18th October, 1920. It has been deemed university since 1963
Extension
Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan
Introduction
Mahatma Gandhi established Gujarat Vidyapith in 1920, preparing a generation of dedicated, sincere, fearless, and honest students who contributed to a de-colonial, self-sufficient, nonviolent, and egalitarian nation. The core elements that drive knowledge creation at Gujarat Vidyapith are education, research, and extension.
Established in 1992 by the Gujarat Vidyapith Mandal, the ‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ uniquely embodies Gandhian values. It functions as a think tank dedicated to promoting sustainability and equity, which aligns with the principles of its founder, Mahatma Gandhi.
Vision
The ‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ is committed to generating new knowledge through cutting-edge research and extension programs, in line with Gandhian principles, to support academic development and foster intellectual inquiry for equitable and sustainable development.
Mission
The core mission of ‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ is to contribute to knowledge through its research and extension programs, focusing on horizontal development, distributive justice, harmony, sustainability, alternative economic systems, and contemporary challenges in local economies.
Objectives
- To promote social equity and sustainable development through innovative research and expand knowledge.
- To make a bridge to knowledge research between the state, industry, and society to foster inclusive, sustainable development of the country.
- To provide a consultancy.
- To encourage cooperation and consulting to foster partnerships with other universities and reputable research groups and to introduce interdisciplinary research.
- To develop strategies for effectively communicating research findings to policymakers and the public to achieve equity and sustainable development.
- Published policy-level reports, books, monographs, and journals and organized seminars and workshops.
SAMATA ANE VIKAS SANSTHAN: FUNCTIONS
- Institutional Research
- Collaborative Research
- Consultancy
- Extension Activity
SAMATA ANE VIKAS SANSTHAN: BRIEF HISTORY
Initially, ‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ was primarily focused on institute-related activities, such as organizing seminars and publishing research papers. However, under the leadership of Dr. R.B.Lal, Prof. Kanubhai Nayak, Prof Rohit Desai, and Prof Vidyut Joshi, the institute underwent a significant transformation, expanding its scope to undertake projects from various government and public trusts, marking a pivotal shift in its operations.
A significant project during this period was a partnership with KPMG, focusing on the earthquake impact assessment in 20,000 households of Kutch, Gujarat. The project was assigned to Prof. Rohit Desai during 2005-06.
After a period of inactivity, it was revived in 2015 when Dr. Chandrakant Upadhyay, the retired Director of the Tribal Research and Training Center, was appointed as the Honorary Director of the Institute for Equity and Development. Under Dr. Upadhyaya's guidance, the institute started working on the Adivasi Gazetteer and the Dahod District Gazetteer. After Dr. Upadhyaya went abroad, Dr. Rajendra Khimani continued these efforts.
The institute's trajectory was notably altered when Dr. Vidyut Joshi, a renowned sociologist, was appointed the Honorary Director in 2020. From 2024 onwards, the ‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ is achieving heights under the auspicious leadership of Dr. Harshad Patel, Honorable Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith, and functional under the directorship of Prof. Manjula Laxman Dabhi for expansion of institutional activities.
1. Prof. Surendra Patel
Prof. Surendra Patel began his professional career as an economics educator in India and joined the UN in New York in 1949. In 1966, he joined the UN Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva, where he directed the Technology Division and initiated several reforms to reshape international economic relations. Prof. Patel’s extensive publications in development economics include The India We Want (1996) and The Indian Economy Towards the Twenty-First Century (1993).
2. Prof. Rohit Desai
Prof. Desai, widely recognized as a Professor of Economics at Sardar Patel Institute of Social and Economic Research in Ahmedabad spearheaded numerous socially impactful projects as the Director of ‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’.
3. Prof. Vidyut Joshi
An eminent sociologist, Prof. Joshi had a distinguished career marked by the initiation of significant social research projects. His administrative roles, including Vice Chancellor of Bhavnagar University and Director at the Chimanbhai Patel Institute of Management and Research, reflect his excellence. Under his guidance, ‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ has seen a notable expansion in research and outreach activities.
SAMATA ANE VIKAS SANSTHAN: IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENTS
Inter-disciplinary Research Project on ExistentialHarmony with IASE University, Gandhi Vidhya Vihar, Sardarshahar, Rajasthan.
Under the chair of Dr. Vidyut Joshi, 7 faculties have completed seven different projects.
Study on Empowerment of Gram Panchayats-Gujarat State Third Finance Commission, Gandhinagar
Dr. Bharat Gariwala, back then the Chairman of Finance Commission of Gujarat consulted the director of ‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ and assigned a project to Gujarat Vidyapith entitled “Financial status of Gujarat Gram Panchayats”.
Further, Dr. Chandrakant Upadhyay took on the role of Director, overseeing the completion of several other important projects.
- Study and training on skills among youth in villages of Bawla and Sanand taluka of Ahmedabad district
- Study and training on skills among youth in villages of Padra and Dabhoi taluka of Vadodara district
- Monograph of the Konkana Community of Scheduled Tribes
- Monograph of the Kotwadia of Scheduled Tribes.
BOOKS PUBLISHED UNDER THE PROJECT- “GANDHIAN HUMANISM IN 21ST CENTURY” BY GUJARAT VIDYAPITH & RAWAT PUBLICATION
| Sr. No. | Name of Faculty | Name of Book |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Prof. Vidyut Joshi | Gandhian Humanism in Praxis |
| 02 | Prof. Prem Anand Mishra | Gandhi in Contemporary Context |
| 03 | Prof. Manjula Laxman | Poverty Less Society |
| 04 | Dr. Neepa Shah | Artificial Intelligence and Social Ethics |
| 05 | Prof. Munibhai Mehta | Science, Spirituality and Sustainable Development: Gandhian Approach |
| 06 | Dr. Shetal Barodiya | Gandhian Approach to Human Resource Management |
| 07 | Dr. Himani Baxi | Fiscal Decentralization: A Gandhian Perspective |
| 08 | Prof. Punita Harne | Understanding the Content of Mass Media: Communication for Harmonious World Order |
‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’, Gujarat Vidyapith, is an independent research institute committed to conduct collaborative research with national and international government departments, educational organizations, research institutions, and industrial sectors, with the vision of strengthening economic development in the country.
‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ offers platform for collaborating with leading organizations for pursuing research projects and carrying out program evaluation studies including survey analysis focussing in the arena of Rural and Urban Development, Industrial Innovations, Sustainable Development, Environmental Conservation, Climate Change, Educational Reforms, Biotechnology, Food Security, Seed Technology, Forest Conservation, Green Energy Production, Water Resource Management, Agricultural Development, Women and Child Development, Inclusive Development, Marginal Group Challenges, Social Justice and Empowerment, Finance, Skill Development, Nutrition, Family Welfare, Health Care Technology and many more. ‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ has a University-Industry Interaction Cell that regularly assists in establishing and managing a link between the University and Industry.
‘Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan’ provides various services involving assessment, consultancy, planning and designing research projects, and extension activities associated with corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Our Team
Dr. Manjula Laxman Dabhi
Director,
Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan
Gujarat Vidyapith
Dr. Flora Shah
Research Officer,
Samata Ane Vikas Sansthan
Gujarat Vidyapith
Contact Us
Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad
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Email:
- eds@gujaratvidyapith.org,
samtavikas@gujaratvidyapith.org
Telephone: - 079-40016200, 079-40016397
