Chennai: The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli began a one-week Online Faculty Development Programme titled ‘Reading and Researching the Literature of Crisis’, in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies, University of Hyderabad on the 22 nd of January.This virtual training programme, being held from 22 nd to 28 th January 2024, aims to help the participants to identify key concepts in Vulnerability Studies, and comprehend literary works that scrutinize human, nonhuman, and planetary vulnerabilities. Dr. V.K. Karthika of NIT Trichy, Prof. Pramod K. Nayar FRHistS, FEA who holds the UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies and Prof. Anna Kurian, Faculty Fellow UNESCO Chair, University of Hyderabad are the convenors of the programme.The inaugural function was held online and Dr. V. K. Karthika welcomed the participants and other dignitaries. Prof. Pramod K. Nayar presented the concept note where he emphasized that this programme will enable the participants to read and research the concepts in Vulnerability Studies across different forms and genres. He also discussed the mandate of the Chair and the collaborative projects that the Chair is running in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Prof. G. Aghila, the Director of NIT Trichy, conveyed her best wishes and congratulations through Prof. N. Kumaresan, Director i/c, NIT Trichy who presided over the function and addressed the gathering. In his presidential address he emphasised the importance of such academic collaborations. Prof. B. J. Rao, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad also conveyed the wishes though he could not be present in the meeting.The programme was inaugurated by Ms. Aishwarya Sehgal of the Social and Human Sciences Unit, UNESCO Regional Office, New Delhi. She delegated the Chief of the Social and Human Sciences Unit, UNESCO Regional Office, New Delhi, Ms. Eunsong Kim. In her inaugural talk, Ms. Sehgal highlighted that this programme is not a mere academic discussion but also a call for action to confront the global challenges. Mr. Tim Curtis, the Director & UNESCO Representative, UNESCO Regional Office, New Delhi in his video message emphasised the significant contributions that such academic collaborations may offer to the society in terms of designing appropriate action plans to work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.Prof. R. Murugesan, HoD, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, NIT Trichy offered their felicitations. Prof. Anna Kurian proposed the vote of thanks in which she conveyed the wishes of the UoH Vice Chancellor.The programme commenced with a captivating session by Prof. Pramod K. Nayar. The sessions on the subsequent days will be handled by Dr. Saradindu Bhattacharya, Dr. Anna Kurian of University of Hyderabad, Dr. Sarah Falcus (The University of Huddersfield, UK), Dr. Maria Porras Sanchez (Complutense University of Madrid, Spain), Dr. Swarnalatha Rangarajan (IIT Madras), and Dr. Meenakshi Srihari (Sai University). Over 550 participants registered for this programme and there are overseas participants from the UK, USA, Indonesia, and Pakistan.