Aligarh: The 15th International Conference of the Indian School Psychology Association (InSPA) began here Saturday at the University Polytechnic Auditorium, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Jointly organised by InSPA and the Department of Psychology, AMU, the three-day conference on the theme “School Psychology: Empowering Children with Life Skills” convened eminent academicians, researchers, psychologists, and practitioners from India and abroad to deliberate on pressing issues in child development, education, and mental health.
The Conference Souvenir was released by Prof. Naima Khatoon, Vice Chancellor, AMU. In her presidential address, Prof. Khatoon reaffirmed AMU’s dedication to advancing mental health awareness, inclusivity, and child empowerment. “Education must transcend rote learning and focus on emotional and psychological well-being. At AMU, we are committed to nurturing compassionate, confident, and capable individuals through initiatives that integrate mental health and value-based education,” she stated.
Prof. Panch Ramalingam, President, InSPA, in his address, emphasised the association’s mission to promote inclusive and equitable psychological practices. “Our focus is to create a generation of educators and psychologists who understand children’s needs beyond academics and empowering them to lead meaningful lives,” he said.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Habib Ahmad, an illustrious alumnus of AMU, who reflected on the rapidly evolving educational landscape. “In today’s dynamic world, children face challenges far more complex than ever before. The responsibility of educators and psychologists is to guide them to adapt, innovate, and remain emotionally balanced,” he remarked. He also commended the Department of Psychology, AMU, describing it as one of the four pioneering departments in the discipline established nearly a century ago.
Prof. Zokaitluangi, Vice President, InSPA, reflected on the growing international collaborations in the field and stressed on expanding cross-border learning platforms for educators and mental health professionals.
Sharing his insights, Prof. Ikram Hussain, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, AMU, highlighted the significance of an interdisciplinary approach to school psychology. “Psychology as a discipline has evolved at AMU with strong intersections across education, sociology, and health sciences.
In his Special Address, Prof. Mehraj Uddin Mir, Former Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, highlighted the growing psychological needs of youth in the region and across the country. “School psychology must be contextually rooted and socially responsive. We must strengthen mental health awareness and build support systems in schools that are sensitive to local realities,” he said.
International delegates Dr. Bahman Kord (Iran) and Dr. Wael M. F. Abuhasan (Palestine) stressed the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and collaborative learning in advancing global school psychology practices.
In his welcome address, Prof. Shah Alam, Organizing Secretary and Chairperson, Department of Psychology, emphasized the vital role of school psychology in promoting resilience, emotional intelligence, and coping skills in children. Highlighting challenges posed by excessive screen time and social media exposure, he stated, “This conference aims not just to discuss but to act – strengthening the ecosystem that nurtures holistic child development. School psychologists must be key facilitators of life skills education in every classroom.”
The inaugural function also witnessed the presentation of InSPA Awards 2025, recognising excellence in research, teaching, and leadership across 17 categories, including the Young Scientist Award, Educational Excellence Award, International Leadership Award, and the Prof. G.P. Thakur Memorial Award.
The day continued with four parallel technical sessions, featuring 35 paper presentations on mental health promotion, emotional intelligence, AI in education, inclusive schooling, and psychosocial interventions. The plenary session, chaired by Dr. Kranti K. Srivastava and G. Venkatesh Kumar, stressed the importance of “Next Generation Education” integrating technology and personalized learning.
The program was jointly conducted by Kaaminah Beigh and Sheeza Jamshed, who steered the event with poise and professionalism. Dr. Heena Parveen, Local Coordinator, proposed the Vote of Thanks.
