Concept Note
Gender is often understood through fixed categories, especially through the heteronormative structure of binary opposites. However, lived experiences frequently move beyond these limited frames. “Beyond the Binary” is a gender sensitization workshop that creates space to reflect on how gender is shaped by social norms, everyday practices, and personal identities. This workshop seeks not merely to “sensitize,” but to unsettle— displace the comfort of fixed categories and open a space for thinking gender as lived, performed, negotiated, and at times, incoherent. It aims to build awareness about how rigid definitions can exclude, and how more flexible understandings can foster empathy and equality. Moving across personal narratives, social structures, and institutional practices, it shall attend to the ways in which norms are reiterated, resisted, and reimagined. The organizers offer a shared space of dialogue where participants are invited to listen, to question, and perhaps, to encounter gender not as a stable identity, but as an ongoing, unfinished conversation.
Archives: Event
Mental Health Workshop by Department of Sociology
Concept Note
Mental health has increasingly emerged as a critical area of concern within contemporary society, particularly in academic spaces where students and educators negotiate multiple forms of pressure, uncertainty, and transition. Rather than viewing mental health solely through a clinical or individualistic lens, this workshop seeks to situate it within broader social, cultural, and institutional contexts. It aims to open up a space for reflection on how experiences of stress, anxiety, alienation, and emotional vulnerability are shaped by structural conditions and everyday social interactions. The workshop is designed as an interactive and dialogic platform that encourages participants to engage with mental health not as a problem to be “fixed,” but as an ongoing process of understanding the self in relation to others and the world. It will focus on fostering awareness, reducing stigma, and cultivating empathetic modes of listening and engagement. Through guided discussions, reflective exercises, and facilitator-led sessions, participants will be invited to explore the textures of their lived experiences and develop more nuanced ways of responding to them.
Workshop on Self-defense by Department of Sociology
Concept note
This self-defense workshop is conceived as a space for developing awareness, confidence, and practical skills necessary to navigate everyday vulnerabilities. Rather than framing self-defense as an act of aggression or confrontation, the workshop approaches it as a form of embodied knowledge. In contemporary urban contexts, experiences of insecurity are often unevenly distributed across gender and social locations. Recognizing this, the workshop seeks to create an environment where participants can engage with questions of safety not only at the level of physical technique but also through reflection on social dynamics, spatial awareness, and situational judgment. Organized by the Department of Sociology, WBSU, in collaboration with IQAC, this initiative situates self-defense within a broader pedagogical framework—linking bodily practice with critical awareness. It aims to encourage participants to think about safety as both a personal and collective concern.
The Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of West Bengal State University, Professor Debabrata Mitra at SPECIAL CAMP PROGRAMME 2025-26, organized by NSS Units
NSS Special Camp,2025-26
Day-1
The NSS special camp organised by the NSS units of West Bengal State University has been inaugurated by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Debabrata Mitra on 7th April,2026, in the presence of Deans, Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, Prof. Chandrava Chakraborty, Director, IQAC and University Librarian Dr. Sushanta Banerjee.
Hon’ble Vice Chancellor encouraged NSS volunteers with a special address. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor released the WBSU NSS Newsletter 2025-2026 from the programme. Prof. Chandrava Chakraborty, Director, IQAC, West Bengal State University and Prof. Silanjan Bhattacharya, Dean, Faculty of Science, WBSU, delivered special addresses. After the inauguration, NSS volunteers took the pledge. Dr. Ajit Mondal, Programme Coordinator at West Bengal State University, also delivered a special address. He described the importance and significance of the NSS special camp.
Prof. Pranam Dhar, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, conducted the second session on the roles and responsibilities of Programme Officers and NSS volunteers. He briefly described the contribution of these roles to community development.
Notification for Special Lecture Organized by the Department of Philosophy
Workshop on Gender Sensitisation by the Varta Trust Team
Date: March 23, 2026
Organized by: Department of Psychology, West Bengal State University
Conducted by: The Varta Trust
Department of Psychology, West Bengal State University organised a comprehensive workshop
on "Gender Sensitisation" for the students, facilitated by the "Varta Trust". Varta Trust is a non-
profit organization that promotes dialogue on gender and sexuality through publishing, research,
advocacy, training, and community services. Six members from their team were present and 58
students participated in this workshop. The programme was initiated with the primary objective
of fostering a more inclusive and empathetic campus environment. Throughout the seminar,
ingrained societal stereotypes were critically analyzed, and the nuances of the gender spectrum
were explored through a psychological lens.
The students were asked to imagine their gender and draw it on a paper as the facilitators
encouraged them to view gender objectively. The concept of intersectionality was profoundly
discussed, highlighting how overlapping social identities, such as class and race, also had the
ability to create experiences of discrimination. The discourse was facilitated by expert speakers
and advocates like Pawan Dhall, Sudipta Chakraborty and young trans queer leaders of the trust
focusing on actionable insights for promoting equity.
Furthermore, a safe space was established where participants were encouraged to question their
own perspectives without fear of judgment. The interactive nature of the workshop ensured that
participants were not merely passive recipients of information but were empowered to become
proactive allies.
Microbiology Deptt. is organising a one day National Seminar in collaboration with Microbiological Society of India on “Challenges in Microbiology: Detection, Prevention and Beneficial Utilisation.”
Microbiology Deptt. is organising a one day National Seminar in collaboration with Microbiological Society of India on “Challenges in Microbiology: Detection, Prevention and Beneficial Utilisation.”
Date and Time – 10th April 2026 from 10.30 am to 5 pm.
Venue- Seminar room 218 1st Floor, Academic Block
Brief report : Snippets of the National Seminar on “Challenges in Microbiology: Detection Prevention and Beneficial Utilisation”.
The seminar was inaugurated by the honourable Vice Chancellor of WBSU and the occasion was graced by the presence of respected dignitaries from MBSI and West Bengal State University. The speakers Prof. Samir Patra from NIT, Rourkela and Prof. Sukhendu Mandal from Calcutta University gave an insightful talk on epigenetics and AMR. This followed by poster presentation from students and research scholars who had the privilege of sharing their work with experienced experts in the field of microbiology. The seminar provided a platform to expand our knowledge in biology and celebrate the remarkable world of microorganisms.
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The Department of Anthropology, West Bengal State University Organizes National Seminar on “Recent Trends in Anthropological Research: Perspectives from Biological, Archaeological and Socio Cultural Domains.”
Honorable Vice-Chancellor Prof. Debabrata Mitra Inaugurated the National Seminar on “Recent Trends in Anthropological Research: Perspectives from Biological, Archaeological and Socio Cultural Domains.”, organized by the Department of Anthropology, West Bengal State University.
Centre for Studies in Gender, Culture and Media, West Bengal State University Celebrates International Women’s Month
Libraries as Engines of Knowledge, Engagement, Empowerment and Employability among Gen-Z
Seminar Report: Day 1.
THE HON’BLE VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE WEST BENGAL STATE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR DEBABRATA MITRA, INAUGURATED THE TWO-DAY NATIONAL SEMINAR ON “LIBRARIES AS ENGINES OF KNOWLEDGE, ENGAGEMENT, EMPOWERMENT, AND EMPLOYABILITY OF GEN Z”
The Honorable Vice-Chancellor of West Bengal State University, Professor Debabrata Mitra, inaugurated a two-day National Seminar organized by the Central Library in collaboration with 15 affiliated colleges of the university.
The seminar stood out as a unique blend of a book fair and cultural evenings, creating a vibrant platform that combined academic engagement with cultural expression. In his inaugural address, Professor Mitra emphasized the significance of libraries for Generation Z and appreciated the innovative integration of education and culture in the seminar.
A key highlight of the event was the panel discussion titled “Maha Vidyan Sabha,” where more than nine college principals shared their perspectives and expectations from librarians in the evolving academic landscape.
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of delegates and speakers from across India. Over 50 research papers were submitted and are scheduled for presentation during the two-day event. Additionally, more than 30 publication houses participated in the book fair, showcasing a wide range of academic resources.
The cultural segment added further vibrancy to the event, with the Bengali band Saptasur captivating the audience and energizing them with their melodious performance.
