ArdorComm Media Bureau
June 22, 2026
The ArdorComm – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu concluded successfully on 19th June 2026, bringing together an extraordinary gathering of educators, policymakers, government dignitaries, industry leaders, EdTech innovators, and academic visionaries under one roof to deliberate on the future of education in India.
Organized by ArdorComm Media Group, one of India’s growing media organizations focused on education, governance, technology, healthcare, and leadership communities, the summit revolved around the central theme: “Future-Ready Tamil Nadu: Learning in the Age of AI, Skills & Inclusion.”
The event served as a dynamic knowledge-sharing platform that highlighted Tamil Nadu’s growing prominence as one of India’s strongest education and skilling ecosystems while addressing the evolving needs of a rapidly transforming digital world.
Celebrating Tamil Nadu’s Educational Excellence
Tamil Nadu has long been recognized as one of India’s leading states in literacy, academic excellence, industrial development, and workforce readiness. Cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Vellore, Tiruchirappalli, and Thanjavur have established themselves as important centers for higher education, innovation, research, and industry growth.
Against this backdrop, ArdorComm brought together influential stakeholders from across the education ecosystem to discuss how institutions can prepare students for a future shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, digital transformation, and evolving employment landscapes.
Industry Leaders and Keynote Speakers
The summit commenced with an inspiring Inaugural Session centered around the theme “Future-Ready Tamil Nadu: Learning in the Age of AI, Skills & Inclusion,” setting the tone for a day of meaningful dialogue on the future of education and skill development. The session began with a warm Welcome Address by Kumar Chandan Anand, Founder, CEO & Group Editor, ArdorComm Media Group, who highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in transforming India’s education ecosystem for a rapidly evolving digital future. The event was further enriched by the presence of distinguished Special Guests, including Dr. M. Jayaprakasan, ISDS, Regional Director, RDSDE (Tamil Nadu), NSTI (Chennai & Trichy), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and Dr. S. Kannappan, Director, School Education, Directorate of School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, who shared valuable perspectives on policy initiatives, skill development, and strengthening educational infrastructure. Adding further depth to the session, esteemed Guest Speakers Dr. Manjula Pooja Shroff, MD and CEO, Kalorex Group, and Dr. Smt. Uma Kannan, Founder Principal, Sri Venkateswara Group of Schools, delivered insightful thoughts on innovation in education, leadership, and preparing institutions to build inclusive and future-ready learning environments in the age of AI.
Panel Discussion 1 focused on the crucial theme “Essential Skills for the 21st Century: Preparing Students for the Future of Work,” where education leaders explored the growing importance of equipping students with competencies required to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven global workforce. The session was expertly moderated by Jagannathan D, Principal, Victoria School CBSE, Thoothukudi, who guided an engaging discussion on bridging the gap between traditional academic learning and industry expectations. Distinguished panelists including Dr. K. Maran, Director, Sri Sai Ram Institute of Management Studies, Chennai, Barath Silvester Raj, Principal, Sri Venkateswara Public Senior Secondary School, Chennai, and Dr. Nisha Nair, Principal, Jesus School for Excellence, Vadakkankulam, shared valuable insights on the need to foster critical thinking, communication skills, adaptability, leadership, creativity, and problem-solving abilities among students. The discussion emphasized that future-ready education must go beyond academics and focus on building well-rounded individuals capable of navigating the evolving demands of tomorrow’s workplace.
Panel Discussion 2 centered on the important theme “Inclusive, Equitable & Accessible Education: Bridging Rural-Urban Learning Gaps,” highlighting the urgent need to create an education ecosystem that ensures equal learning opportunities for every student regardless of geography or socio-economic background. The session was thoughtfully moderated by Sivaprakasam Raman, Director, Hindu Global School, Erode & Salem, who steered the discussion around addressing disparities in access to quality education and building more inclusive learning environments. Esteemed panelists including Anand R, CEO – Preschool Division, Proelium Learning Solutions, Dr. Smt. Uma Kannan, Founder Principal, Sri Venkateswara Group of Schools, Ambattur, Dr. T. Arul Raj, Principal, International Delhi Public School, Kuppam, and D. Aida Emelensia, Director & Chairman, Trinity Group of Institution, Chennai, shared valuable perspectives on reducing educational inequalities through innovative teaching practices, stronger institutional support, improved infrastructure, and technology-driven accessibility. The discussion reinforced the collective responsibility of educators and policymakers in ensuring education remains inclusive, equitable, and accessible for learners across both rural and urban communities.
Panel Discussion 3 explored the highly relevant theme “EdTech, Hybrid Learning & Digital Inclusion: Affordability, Accessibility & Digital Wellbeing,” focusing on how technology continues to transform modern education while ensuring learning remains inclusive and sustainable for all. The session was moderated by Venkatesh V, Associate Director, META-i Technologies Pvt. Ltd., who guided an engaging conversation around the opportunities and challenges of integrating digital solutions into education systems. The distinguished panel featured Prof. Godwin Tennyson, Director (I/C), IIM Tiruchirappalli, Prof. (Dr.) D. Viswanathan, Rector – Research and Development, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Dr. Shaleesha A. Stanley, Pro Chancellor, Jeppiaar University, Chennai, Bastin Thomas, Founder & CEO, Linways Technologies Pvt Ltd, and Dheepan Thangavelu, Vice Chairman, Sri Shakthi Group of Institutions, Tamil Nadu. The discussion highlighted the growing importance of hybrid learning models, affordable access to digital infrastructure, student wellbeing in technology-driven environments, and the role of EdTech innovation in creating scalable, future-focused learning experiences that can reach learners across diverse communities.
Panel Discussion 4 focused on the transformative theme “Building Intelligent Education Ecosystems: AI, Automation & the Future of Student Experience,” highlighting how emerging technologies are redefining the education landscape and shaping the next generation of learning environments. The session was moderated by Dr. R. Hariprakash, Pro Vice Chancellor, Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, who steered an insightful discussion on integrating artificial intelligence and automation into academic institutions to enhance learning outcomes and institutional efficiency. The esteemed panel featured Sameer Nazar, Deputy Manager, Meritto, Dr. M. A. Maluk Mohamed, Co-founder / VP (Research) / Head (India), Twin Health Inc & Chairman, MASTeR Group of Institutions (MAMCET & MAMBS), Trichy, Dr. K. Visagavel, Co-Founder, Knowledge Institute of Technology, Salem, and Dr. C. Manohar, Sr. Director – ISBR, Bengaluru; Chairman – ISTD, Bengaluru; Advisor – International School of Management Excellence. The discussion emphasized the growing role of AI-driven systems, intelligent campus infrastructure, automation in administration, personalized student engagement, and how institutions must strategically adapt to deliver enhanced student experiences in an increasingly technology-enabled education ecosystem.
Panel Discussion 5 addressed the highly significant theme “Campus-To-Career Pathways: Skilling, Employability & Industry Integration,” focusing on how educational institutions can better prepare students to successfully transition from academic learning to professional careers in an evolving job market. The session was moderated by Dr. R. Venkatesh Babu, Director – Academics and Administration, SRM Group of Institutions, Chennai, who facilitated an engaging discussion on aligning education with industry expectations and future workforce requirements. The panel featured distinguished experts including Viswajeet Biswal, Head – Growth & Business Development, Scholar Z, R. Ghuhan, Vice Chairman, Mahalakshmi Group of Institutions, Chennai, Senthilkanna JN, CEO, Sri Venkateswaraa College of Technology, Chennai, G. Sundari, Registrar, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, and Dr. R. S. Valarmathi, Dean – School of Electrical and Communications, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. The discussion highlighted the growing importance of industry-academia collaboration, skill-based learning, internship opportunities, career readiness programs, and innovative approaches that can bridge employability gaps while empowering students with the practical competencies needed to thrive in the future workplace.
Fireside Chat
A special highlight of the summit was an engaging Book Reading & Fireside Chat, featuring Dr. Manjula Pooja Shroff, MD and CEO, Kalorex Group, in conversation with Anantha Krishnan B, CEO – Operations, Kalorex Group. This thoughtfully curated session offered attendees an inspiring exchange of ideas centered around leadership, innovation, and the evolving future of education in an increasingly dynamic world. Through reflections drawn from experience and insights shared during the discussion, the session explored the importance of visionary leadership, continuous learning, and building resilient educational ecosystems capable of adapting to rapid technological and societal change. The fireside conversation added a unique dimension to the summit, leaving the audience with valuable perspectives on purpose-driven leadership and the transformative role education continues to play in shaping future generations.
Industry Speeches
The Industry Speech on “Smart Classrooms, Smarter Learning: How Samsung is Transforming Education with AI Powered Displays” was delivered by PL Vijay, DGM – Display Business, Samsung India Electronics Pvt. Ltd.
The Industry Speech on “Insights for Institutional Growth” was delivered by Alok Surana, Sr. Vice President – Sales, Mastersoft ERP.
The Industry Speech on “Why Student Enrollment Doesn’t Need More Tools” was delivered by Subhojit Laha, Associate Director, Meritto.
The Industry Speech on “AI Powered Digital Transformation in Higher Education” was delivered by Aman Dhingra, Vice President – Business Growth & Strategy, Camu.
The Industry Speech on “Turning Education Reform into Reality with AI & Blockchain” was delivered by Naim Shekh, Vice President, TruScholar.
The Industry Speech on “DrillBit: AI-Powered Plagiarism Detection for Academic Excellence” was delivered by Manjunath Rodagi, Sr. Regional Manager, DrillBit SoftTech India Pvt. Ltd.
Roundtable Discussion
The summit also featured an engaging RoundTable Discussion on “From Smart Classrooms to Intelligent Campuses: Building Connected Learning Ecosystems for the Digital Age,” which brought together a distinguished group of education leaders and innovators to exchange perspectives on the future of connected and technology-enabled learning environments. The session was moderated by PL Vijay, DGM – Display Business, Samsung India Electronics Pvt Ltd. The discussion witnessed active participation from Mohd Azhar, Founder Principal, Knowledge Academy School, Chennai; Nisha Nancy Edelquin, Co-Founder & Director, i2Global School, Chennai; Sivaprakasam Raman, Director, Hindu Global School, Erode & Salem; Umayal Subramaniam, Trustee, Kamala Subramaniam Secondary School, Thanjavur; Dr. T. Arul Raj, Principal, International Delhi Public School, Kuppam; Prapanna Pandian, Founder & CEO, TD Academy, Chennai; Aleyamma Mathew, CEO, Greenfield Chennai International School, Chennai; Suhanya Prasad, Academic Director, Sai Academy, Chennai; Hemalatha Sooryanarayanan, Principal, SAN Academy (Pallikaranai), Chennai; D. Aida Emelensia, Director & Chairman, Trinity Group of Institution, Chennai; Syed Abbas Ibrahim, Director, London De Academy, Chennai; Arunkumar G, Director & Founder, Newton’s Apple Public School, Chennai; Sindhu Rajan, Owner & Correspondent, The Krisar Academy, Arani; Dr. Bhavanishankar, Director – Strategy, Heartfulness International School, Chennai; Raja Radhakrishnan, Academic Director, Edison International School, Nambiyur, Coimbatore; Jayanthi Ravi, Managing Director, Eversmile Learning, Chennai; Senthil Kumar, Principal, T I School, Chennai; Kavitha Krishnakumar, Director, Sthairya Academy, Chennai; Dr. K. K. Rajan, Founder & Chairperson, The Krisar Academy, Arani; Sai Santosh, CTO & Co-Founder, Kalvi 360 School, Chennai; and Dr. Bhanu Sahni, Academic Head, T I School, Chennai, making it a highly collaborative session focused on reimagining digital-first education ecosystems and the future of connected learning in the modern academic landscape.
Honouring Excellence at ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026
A major highlight of the summit was the prestigious ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026, dedicated to recognizing and celebrating institutions, organizations, educators, innovators, and EdTech leaders who have made significant contributions toward transforming education in India.
The awards acknowledged exceptional work across multiple categories:
- Preschool Education
- School Education
- Higher Education
- Skills & Training
- EdTech Startups
- EdTech Corporate Organizations
The recognition ceremony celebrated institutions and individuals who have demonstrated innovation, resilience, leadership, and excellence in advancing teaching, learning, and employability outcomes.
Building the Future of Education Together
As India’s education ecosystem undergoes rapid transformation driven by technology, policy reforms, artificial intelligence, and changing workforce demands, forums like the ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards continue to play a crucial role in enabling dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.
The summit successfully reinforced the importance of preparing institutions and learners for the future by embracing AI-driven education, digital inclusion, industry integration, skill development, and equitable learning opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The successful completion of the ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 in Chennai once again demonstrated ArdorComm Media’s commitment to building meaningful conversations around the future of education in India.
As education leaders, policymakers, institutions, startups, and innovators came together to exchange knowledge and celebrate excellence, the summit became more than just an event — it became a movement toward shaping a smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready education ecosystem for the nation.
ArdorComm Media extends its heartfelt gratitude to all speakers, partners, delegates, institutions, award winners, and participants who contributed to making this summit a grand success.
Together, we continue building the future of education.
Event Website: https://ardorcomm-media.com/aelsa/
Event Glimpses: https://ardorcomm-media.com/aelsa/aelsachennai-glimpses/