The Bangalore University’s Department of Psychology, which was established in 1974, is celebrating its 50th anniversary on February 28 and March 1. To mark the occasion, the Department is set to launch its newly formed Psychology Alumni Association, Jnana Bharathi, Bangalore University (PAA-JBU). Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao will preside over the celebrations.
The department will also felicitate teaching and non-teaching staff who have served at the department over the years, release a book on the history of the Department, and launch a website dedicated to the department. The event will also host a discussion on “Psychology in the Future: Breakthroughs, Challenges, and Opportunities”.
Fifty years ago, the department was launched with two specialisations — Clinical Psychology and Industrial Psychology, led by Prof. N.C.S. Rao, the first chairperson of the Department. Today, the department offers more than seven courses.
Speaking to The Hindu, Sreenivas M., an alumnus who has been associated with the Department since 1993 and the current Head of the Department of Psychology, said more than 2,000 postgraduate students have graduated from the department over the years.
“Most of the alumni will join the celebration and will share their experiences learning and working with the department. Retired Prof. Indira Jai Prakash, who is known for her work on feminine psychology, adolescent girls and old-age struggles, will be felicitated during the event along with Mohan Kumar, Sudha Bogle, H. S. Ashok and others,” he said.
Recounting his association with the Department, Dr. Sreenivas said the department felt like a mini version of India, and he had the opportunity to learn and work with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Similarly, Brinda Muniyappa, an alumna and a guest faculty at the department, said the department had grown with them over these years. “When we go out and tell someone we are alumni of this University, we tend to stand out. Over the years, the department has always catered to those in the community who thought getting a basic education would also be difficult for them. Our counselling and psychology departments have constantly been doing outreach programmes for society and giving life skill training to schools and colleges,” she said.
