NIT, Rourkela. Picture by Uttam Kumar Pal

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 8: Several top psychologists and historians will visit the state this month with two events — the 23rd annual convention of the National Academy of Psychology and the 74th Indian History Congress — being hosted in Odisha.

The first event will begin at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, on December 13. The theme for the three-day convention is “Psychology in the service of humanity: Theory, technology and applications”.

Around 300 scholars and experts from across the country and abroad are expected to come here for discussion on the latest developments and probable trends in psychology.

“It is aimed at providing an opportunity to researchers and practitioners of this discipline to examine how the rapid technological advancements has influenced the material conditions of Indian society and affected the tools of inquiry that psychologists use in the laboratory and outside to study the human mind and behaviour,” said secretary of NIT, Rourkela, public relations, R.K. Sinha.

On the other hand, preparations are on at Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, for the history congress, which will be held from December 28 to 30. Nearly 2,000 delegates from across the globe are expected to take part in this big-ticket event. Eminent historians and academics such as Romila Thapar, Irfan Habib, Bipan Chandra, Akeel Bilgrami and Herman Kulke will take part.

The three days will see seven parallel sessions, 1,200 presentations, two theme-based symposiums, three special lectures and evenings of engaging deliberations on a common intellectual platform. There would be special focus on Odisha’s history, culture and heritage.

“We are holding meetings everyday to review the preparations,” said political science teacher at the university Netajee Abhinandan.

The delegates will be accommodated at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, a new hostel at Ravenshaw, government guesthouses and hotels.