About the Conference

A paradigm is defined as an overriding viewpoint that shapes ideas and actions in a particular field. A paradigm shift is a radical change of paradigm, a significant departure from an accepted point of view, a metamorphosis. The third millennium is witnessing frantically accelerated paradigm shifts in every discipline. Avant-Garde 2014 sets out to explore the new gestalt in four major areas – Management, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), English Language Teaching (ELT) and Higher Education (HE) - where new perspectives are deconstructing old orthodoxies. At Avant-Garde 2014, we will be asking: What constitutes these paradigm shifts? What are their ramifications? We will map the new territories, explore the fields, gauge the shifts, critique old paradigms and interrogate new assumptions. Boundaries are breading down, barriers are vanishing, and aspirations are running high. Can the paradigm shifts meet the new challenges?

It is against this backdrop that we invite Academics, Professionals, Researchers and Students to present, share, debate and discuss their take on the paradigm shifts in the conference themes, at Avant-Garde 2014.