Aligarh : The three-day 15th International Conference of the Indian School Psychology Association (InSPA), jointly organized by the Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and InSPA, concluded on a note of gratitude, reflection, and renewed commitment to advancing the field of school psychology.
Day Two Highlights: Children’s Assembly, Academic Deliberations, and Cultural Evening; Day Two of the conference began with a lively Children’s Assembly, conducted by Prof. Mohammad Abid Siddiqui from the Department of Education, AMU, and skillfully hosted by Alizeh Lalpuri. The event brought together children from Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh City School, ABK High School, AMU City Girls High School, and STS School (Minto Circle). The assembly highlighted educational messages rooted in school psychology, focusing on emotional well-being, empathy, and positive school environments.
Following the assembly, twelve technical sessions were organized across the Faculty of Social Sciences, providing a platform for participants to exchange ideas and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue. A Poster Presentation on the theme “School Psychology: Empowering Children with Life Skills” showcased innovative ideas and research on children’s social competence, emotional growth, and resilience.
The day concluded with a vibrant Cultural Evening at the Kennedy Auditorium, organized by the Cultural Education Centre (CEC). Performances by the Hindustani, Western, and Fusion Music Clubs captivated the audience with classical, semi-classical, and contemporary renditions. Delegates and guests—many visiting AMU for the first time—praised the students’ artistry and the University’s cultural richness. The event concluded with a standing ovation, marking it as one of the conference’s most memorable moments.
The third and the final day opened with four parallel technical sessions and a special online session chaired by Prof. Masoom Raza, with Dr. Eisha Rahman as session in-charge and Prof. Rashid Nehal as guest speaker. In total, the conference witnessed 177 paper presentations across 21 sessions, offering insights into innovative research, inclusive education, and child development.
The Valedictory Function, held at the University Polytechnic Auditorium, brought together distinguished dignitaries, scholars, and delegates from India and abroad. The session, anchored by Ms. Sheeza Shoeb and Ms. Sheeza Jamshed, began with a warm welcome and a reflection on the conference’s accomplishments.
The event was presided over by Prof. Mohammad Gulrez, Former Vice Chancellor, AMU, and attended by eminent guests including Prof. Gurmeet Singh, Former Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University; Prof. Peter Odera, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya; and Prof. Shah Alam, Chairman, Department of Psychology, AMU, and Organizing Secretary. Each dignitary was felicitated for their academic contributions.
In his welcome address, Prof. Shah Alam expressed heartfelt appreciation to all delegates, collaborators, and volunteers for making the conference a success. He emphasized that the event fulfilled its mission of fostering intellectual dialogue, interdisciplinary learning, and professional cooperation.
Global Voices on School Psychology and Education; Prof. Wael Mustafa Abuhasan, Professor of Psychology at the Arab American University, Palestine, and an alumnus of AMU, highlighted the global relevance of school psychology in empowering educators and learners alike.
Dr. Tahseen Nazir, Assistant Professor at Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, stressed the importance of inclusive learning environments that nurture empathy and belongingness.
Dr. Gahad G.I. Hamed, Professor of Sociology at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, expressed admiration for AMU’s hospitality and commitment to academic excellence.
Prof. Peter Odera, from Kenya, lauded AMU and InSPA for fostering cross-continental academic collaboration, while Prof. Gurmeet Singh, Former Vice Chancellor of Pondicherry University, underscored the importance of imparting lessons in children’s mother tongues and recognizing psychology’s vital role in educational reform.
Delivering the Valedictory Address, Prof. Mohammad Gulrez reflected on the interdisciplinary significance of school psychology and its potential to address the evolving needs of children and educators. He commended the conference for advancing meaningful dialogue between psychology and education and recognized AMU’s role as a global center of learning and collaboration.
Following the addresses, Dr. Nasheed Imtiaz presented the Scientific Report, summarizing the academic discussions, research findings, and key recommendations of the three-day event. Dr. Heena Parveen, Local Coordinator of the Conference, extended a vote of thanks to the dignitaries, faculty, students, and organizing teams from both the Department of Psychology and the University Polytechnic.
The 15th International InSPA Conference reaffirmed AMU’s legacy of promoting psychological scholarship and global collaboration in education and mental health. Over three days, it blended academic deliberation, children’s activities, and cultural vibrancy—strengthening the shared mission of nurturing emotionally resilient and empathetic learners. The valedictory session thus marked not an end but a reaffirmation of AMU’s and InSPA’s commitment to advancing school psychology through education, empathy, and international cooperation.