Some Achievements of IISR – Past and Present
IISR has been functioning for over 20 years extending its service in the field of science-religion dialogue to various institutions and organizations, particularly universities, colleges, major seminaries and similar institutions of higher education and research, Christian and non-Christian.
- Setting-up Sister Centres: In the past it had helped set up more than 20 sister-centres in various parts of India, belonging to Christian and non-Christian religions, both men and women. Several of them continue to render valuable service in their respective regions, although some of them have become less active.
- International Symposia: Over the years it has organized more than 13 well-attended and highly-appreciated international symposia in different cities of India on cutting-edge themes like the latest developments in cosmology, nanotechnology, neuroscience, etc. In 2019 the theme was “Creation without a Creator: A Critique of Hawking’s Concept of God,” organized in collaboration with St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad. In 2018 the theme was “Recent Developments in the Neurological Sciences and the Problem of the Human Soul,” organized in collaboration with St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. In 2017 the theme was “The Discovery of Gravitational Waves and the Future of Religion and Society,” in collaboration with JDV Pune. Preparations are going on for the 14th international symposium in 2021 on “Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Humanoids and the Future of Humanity,” in collaboration with St. Aloysius College, Mangalore.
- National/Regional/ Local Conferences: During the last 20 years it has organized more than 200 national/regional/ local seminars and conferences in the field of science-religion interfacing. This tradition continues with undiminished enthusiasm and wide support from the participants.
- Cadre of Resource Persons: Over the years it has also built up a cadre of speakers and scholars in the field of science-religion dialogue, who participate regularly in national and international events, both as resource persons and participants. These experts are mostly university/college/major seminary professors/scholars, belonging to Christian and non-Christian religions, both men and women. At present IISR has more than 40 such scholars/resource persons.
- Academic Program – Master’s Program in JDV: With the help of IISR, JDV started a Master of Philosophy Programme in Interfacing Science, Philosophy and Religion (MSPR), the first and only one of its kind in India. This program continues to attract students from various parts of India and abroad.
- IISR Publications: IISR has been publishing regularly books and articles in international and national journals. It co-publishes Omega, Indian Journal of Science and Religion, the only Indian journal in the field of science-religion dialogue. Till recently the Director of IISR was its Editor-in-Chief. To date, IISR has published over 20 books.
- Specialized Science-Religion Library: IISR has helped JDV setup an up-to-date science-religion library, the best in India, with books, periodicals, CDs, etc., to encourage scholars and students to engage in serious research and publication. At present in Delhi also there is a similar library with a collection of up-to-date books, CDs and Videos in the field of science-religion interfacing.
- Television Program: IISR in collaboration with its sister organization ISR (Institute of Science and Religion) Aluva, Kerala, prepared and televised the Television Series, “Light of Truth,” in Shalom TV. First of its kind in India, it was a 30 minute-weekly program and was televised internationally for over 15 months, more than 60 episodes. It was in Malayalam. It is available in YouTube. Now IISR is taking the initiative to have a similar program in English, also to be televised internationally (25 to 30 episodes to be telecast monthly).
- Research and Travel Scholarships: IISR has been encouraging research and study by talented and interested students and scholars through scholarships and other assistance. In the past IISR used to offer travel scholarships to assist those who were invited to present papers at international conferences. At present, because of paucity of funds, it has been kept on hold.
- Collaboration with Likeminded Organizations: In India it regularly collaborates with central governmental agencies like ICPR, private organizations like JDV Centre for Science and Religion, Pune; Institute of Science and Religion (ISR), Aluva, Kerala; Science-Religion Samgam, Goa; Science-Religion Forum, Wayanad, Kerala; Science-Religion Club, Vimala College, Thrissur, etc., in their different programs in science-religion interfacing.
- International Collaboration: Internationally, in the past it collaborated with the Pontifical Council for Culture, Rome, and organized programs. In more recent times it collaborated with the Cardinal Suenens Center at John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, in its program to promote science-literacy among the Catholic clergy and other leaders, particularly in seminaries and other centres of Church leadership formation worldwide. Efforts are afoot now to have similar collaboration with organizations in the Asian front, particularly in Taiwan, South Korea, Nepal and Malaysia.