Garhwal Post Bureau
Ranikhet, 16 Jul: An international online lecture series bringing together leading scientists and scholars from Australia, the United States and Europe to explore the frontiers of quantum physics, consciousness, neuroscience, philosophy and artificial intelligence will be held from 8 to 15 August 2026.
The programme, “Quanta, Mind & Agency”, is being organised by the QFOL Research Group, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata, as part of the Institute’s Golden Jubilee (50 Years) celebrations. Government PG College, Ranikhet, has joined the initiative as the Knowledge Partner, facilitating broader participation by students, researchers and educators from the rural and hilly regions of Uttarakhand.
The lecture series will feature internationally recognised scholars whose work has contributed significantly to contemporary debates on quantum theory, information, consciousness and the philosophy of science. The speakers include Dr Eric Cavalcanti (Griffith University, Australia), Dr Bob Doyle (Harvard University, USA), Dr Emily Adlam (Chapman University, USA), and Prof Markus P Müller (Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Austria).
Across eight days, the programme will examine themes including Uncertainty, Entanglement & Free Will, Subjectivity in Physics, Quantum Information & Consciousness, Brain, Mind and Quantum Physics, and Information, Intention and Agency. The organisers say the discussions are intended to encourage evidence-based interdisciplinary dialogue on questions increasingly shaping research in the physical sciences, cognitive science, philosophy and artificial intelligence.
The programme is open to students, researchers, educators and members of the public. In addition to keynote lectures, it will include interdisciplinary discussions and interactive question-and-answer sessions, while participants attending the programme regularly will receive digital certificates.
The collaboration reflects a broader effort to make internationally significant scientific programmes accessible to learners beyond major metropolitan centres. Through its participation as Knowledge Partner, Government PG College, Ranikhet is extending the opportunity to educational institutions across rural and mountainous regions of Uttarakhand, where access to global academic interactions is often limited by geography.
The initiative is being undertaken under the leadership of Prof Pushpesh Pande, Principal, Government PG College, Ranikhet. Academic coordination is being facilitated by Dr Bharat Pandey, Coordinator, Science Popularisation Cell, Government PG College, Ranikhet, who has been actively developing national and international collaborations aimed at strengthening science outreach and interdisciplinary education across the state.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr Bharat Pandey said that Prof Pushpesh Pande has consistently emphasised that students from rural and hilly regions should have the same opportunity to engage with internationally recognised scientists and contemporary scientific debates as students studying in larger academic centres. He said the partnership reflects the college’s commitment to making high-quality academic engagement more inclusive and accessible.
Dr Pandey added that the Science Popularisation Cell has been working to build sustained partnerships with national and international organisations to promote scientific literacy and interdisciplinary learning. He said that by connecting students and educators from rural Uttarakhand with leading global experts, the initiative seeks to encourage scientific curiosity, critical thinking and greater participation in international academic dialogue.
