CfPs: 12th Edition of Graduate Research Meet 2027 | 19-20 January, IIT Guwahati

12th Edition of Graduate Research Meet 2027
Theme: "People, Voices, and Possibilities - Reimagining Knowledge and Inquiry"
Dates: 19-20 January 2027
Organized by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India

Since its inception, GRM has provided a platform for scholars carrying out pioneering research in the field of Humanities and Social Sciences. The GRM team encourages scholars to submit abstracts in the range of 500-800 words containing 3-5 keywords that align with the theme and related sub-topics. 

The last date for submission of abstracts is 27th October 2026, 11:59 PM.

Brochure | Submission of Abstract

About GRM: The disciplines of Humanities and Social Sciences are constantly engaged in exploring how human life and social worlds are shaped, reshaped, and transformed within their specific historical, social, cultural, and material contexts. They offer numerous ways to ask questions, produce knowledge, and make sense of the world we live in by examining the conditions that influence what people can think, say, and do. These conditions open possibilities to reinterpret varied experiences and negotiate change in order to inquire into the circumstances in which knowledge is reimagined to harness the inclusive, equitable and productive voices of all. Within these shifting contexts, new perspectives can emerge, established assumptions can be reconsidered, and intellectual breakthroughs can occur. While conventional frameworks of knowledge production and modes of inquiry continue to offer important conceptual and methodological foundations for research, they are also being challenged by new perspectives, voices, and practices, through and beyond familiar frameworks. Heterodox methods of doing research—acts of thinking, speaking, theorising, and being—are gaining popularity while remaining committed to objectivity and truth. The 12th Edition of the Graduate Research Meet aims to examine these critical junctures, consider alternatives, and explore possibilities within and beyond paradigms. By foregrounding diverse perspectives and voices from the margins, this conference seeks to contribute to the urgent work of imagining and enacting more just and liveable futures. We invite scholars to join this conversation, engage in discussions and deliberations, and take part in an extensive dialogue across the disciplines of Archaeology, Development Studies, Economics, English, History, Linguistics, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

Note: GRM is exclusively for active doctoral scholars; entries from graduate, postgraduate and post-doctoral scholars will be automatically rejected. The GRM team also discourages the use of Artificial Intelligence in the entries; Abstracts found with substantial AI usages will be rejected. Please visit iitg.ac.in/grm for more information.

Call for Papers: Financing MSMEs for Sustainable Growth amid Global Uncertainty

Call for Papers: Financing MSMEs for Sustainable Growth amid Global Uncertainty
Micro, Small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) contribute significantly to employment, innovation, and economic growth globally. However, many MSMEs continue to face financing constraints due to information asymmetry, limited collateral, high transaction costs, and perceived credit risk. These constraints can limit their ability to invest, expand, innovate, and improve their competitiveness (ADB SME Monitor 2025).
Given the bank-centered financial system developed in developing Asia, credit guarantee schemes (CGSs) have become a critical instrument for enhancing MSME access to finance by sharing credit risk between financial institutions and guarantee providers. By facilitating lending to firms that may otherwise struggle to access credit, CGSs can help address financing gaps and support MSME development.
At the same time, MSMEs face growing pressure and increasing opportunities to invest in green technologies, energy efficiency, cleaner production, and climate resilience. Such investments often require substantial upfront investments, while their financial returns may be uncertain or realized over a longer period. This creates an important opportunity to examine how CGSs can evolve beyond their traditional role in facilitating access to finance and contribute to sustainable investment, resilience, and long-term MSME competitiveness (Yoshino, Taghizadeh-Hesary, and Shinozaki 2026).
This edited volume, jointly organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Tokai University Research Institute for Environment and Sustainability (TRIES), brings together academic and policy perspectives on the evolving role of credit guarantee schemes in MSME finance. With a particular focus on financing sustainable and resilient MSMEs, the volume examines how credit guarantee schemes can help address financing constraints while supporting sustainable investment, climate resilience, green transition, and long-term competitiveness. It explores emerging approaches to guarantee design and pricing, credit risk assessment, sustainability-oriented finance, financial innovation, and the use of CGSs to mobilize finance for sustainable and resilient MSMEs.

Tentative Table of Contents (Indicative Only)
Authors are welcome to propose chapters on related topics that align with the overall theme of the volume. Contributions are not limited to the chapters listed below, and proposals addressing emerging issues at the intersection of MSME finance, credit guarantee schemes, and sustainability are strongly encouraged. Economy-specific case studies and comparative cross-economy analyses are also welcome, particularly those that provide practical insights and policy lessons from different institutional and economic contexts in developing Asia and the Pacific.

• Part I. MSME Finance, Credit Guarantees, and Sustainable Development
• MSME Financing Constraints and the Role of Credit Guarantee Schemes
• Credit Guarantee Schemes and Sustainable MSME Finance: Concepts and Emerging Trends
• Credit Guarantees, Financial Inclusion, and Inclusive Sustainable Growth
• Measuring the Financial Health, Sustainability, and Resilience of MSMEs
• Part II. Credit Guarantee Design and Risk-Based Financing
• Optimal Credit Guarantee Fees and Risk-Based Pricing for MSMEs
• Optimal Credit Guarantee Ratios and Risk Sharing
• Sustainability-Adjusted Credit Risk Assessment for MSMEs
• Integrating ESG and Sustainability Indicators into MSME Credit Scoring
• Sustainability-Adjusted Credit Guarantee Pricing and Incentives for Sustainable Investment
• Part III. Green Finance and Sustainable MSME Investment
• Financing MSME Investment in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Credit Guarantees for Cleaner Production, Resource Efficiency, and the Circular Economy
• Financing MSME Climate Adaptation and Resilience
• Green Lending and Sustainable Finance for MSMEs: The Role of Credit Guarantees
• Part IV. Innovation, Institutions, and Global Experiences
• Emerging Models for MSME Risk and Sustainability Assessment: Artificial Intelligence, Alternative Data, and Digital Technologies
• Digitalization, FinTech, and the Transformation of MSME Credit Guarantees
• Public, Private, and Hybrid Credit Guarantee Models for Sustainable MSME Finance
• Green Credit Guarantee Schemes in Developed Economies: Institutional Models, Innovations, and Lessons
• Green Credit Guarantee Schemes in Emerging and Developing Economies: Lessons and Challenges
• The Role of Multilateral Development Banks in Financing Sustainable and Resilient MSMEs
• The Future of Credit Guarantee Schemes: Financing Sustainable, Resilient, and Competitive MSMEs

Submission Guidelines
Researchers, policymakers, practitioners, financial-sector professionals, and development experts are invited to submit an extended abstract in English. The extended abstract should be approximately 500 words and include:

Chapter title

• Author(s)
• Affiliation(s)
• Background and motivation
• Research methodology
• Expected findings
• Policy implications

KEY DATES:

Abstract Submission Deadline:
15 December 2026

Notification of Acceptance:
30 December 2026

Full Chapter Submission:
31 March 2027

SUBMISSION:

Please submit abstracts to: 

• Prof. Farhad Taghizadeh-Hesary, Tokai University, Japan, Email: taghizadeh.hesary.farhad.k@tokai.ac.jp

With copy to:

• Dr. Shigehiro Shinozaki, Asian Development Bank, Email: sshinozaki@adb.org

Email Subject: Book Chapter Submission: Credit Guarantee Schemes and MSME Finance in Asia and the Pacific

REGISTER YOUR SUBMISSION HERE: Register online

UNESCO PRESS Agenda - UNESCO highlights from October to December 2026

UNESCOPRESS Agenda   UNESCO highlights from October to December 2026   Journalists are kindly required to be accredited for each event. Contact: Maria Sanchez Aponte, m.sanchez-aponte@unesco.org, +33145680237   SCIENCES, PRIORITY AFRICA 2 October, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) Social Transformation Week - Focus on Africa Africa is one of UNESCO’s Global Priorities and will be the special focus of the final day of Social Transformations Week. The event will include discussions with contributors to the latest volumes of UNESCO’s General History of Africa, the launch of a new policy report on social investment and demographic change, and the screening of a documentary on the Mali Empire from the African Empires series, introduced by producer Sébastien Onomo of Special Touch Studios. Learn more.   EDUCATION 5 October, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) World Teachers’ Day 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the Global Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. On this occasion, UNESCO will present new data on the teaching profession and an analysis of its trends. The celebration, co-convened by UNESCO, the International Labour Organization, UNICEF and Education International, is expected to be opened by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, and will bring together teachers, policymakers, and education partners from around the world. The event will include high-level discussions on protecting and advancing the status of teachers, as well as the award ceremony for the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development, supported by the Hamdan Foundation. Learn more.   EDUCATION, GENDER EQUALITY 9 October, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) Launch of the 2026 Global Education Monitoring Gender Report Ahead of the International Day of the Girl (11 October), UNESCO will bring together policymakers, researchers, young people and partners to highlight progress, address persistent challenges and promote solutions that advance gender equality in and through education. The event will include the launch of the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report’s Gender Policy Paper, which assesses progress towards gender equality in education. It will also feature the award ceremony for the 2026 UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education, funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Learn more.   BIODIVERSITY 19-30 October, Yerevan (Armenia) COP17 – Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity   UNESCO-designated sites demonstrate that conservation and sustainable development are not competing objectives. UNESCO is a solutions provider on climate change through concrete, evidence-based digital and AI programming, turning knowledge into action, promoting resource-efficient AI, and putting people and equity at the center of AI-driven climate solutions.  Beyond several events, UNESCO will be present at COP17 to launch the new phase of its groundbreaking eDNA Expeditions programme, sampling missions led across the globe to map and monitor marine species thanks to cutting edge biomolecular technology and the participation of citizen scientists. Learn more.   CULTURE, PRIORITY AFRICA 22-23 October, Luanda (Angola) Biennale of Luanda – Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace Organized by UNESCO, the African Union and the Government of Angola, the Biennale of Luanda promotes the prevention of violence and conflict resolution by encouraging cultural exchanges and intergenerational dialogue across Africa. Under the theme “Strengthening Water Governance in Africa as a tool for preventing, mediating, and resolving conflicts”, the event will bring together government representatives, civil society organizations, artists and scientist to share artistic works, ideas and good practices that foster a culture of peace in Africa. Learn more.   COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION 24-31 October, Hybrid events worldwide Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2026  In an age shaped by artificial intelligence, digital platforms and information overload, everyone has a crucial role to play in empowering individuals to navigate information critically, confidently and ethically. Under the theme "We All Play a Part – Media and Information Literacy for the People", UNESCO’s Media and Information Literacy Week 2026 will engage policymakers, educators, researchers, journalists, youth, digital content creators, regulators, and parents through a series of hybrid events around the world to address today's most pressing information challenges.   Learn more.   CULTURE 27 October, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) Promoting Human Creativity and the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment This international forum will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping cultural and creative sectors, examining its impact on creativity, cultural diversity and artistic rights. Discussion will explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents for the cultural and creative sectors, with a focus on ethical innovation, data governance, cultural diversity and the visibility of diverse content online. Learn more   SOCIAL AND HUMAN SCIENCES 27-29 October, Baku (Azerbaidjan) 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue Co-organized with UNESCO, the 7th World Forum builds on the Baku Process toward practical responses to global division. It translates dialogue into concrete action for understanding, cooperation, peace and sustainable development. Learn More   SOCIAL AND HUMAN SCIENCES 29-30 October, The Hague (The Netherlands) Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination For the 5th edition of the Forum, UNESCO will bring together leaders, experts and practitioners in The Hague to advance the global fight against racism and discrimination. Discussions will underscore the critical role of research and data in advancing equality. The Forum will also engage with the growing global conversation on reparatory justice. Learn more.   FREEDOM OF THE PRESS 2 November, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists Between 2006 and 2025, over 1,800 journalists have been killed around the world, with close to 9 out of 10 cases of these killings remaining judicially unresolved, according to UNESCO’s Observatory of Killed Journalists. On this international day, UNESCO will present the key findings of its 2026 Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity during an event at its Paris headquarters. Learn more.   CLIMATE SCIENCES 9-20 November, Antalya (Türkiye) COP31 – 2026 UN Climate Change Conference  At COP 31, UNESCO will raise awareness about the Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change, a partnership between UNESCO, the UN Secretariat and the Brazilian Government which contributes to investigating, exposing, and dismantling disinformation related to climate change. UNESCO will also release new publications on environment journalism and AI. Learn more.   EDUCATION 20 November, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) Launch of the 2026 Global Report on Early Childhood Care and Education UNESCO believes early childhood care and education (ECCE) can be the foundation for emotional wellbeing and learning throughout life, and one of the best investments a country can make. On World Children’s Day, UNESCO will unveil the second edition of the Global Report on Early Childhood Care and Education, spotlighting financing for quality education, jointly published by UNESCO, UNICEF and the OECD. Learn more.   GENDER EQUALITY 25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. UNESCO is joining the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, which this year highlights one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence against women and girls. The campaign also underscores that digital safety is essential to achieving gender equality. Learn more.   CULTURE 30 November - 5 December, Xiamen (China) 21st session of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee The session will include the examination by the Committee of nominations for inscription on the Lists of the Convention: the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. Learn more.   CULTURE 8-10 December, Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) Culture Summit Abu Dhabi This global forum will bring together policymakers, cultural leaders, artists, innovators and international organizations to explore the role of culture in addressing contemporary challenges. Through dialogue and collaboration, the Summit promotes innovative solutions for a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future. Learn more.   UNESCO Newsroom All our press releases   Social media

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Premium Website Design Opportunity – LUX Media Network

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Your Online Presence Could Match Your Brand

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SEMICON India 2026 Workshop

A. Workshop for students and Academia: Workforce pavilion (19  September  2026, at 3 PM)

Visit Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) Exhibition during SEMICON India 2026 Event

B. Booth for Exhibition: H3602 (17-19 Sept. 26): 9am to 6pm 

Venue: Yashobhoomi, India International Convention and Expo Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi.

Dates: 17–19 September 2026

Register

Faculty Positions in Nalanda University, Rajgir | Closing Date: 15.09

Faculty Positions at Nalanda University, Rajgir (including 2 in STPS area).

Recruitment Notice No.  NU/Teaching/Job/Aug-2026; Dated: 22.08.2026

Closing Date: 15.09.2026.

A. Form

Three Learning Videos on Innovation

Part 1: What is Innovation (by NCERT & JNU-TRCFS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rkJDTMdAz8

Part 2: Frugal Innovation (by NCERT & JNU-TRCFS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulc0wnuZOCc

Part 3: Frugal Innovation of India (by NCERT & JNU-TRCFS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWlEyPcZzU8

RRC Webinar on "How Libraries can adopt AI-based tools and techniques" | 16 August at 10:30 am

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Nirmal Kumar Khatri <khatri52@hotmail.com>

Dear Friends, 

Greetings of the Day. 

Ranganathan Research Circle (an organ of the Ranganathan Research Trust, established to promote research in the field of Library and Information Science) invites you to a 

Half-day Webinar on "How Libraries can adopt AI-based tools and techniques" 

Date and Time: Sunday, 16 August 2026 at 10.30 AM

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/cav-acyq-zvt

Topics and Speakers

• From Five Laws to Five Principles of AI, by Mr. Sukhdev Singh (Former DDG, National Informatics Centre)
• Libraries in the Age of AI: Adoption, Innovation and Transformation, by Dr. Shiva Kanaujia Shukla (Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Central Library, Jawaharlal Nehru University)
• Advancing Library Services through Artificial Intelligence, by Dr. Bebi (Librarian, Ramanujan College, University of Delhi)

There is no fee for the webinar. All are invited to attend. 

Please share among Library Professionals, Students, Research Scholars, Faculty, and Scientists. 

Best wishes and regards,

Dr. Nirmal Kumar Khatri 

Convener, Programs Committee (RRC)

Former Associate Scientist, Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi Centre Library

Mobile + 91 9910613694 (Using WhatsApp)