20 May - 26 May 2023

Even with the start of summer break for students, Krea University remains abuzz with admission activities. In anticipation of welcoming a new cohort, we are excited to introduce Ask Krea, an exclusive virtual live help desk designed to address the concerns and queries of aspiring students. Continuing our commitment to academic excellence, the School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences (SIAS) proudly unveiled its latest addition – a PhD programme.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Krea learning experience is the diverse community of fellow travellers you encounter on this educational journey. We have captured the essence of this collaborative spirit in a captivating video, showcasing how together, we co-create a magnificent story.

In our ongoing commitment to fostering collaborations, the University has established the Krea - IFMR Research Centres Coordination Cell, to strengthen ties with its affiliated Research Centres. Dr Bharath Sundaram, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at SIAS will serve as the Faculty Director of this Cell, facilitating enhanced research initiatives and partnerships. Besides all this, there’s some exciting news as Krea University has become a nodal centre for ISRO's Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) programme. Stay tuned for more information in our coming editions.

We’re 11 editions down. Krea, this Week has been a dynamic work in progress and, together, we've been on an enriching journey toward bringing the best of Kreaverse. If you've got any noteworthy achievements, informative lectures, or interesting events that you'd like to share with the Krea community, send us a mail at all.commsteam@krea.edu.in

This week we shine the spotlight on Samarthan, the social service committee of IFMR GSB. 

Samarthan envisions a society where the underprivileged sections of society have access to equal opportunities and resources to achieve their full potential and lead a life of dignity. The committee organises events throughout the year, one of them being its flagship event  – Lakshmi Bal Mahotsav. As Samarthan’s motto says, taking small steps makes a big difference. Samarthan also happens to be the oldest committee at IFMR GSB.

On Krea’s social media platforms, in the coming week, we will give you a glimpse of the significant work done by Samarthan over the recent months.

A weekly series showcasing students and their stories

On 12 – 14 May, the students of the ARTS228 Music from Mud Pottery Course, SIAS showcased their impressive collection of clay musical instruments at the Atrium of Krea University’s campus. The event drew a diverse crowd of faculty, students, and research fellows, all eager to witness the intricacies of the instruments. From rattles, pellet bells and ocarinas to udu drums, marimbas and panpipes, the display featured a range of aerophones and idiophones, each with its unique sound and design.
Read the article to know more

Krea is keen to strengthen collaborations with its affiliated Research Centres, to enhance its contributions to research, education, and society. As a first step, the University has set up the Krea - IFMR Research Centres Coordination Cell to identify possibilities for collaborations on research and consultancy, better utilisation of resources, internship opportunities, exchange programmes, joint fundraising, research workshops, etc. The Cell will oversee suitable program implementations to achieve these goals. Dr Bharath Sundaram, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, SIAS will be the Faculty Director of the Coordination Cell for three years beginning 1 June.  

Krea University has become a nodal centre for ISRO's Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) programme. The training modules will comprise various verticals of space science and technology — Astronomy, Astrobiology, Planetary Science, Heliophysics, Atmospheric Science, Microgravity related studies, and Space Technology. In addition to these, there will be sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities. The sessions are for post-graduate students and final-year undergraduate students of physical sciences (Physics and Chemistry) and technology. Students majoring in other fields with good exposure to Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, at 10+2 level may also be considered. The application details and the dates for the free virtual training sessions will be announced soon. Watch this space for more details.

The School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences (SIAS) at Krea University unveiled its latest addition last week, a cutting-edge PhD programme. This programme is designed to embody the University's mission of equipping humanity for an ever-changing world. By emphasising experiential learning, it fosters a dynamic environment where scholars actively interact with their surroundings, continuously enriching their understanding.

Watch Prof Sivakumar Srinivasan, Dean of Research, Krea University explain more

On 5 April, Yuvan Aves, naturalist, writer, and educator delivered a talk at Krea University titled Advocacy, Education and Citizen science along the Chennai coast. This talk was part of the Krea Environmental Studies Talk series.

Chennai's/North Tamil Nadu's identity is the coast and wetlands. Consciously or unconsciously, every aspect of our lives in this geography is shaped by this nature. Yuvan Aves believes there comes a time when a city begins to collapse under its own weight when it forgets its own ecological and sociological bedrock. In this talk, he shared stories from his practice as an activist and nature educator, drawing from some recent campaigns for coastal landscapes and their outcomes/shortcomings, his work with children of fisher communities evolving a new pedagogy of learning, and citizen science initiatives which have protected places, species, and people.
Click to watch the full video

This latest video series deep dives into the unique academic approach of different disciplines at Krea University

In this episode of Decoding Disciplines – The Krea Way, Dr Vidya Bharathi Rajkumar, Assistant Professor of Economics, SIAS discusses the philosophy and pedagogy of the Economics stream at Krea University. As a Liberal Education University, Krea emphasises Interwoven Learning and critical thinking. With the Economics stream, the curriculum is designed to help students understand how economic principles are applicable across various domains, while also encouraging critical thinking, analysis of complex data and communication of their ideas effectively.

Tune in! Watch the video here

Five counties, 21 states and 60 cities. One of the most unique attributes of the Krea learning experience is the co-travellers you meet on this journey. Peers from across the globe, together in this shared experience, of pursuing passions, forging friendships, and celebrating the ethos of multiculturalism, multilingualism, and diversity of thoughts and actions. Krea is a community of young individuals, a collective formed from across social brackets, communities, and geographies, weaving a world that goes beyond academics.

Click to watch the video and find out how they co-create a splendid story together.

Thank you, Sarthak Jaiswal, SIAS for the frames of how nature subtly embraces the many shades of Summer