Written by: Amni Azizan
Edited by: Nabilah Yusnasri
GOMBAK, 2nd April 2024: On Friday, 29th March, an educational talk was organised at IIUM’s ADM LT 1 at 10 am.
“A Talk on English Education in Colonial India” was organised by the Secretariat of English Language and Literature (ELITS). The programme was moderated by Professor Dr Mahmudul Hasan, a lecturer from the Department of English Language and Literature (DELL).
Interestingly, the distinguished guest speaker for the talk was Professor Dr Sutapa Dutta, an English Professor at Gargi College, University of Delhi. Her field of interests encompassed writings from the 18th and 19th centuries, covering gender, education and identity in colonial India.
Prof Dr Sutapa talked about education instruments in colonial education | Credit: BENL Gallery
The talk benefits students from the Bachelor of English Language and Literature (BENL) course due to the relevance of the topic to postcolonial studies such as colonisation and the Islamisation of knowledge, which aligns with the course plan.
The president of ELITS, Nor Shahira, gave her thoughts on the educational talk. According to her, “I would say this is a golden opportunity for BENL students because we’re exposed to an actual person who grew up in Bengal, India. Basically, Dr showed us how the education system is shaped by the British colonisers.”
“Considering Malaysia was also colonised by the British, somehow the education system was based on the same root. So, for BENL students to access that information while also understanding its application to our education system, that is not something that you can get easily,” she added.
At the end of the programme, a Question and Answer (Q&A) session was held between Professor Dr Sutapa and the students for deeper insights into English education in colonial India. Associate Professor Dr Aishah, a lecturer from DELL, was given the honour of presenting the token of appreciation to Professor Dr Sutapa.
Appreciation ceremony. From the left, Prof Dr Sutapa and Assoc Prof Dr Aishah | Credit: BENL Gallery
Photography session | Credit: BENL Gallery
The programme ended earlier than the allocated time, with a photography session capturing the smiles of the invited speaker, the students and the lecturers.***
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