi for sharing his knowledge.

SMVDU, Katra. Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, School of Languages & Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered a talk on “Pedagogical Stylistics: An Approach to Promote Language Learning” as a keynote address at Intl. Educators’ Congress on English in the Workplace, organized by Intl. Alliance of English Language Teachers (IAELT) in collaboration with Licco di San Lorenzo and Ebenezer Christian Academy Inc., Thailand.

Dr. Dwivedi’s talk was focused on the role of literature in teaching language to the second language learners. He emphasized that a classical text has multiple layers of meanings; therefore it can become an ideal text while teaching second language learners. The participants raised many questions which were answered by the speaker satisfactorily. Prof. Keive Ozia G. Casimaro (Vice-President, IAELT) & Dr. Tabula, (President IAELT) thanked Dr. Dwivedi for sharing his knowledge.

Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, School of Languages & Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, delivered an invited talk on the scope and careers in the field of languages and linguistics at Cluster University, Jammu. The talk was organized to highlight the importance of languages and linguistics, and to make them aware of scope and job opportunities in this discipline. Dr. Dwivedi stressed upon that the knowledge of linguistics is an extra edge for the students of all streams.

Dr. Dwivedi discussed both the micro and macro linguistics, and how knowledge of linguistics opens doors in various domains, like Language Teaching, Information Technology, Publishing, Language Services Industry, Professional Services, such as speech pathologist/therapist, accent coach, audiologist, college/university professor (combining research, teaching and service), etc.Dr. Dwivedi also emphasized that students should go for MOOC Courses, EdX Courses, and the preparation of NET examination during their respective degrees. He comprehensively answered to the queries raised by students.

Dr. Reena Salaria, HoD, School of Humanities & Liberal Arts, Cluster University, and the convener of this talk, and Dr. Geetanjali Raina, Dean, Faculty of Arts, thanked Dr. Dwivedi for sharing his knowledge.

aaSMVDU Katra, Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered an invited talk as a Resource Person on the topic titled, “Linguistic Analysis of Shrimad Bhagawad Gita: Some Insights into Getting Meaningfulness and Understanding Life” during the International E-Conference on “Individual & Social Health: The Role of Vedas, Yoga, Literature and Science”, jointly organized by Yog Vidya Dham Dhule’s Shankarrao Chavan Health Centre & English Language Teachers’ Association of India (ELT@I), Khandesh Chapter.

Dr. Dwivedi linguistically analyzed important slokas of Shree Bhagavad Gita, and related it to the issues, such as process vs. product teaching, problem of concentration, understanding life and its meaning, good action and free will, and others. Dr. Vaibhav J. Sabnis, Convenor of the event & Faculty, College of Law, Dhule, MS, thanked the resource person for sharing his knowledge and valuable guidance.

Ms. Devika Sharma, Research Scholar, School of Languages and Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, bags Silver and Elite certificates for 8-week and 12-week NPTEL courses conducted by IIT Madras, titled "English Literature of Romantic Period, 1798-1832", conducted by Prof. Pramod K. Nayar, and in "Introduction to Cultural Studies and Twentieth Century Fiction", conducted by Dr. Avishek Parui, IIT Madras.

The research student has been working on the narrativity in the Dogri Folktales in her PhD programme under the supervision of Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi. Ms. Sharma has learned a variety of new concepts related to cultural studies and romantic literature, and highlighted the value of such courses in the overall academic growth and development of a student.

Dr. Amitabh V Dwivedi, Faculty, School of Languages, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered a talk on “Assumptions, Concepts, Variables and Hypothesis” at a weeklong Faculty Development Programme on New Trends in Educational Research organized by UGC-HRDC, Pune and VVM’s Arts and Commerce College, Akkalkuwa, Distt. Nandurbar (Maharashtra).

Dr. Dwivedi discussed various issues associated with the research methodology, such as types of assumptions, and how to fix logical fallacies while forming an assumption; concepts & generalizations, and how to extract concepts from mundane situations; and the formation of a hypothesis.The participants greatly appreciated the talk, and raised questions which were answered by Dr. Dwivedi satisfactorily. Dr. JB Bagul, Convenor of the FDP, thanked Dr. Dwivedi for sharing his knowledge.

The Department of Languages and Placement Cell of Government College of Education, Jammu, organized an invited Talk on Role of Communication Skills in Teaching of Languages for the students.The resource person for the program Dr. Amitabh Vikram Dwivedi, Faculty, School of Languages & Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, and recently an award winner of Asian Educational and Research Leader Award 2020.The program was inaugurated by the Principal of the College, Dr. Kulvinder Kour. Addressing the students through virtual mode, she encouraged the students to take the benefit of all the events organized by the college and gear themselves up for professional development through online mode, as it has become the new norm.

After the inaugural address, the resource person, Dr. Amitabh Vikram Dwivedi, apprised the students about the importance of verbal, non-verbal and paralanguage mode of communication. He also said that language learning is basically a skill and more opportunities should be given to students for developing reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.The teaching pattern also needs a paradigm shift in making language learning student centric. He also shared modern and digital methods of teaching and learning of languages like, mind mapping technique, folded paper reading method, development of four skills along with thinking skills, according to the demands of the current times.

In the concluding session the students interacted with the resource person and raised the queries. The queries were answered in a comprehensive manner by the resource person. The program was conducted by Dr. Shalini Rana. The faculty members who were present during the virtual meet were Dr. Neelam Dhar, Dr. Satish Sharma, Dr. Radhika Mahajan, Dr. Ramzaan Ali, Prof Tahira Shah, Prof Mandeep Singh, Prof Harmanmeet Kour, Prof Rubina Yasmeen, Dr Maansi Sharma, Dr. Neeraj Verma, Dr. Prabhjot Kaur, and Dr. Shapia Shameem.

Dr. Shapia shameem presented the vote-of-thanks. The faculty members from other colleges also participated in the meeting, namely Dr. Chetna Mahajan of GCW Gandhi Nagar, Dr. Naaz Zargar, GDC Bhaderwah, Dr. Kavita Singh of BHU.The program was conducted through Google Meet.

SMVDU . Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi, Faculty, School of Languages & Literature, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered an invited talk on the topic titled, “Fieldwork in Linguistics” at Cluster University, Jammu, where he discussed various issues associated with descriptive linguistic fieldwork, and methods of language revitalization to the students and faculty members of the Faculty of Arts.

During the talk, he also emphasized on the immersion and interview methods of field linguistics, and made a clear distinction between documentary and description. The students and faculty members raised their queries which were satisfactorily answered by the speaker.

Dr. Dwivedi, along with his research scholars, has been working on the lesser known languages of Jammu & Kashmir, and engaged in preserving these languages through language documentation and description. He has documented many languages, including Sarazi, Dogri Dialects and Bhadarwahi until recently.

Dr. Reena Salaria, Head, School of Humanities and Liberal Arts, Cluster Uni., thanked Dr. Dwivedi for sharing his knowledge. Ms. Bharti & Ms. Akansha Sharma, Faculty Members, presented a vote of thanks.