Shared Worlds, Shared Knowledge: Emerging Models for Museum-University Partnerships

Opening remarks by

Vaidehi Savnal, Curator (Education and Public Programmes)

Panelists

• Dr Neal Spencer, Deputy Director Collections & Research
• Dr Susmita Basu Majumdar, Professor, Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture, University of Calcutta
• Dr Dimitris Damaskos, Professor of Classical Archaeology, University of Patras
• Dr Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Chancellor, Professor of History, Ashoka University
• Dr Naman Ahuja, Professor of Indian Art and Architecture, Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Dr Manjiri Kamat, Professor at the Department of History, University of Mumbai
• Mr Cyrus Guzder, Chairman of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) Mumbai

About the discussion:

The Ancient World Gallery (AWG) project at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) has fostered a pioneering Museum-University partnership that redefines how the ancient world is studied and taught. This initiative emphasises the use of museum collections as primary source material for learning about ancient civilisations and encourages a broader, cross-disciplinary, and international approach to teaching and research.

The panel discussion will bring together scholars, curators, and educators from amongst the partnering institutions to reflect on the objectives of the AWG Museum-University partnership and discuss the growing need for such collaborative models in academic and museum practice. The conversation will explore how global co-curation can enrich scholarship, create new learning frameworks, and open pathways for future collaborations between museums and universities worldwide.