The All-College Symposium goes virtual
The second annual All-College Symposium will be held on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020.
Growing up on an island, Priyanka Ramchurn ’21 has always been fascinated by the power of the ocean. But can that power be harnessed for sustainable and eco-friendly economic growth around the world?
That’s the question that’s been driving Ramchurn throughout her undergraduate experience at Conn.
“Since the ocean is a transnational topic, I wanted to learn about the experience of other countries around the world and investigate the opportunities and challenges they are facing in transitioning to a sustainable blue economy,” she said, defining the blue economy as the use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.
An international relations and economics double major, finance minor, and scholar in the Toor Cummings Center for International Studies and the Liberal Arts, Ramchurn will present the results of four years of her research at the second annual All-College Symposium Nov. 6, and make the case that transitioning to a sustainable blue economy requires sound ocean governance, research and innovation, and most importantly, finance.
“I will introduce the concept of blue financing and blue investments to my audience and emphasize the importance of investing in the blue economy in 2020 and beyond,” she said.
Ramchurn is one of nearly 200 seniors in Conn’s Interdisciplinary Pathways and Centers for Interdisciplinary Scholarship who will participate in the virtual day-long symposium, which highlights students’ integrative learning through Connections, Conn’s reinvention of the liberal arts.
Through virtual talks, panels, group discussions, poster sessions and videos, the student presenters will showcase the connections they have made among their courses and research, their jobs and internships, their work in local communities and around the globe—along with the questions that animated their choices along the way.
“Last year’s inaugural event was a thrilling display of the intellectual creative energy of our students. I know this year’s class of presenters are already building on that success, to make this Symposium one of the most intellectually engaging events of the year,” President Katherine Bergeron said in a letter inviting the Conn community to the event.
“We are extremely proud of our seniors. You tenacious students in the Class of 2021 are the second cohort to complete Connections, and the first to do so in the midst of a global pandemic! You have overcome countless challenges to do independent research, to complete stunning works of art and performance, and to make a lasting impact on your communities,” Bergeron continued.
“Our first-year and sophomore students, who are just beginning to chart their journeys through Conn, will have a unique opportunity to learn directly from you. I hope no one will miss this opportunity to be inspired.”
All Symposium presentations are open to the public and can be viewed via Zoom links found in the Guidebook. A Virtual Symposium Preview Gallery will be live on the Symposium website starting Monday, Nov. 2.
“The All-College Symposium is an extraordinary celebration of our seniors’ passionate engagement with questions that matter to them and to the larger world,” said Dean of the College Jefferson Singer. “Our whole community—faculty, students, staff, alumni and parents—can learn so much from these dedicated students.”
