ISA signs MoU with FLAME University to boost advanced sociological research

FLAME University recently hosted the 6th Council of National Associations Conference of the International Sociological Association, marking the first time the global event was held in India.

Delegates from 40 countries participated, with support from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The ISA, founded under UNESCO in 1949, promotes international collaboration in sociological research and scholarship.

The conference revolved around the theme “Building Resilient Sociologies: Voices, Visions, and Ventures,” focusing on how the field can adapt to ongoing political, social, economic, and technological transformations.

FLAME University formalized a Memorandum of Understanding with ISA to facilitate future academic partnerships and collaborative programs.

Participants engaged in discussions on how national sociological associations tackle contemporary challenges, emerging perspectives shaping the discipline, and strategies to strengthen international scholarly networks.

The program featured paper presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, providing a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and intellectual exchange.

Prof Dishan Kamdar, Vice-Chancellor of FLAME University, said, “Welcoming colleagues from around the world to FLAME University has been an honor. This conference highlighted the value of international scholarly dialogue in addressing contemporary issues. At FLAME, we remain committed to fostering academic exchange and interdisciplinary engagement.”

“This is the first time that the International Sociological Association has held a conference in India. The leaders of the national associations brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise that they were eager to share with their peers and local sociologists,” said Prof Bandana Purkayastha, Vice President of the ISA Council of National Associations.

“Our commitment to truly open global scholarly exchanges is strengthened through conferences for our individual members and unique conferences such as this one with the representatives of scholarly associations. We are very grateful to FLAME University for hosting us as we reflect on our strengths and patterns of resilience,” added Purkayastha.

Prof Mayurakshi Chaudhuri, Head of the Department of Social Sciences at FLAME University and Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, said, “It was an honor to host the ISA Council of National Associations Conference at FLAME University. This provided an exceptionally important and timely platform for scholars from around the world to come together and deliberate on resilience.”

“The conference also ushered sociological dialogues around digital technologies and artificial intelligence, an unavoidable condition of our contemporary life and lifestyles,” Chaudhuri added.

The conference positioned FLAME University as a hub for global sociological dialogue, fostering collaboration, interdisciplinary learning, and innovative thinking in response to the rapidly changing social landscape.