Dr. Banani Basistha, an IoE Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, specializing in Indian Psychology at the University of Hyderabad, along with Prof. JSR Prasad, presented a joint research paper titled “Understanding VIA Character Strengths through Moral Education: Integrating Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into School Curricula” at the 6th APSPA International Conference 2024. This esteemed conference, organized by the Asia Pacific School Psychology Association (APSPA), was held from November 28 to November 30, 2024, at Assumption University of Thailand (AU)’s Suvarnabhumi Campus in Bangkok.
The research underscored the transformative role of IKS-based moral education in shaping a generation imbued with empathy, resilience, and a strong ethical foundation. It explored how ancient Indian scriptures, including the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and Upanishads, contribute to holistic development by fostering intellectual, emotional, and ethical growth, enhancing character strengths aligned with the VIA model, and embedding ethical values from ancient wisdom into contemporary educational frameworks. The Values in Action (VIA) Model identifies 24-character strengths that contribute to well-being and positive functioning. This collaborative research not only highlighted the richness of ancient Indian knowledge but also fostered cross-cultural dialogue on moral development. This participation further strengthens the collaboration between Indian and global educational frameworks, paving the way for enriching children’s learning experiences worldwide. She has a PhD in psychology and currently is engaged in authoring a book on Indian psychology along with her mentor.
Dr. Banani Basistha gratefully acknowledges the Institution of Eminence (IoE), University of Hyderabad for generously funding her participation in the conference.