Reflection on the LSUC, 2025

Conference and Seminars in Academic institutions often follow template of bygone era when knowledge was considered as prerogative of “scholars” and everyone else was expected to thankfully slurp their verbiage. The Learning Society UnConference (LSUC) 2025 at Kumaraguru College of Technology Coimbatore by Shikshantar Aandolan and the Multiversity Alliance India is one of the most enjoyable gatherings I have can in recent times. LSUC was different from academic Conferences as the name indicates. Diverse gathering of about 800 people, lots of kids and parents together, academics, activists, students, home scholars, educators,learners, and several people who do not fit into any of these specific category and yet are stake holders, were all there.  

Here the Knowledge of the multiverse is in full bloom, with diverse knowledge and diversity of pursuits and practices, coexist, and engage with each other. There were so many informal engagements and dialogues, constant music and spontaneous dancing as well!! Laughter and fun is the language of the LSUC. As one of the college students summarised, “never seen so many people smiling at strangers and hugging each other”!! That’s what the place was bonded on - respectful and thankful to the diversity, everyone smiled in solidarity and understanding and more hugs per hour than what you did in a year.

I spoke with several groups and individuals over 2 days, intense, and with much fun. My first meeting was with a group of home schoolers, all of them either finishing schooling or moving to the college education stage. One of the parents asked me to interact with them and it ended up as a larger discussion on their dreams, aspirations and apprehensions. Most of the home schooling parents also joined along with their children and one of them later said that it was equally inspiring for them as much as the children. Another meeting with a group of KCT college students ended up as a discussion on the challenges of academic structure, coping mechanism for students and after 2 hours one of the student said, that this is the first time they have sat this long without looking at their phones!!

A special shout out to the impressive KCT campus. I have never seen such a accessibility sensitive campus in India.  From the wheel chair friendly sidewalks that gradually meet the road in every intersection, to the waste management practices, cleanliness, hygiene and choice of optimal water usage taps, and drainage systems, every small detail of this campus for me showed that it was designed by someone with great understanding, conviction and care. The well maintained campus and the excellent facilities made LSUC an even more impressive programme. 

I am clearn that such UnCoference is the future of a Knowledge Society. I wish more academic institutions had the courage and openness to organise events like this.