ArdorComm Media Bureau
September 23, 2025
The vibrant city of Bengaluru, widely hailed as the “Silicon Valley of India” and the country’s leading hub of innovation and technology, witnessed a landmark gathering on 19th September 2025 as ArdorComm Media Group successfully hosted the Digital Bharat Education Conclave 2025 at Bengaluru, Karnataka.
With the theme “Digital India Rising: Transforming Education, Skilling & Employability”, the conclave marked a defining moment in the nation’s education journey—bringing together academicians, policymakers, government leaders, industry pioneers, edtech innovators, and HR professionals to accelerate India’s transition towards a digitally empowered learning ecosystem.
A Platform for Innovation, Inclusion & Impact
The conclave captured the spirit of Education 5.0, where cutting-edge technologies like AI, ML, VR/AR, LMS-driven learning, and advanced data analytics are reshaping traditional teaching-learning methods. By prioritizing human-centric education, inclusivity, and employability, the event highlighted how digital transformation is bridging the gaps in access, quality, and outcomes across India’s education sector.
Karnataka, with its progressive education policies, thriving startup ecosystem, and robust digital infrastructure, was the perfect backdrop for this national flagship event. The conclave attracted 50+ eminent speakers, government dignitaries, roundtable discussions, dynamic panel sessions, and 500+ delegates—spanning 150 higher education leaders, 100+ school education leaders, 25+ edtech corporates, and HR & industry experts from across India.
Support from Esteemed Government Leaders of Karnataka
The summit was strengthened by the gracious support and encouraging messages from key leaders of the Karnataka Government.
- Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, lauded the conclave’s vision in expanding the boundaries of education, skilling, and employability, aligning with the spirit of Digital Bharat.
- Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Karnataka, highlighted the critical role such forums play in advancing progressive policies, fostering digital literacy, and preparing a globally competitive workforce.
Their messages underscored the state government’s strong commitment to positioning Karnataka as a digital-first, education-driven economy.
Industry Leaders and Keynote Speakers
The Inaugural Session, themed “Digital India Rising: Transforming Education, Skilling & Employability,” set a powerful tone for the day. In his Welcome Address, Kumar Chandan Anand, Founder, CEO & Group Editor, ArdorComm Media Group, emphasized ArdorComm’s mission of bridging gaps between academia, industry, and governance. As the Guest of Honour, Smt. Kanta Naik, Chairperson, Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC) & Karnataka Vocational Training and Skill Development Corporation (KVTSDC), highlighted initiatives empowering youth with 21st-century skills. Adding further depth to the proceedings, Dr. Shobha G, Director, Department of Collegiate Education, Government of Karnataka; Lakhan Lal Meena, CBSE Regional Officer, Govt. of India and Dr. Pranati Rohit Tilak, Chairman, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyalaya, delivered thought-provoking messages on higher education reforms and technology integration.
The first panel discussion, themed “Empowering Students for the Global Stage: Skills for the 21st Century Workforce,” brought together eminent education leaders who shared their perspectives on preparing students for a rapidly evolving world. The session was moderated by Javeria Khan, Director, Aryan Institute, and featured valuable insights from Manjula V, Founder, International Institute for Cognitive and Learning Sciences, and Chirag Agarwal, Founder Director, EarlyVentions Chains of Pre School, who emphasized the need for innovation in early education and cognitive development. Dr. Hemalatha S. Murthy, Director Principal, White Petals Group of Institutions, and Dr. Pranati Rohit Tilak, Chairman, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyalaya, highlighted the role of holistic learning approaches and skill-based education in nurturing future-ready learners. Adding further depth, Hamsa Venugopal, Managing Director, New Baldwin Group of Institutions, and M. Rama Devi, Principal, Reindeer International School, stressed the importance of equipping students with adaptability, communication, and problem-solving skills to succeed in the global workforce.
The second panel discussion, titled “Inclusive Campus in the Digital Era: Addressing Digital Divides, Diversifying Curricula,” focused on creating equitable and accessible learning environments in a technology-driven world. The session was moderated by Dr. Sami Ulla M, CEO, MEGA Educational Group, and featured an esteemed panel including Shwetha Sumanth, Owner & Principal, Shanthinikethana School, and Dr. Harshita Sharma, Founder Director, Brainstorm International School, who shared strategies for bridging digital gaps and promoting inclusive education. Manish Rastogi, Group CEO and Wholetime Director, Zee Learn Limited, emphasized the role of innovative learning models in reaching underserved communities, while Ashok K.M. Gowda, Chairman, Ekam Group of Institutions, Electronic City, highlighted initiatives to diversify curricula to meet the needs of a digital-first generation. The panel also included Pritam Kumar Agarwal, Founder & Director, Hello Kids, and Deepak Agarwal, Founder, Cubs The Preschool & Cubs – Sankalp School, who discussed scalable solutions for integrating technology into early childhood education and fostering a culture of inclusion from the foundational years.
The third panel, titled “Degrees to Skills: Rethinking Higher Education Outcomes for the Future Workforce,” focused on aligning higher education with the evolving demands of the global workforce. The session was moderated by Dr. Sibi Shaji, Pro Vice Chancellor, Garden City University, and featured a distinguished lineup of education and industry leaders. Anand Subramaniam, Chief Business Officer – IndiaEd Finance, Auxilo Finserve Pvt Ltd, shared insights on bridging the gap between academic credentials and employable skills. Dr. Manish Kothari, Founder and President, ISBR Group of Institutions, and Dr. Shaleesha A. Stanley, Pro Chancellor, Jeppiaar University, emphasized curriculum innovation and experiential learning models. Prof. Anant Chakradeo, Group Provost, MIT Group, India, and Dr. Jayanthi V, Vice Chancellor, Sapthagiri NPS University, highlighted the importance of integrating industry-relevant competencies in higher education programs. The panel also featured Prof. B. S. Satyanarayana, Vice Chancellor, Dayananda Sagar University, and Dr. Balakrishna P. Shetty, Vice Chancellor, Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth, who discussed strategies to prepare students for future-ready careers while fostering holistic development and lifelong learning.
The fourth panel, themed “Education 5.0: Redefining Education by Integrating Immersive & Advanced Technologies,” explored how cutting-edge technologies are transforming teaching and learning experiences. The session was moderated by Dr. N. Kannan, Dean, School of Engineering & Technology, CMR University, and featured a panel of visionary education leaders. Nikhil Abhichandani, Associate Director, Meritto, shared insights on leveraging digital platforms to enhance learning outcomes, while Prof. Harish Kumar Sardana, Director, IIIT Raichur, highlighted the role of technology-driven pedagogy in higher education. Dr. K.B. Lingegowda, Vice Chancellor, Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education, discussed integrating immersive experiences such as VR/AR into curricula to foster student engagement, and Prof. Dr. Rajesh S, Vice Chancellor, MIT ADT University, emphasized the need for AI, machine learning, and data analytics in shaping future-ready learners. The discussion underscored the transformative potential of Education 5.0 in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of a digital-first world.
The fifth panel, titled “Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Education: Institutional Perspectives for Scalable Impact,” focused on leveraging collaborations between public institutions and private organizations to drive meaningful change in the education sector. The session was moderated by Dr. Y. Ramalinga Reddy, Pro Vice Chancellor, REVA University, and brought together distinguished education leaders to share their experiences and strategies. CA Dr. Vishnu Bharath Alampalli, President, APS Group of Institutions, and Yashaswi Nagori, Managing Trustee, Arihant Group of Institutions, discussed models for scalable impact through strategic partnerships. Dr. Uttama Singh, CEO, MKM Group of Colleges for Girls, highlighted initiatives aimed at enhancing skill development and employability for students, while Dr. S.N. Sridhara Col. (Hon. Retd.), Vice Chancellor, Adichunchanagiri University, B.G. Nagara, emphasized the importance of aligning PPPs with institutional goals to ensure long-term sustainability and innovation in education.
Industry Speeches
The first industry speech, “Envisioning AI Landscape in Education,” was delivered by Priyansh Singh, Deputy General Manager – Display Business, Samsung India Electronics Pvt Ltd.
The second industry speech, “Making of the Digital Backbone of the Education Industry,” was delivered by Sharath Chandra Ayyalasomayajula, Deputy Manager, Meritto.
The third industry speech, “Mastersoft for Higher Education,” was delivered by Krishna Kumar, Vice President of Sales, MasterSoft.
The fourth industry speech, “From Skills to Systems: Building a Future-Ready Education Ecosystem,” was delivered by Abdul Ahad, General Manager, Global Expansion, NetCom+.
The fifth industry speech, “Transforming the Future of Education in India,” was delivered by Rohit More, Head – Channel & Alliances – India, SkillSoft.
The sixth industry speech, “Sustainable AV Solutions,” was delivered by Sooraj K Paul, Regional Manager (South & West), Godrej Interio.
Roundtable Discussion
The RoundTable Discussion, themed “Responsible AI in Education: Smart, Scalable, and Aligned for Societal Good,” was moderated by Priyansh Singh, Deputy General Manager – Display Business, Samsung India Electronics Pvt Ltd. The session featured a distinguished panel of education leaders, including Dr. Vanitha Lokesh S K, Principal & Managing Director, Srushti Group of Institution; Dr. Syeda Nusrath, Founder-Director, Aryan Institute; VamsheePriya Amar, Principal, MVJ International School; Sushmitha Prashanth, Managing Trustee & Owner, PRISM ACADEMY School; Sauda Sadaf, Chairman & Managing Director, Meridian English School; Yogita Agarwal, Co-Founder, Sankalp School; Kubra Hussain, CEO and Principal, Grandeur Group of Schools; Anupama Ramachandra, Principal, Delhi Public School, Electronic City; Sunitha Vasanth, Founder Director & Trustee, Samskrithi Academy; Pruthvi Banwasi, Founder, Roots Educational Institutions; Dr. Rudrayya M Hiremath, Founder Principal and Chairman, Indian Public School; Sumanth Narayan, Vice Chairman, Shanthi Nikethana Schools; Kalesha Inaganti, Executive Director, BS International School; M. Rama Devi, Principal, Reindeer International School; Dr. Sunitha Khanapure, Principal, Christ International School; Manish Rastogi, Group CEO and Wholetime Director, Zee Learn Limited; Dr. Jain Sonal, Principal, Delhi Public International School; Prabhu Halewadimath, Principal, Prarthana International School; Dr. Durgesh B M, CEO and Principal, S K N International School; Vidya MV Prabhu Shankar, Principal, Orchids Group of Schools; and Deepak Agarwal, Founder, Cubs The Preschool & Cubs – Sankalp School. The discussion focused on harnessing artificial intelligence responsibly in education, exploring scalable and impactful applications that align with societal good.
Recognizing Excellence: ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2025
The Valedictory Session was a grand celebration of innovation and excellence. The ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2025 honored educators, institutions, edtech companies, and startups who have demonstrated transformative leadership in adapting to digital shifts, reskilling, and reimagining learning.
Graced by esteemed guests and decision-makers, the awards recognized trendsetters and innovators driving the future of Indian education. The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt thank-you note from Kumar Chandan Anand, expressing gratitude to all participants, dignitaries, and partners for making the conclave a milestone event.
Looking Ahead
The Digital Bharat Education Conclave 2025, Bengaluru was more than a conclave—it was a national movement for a digital-first education ecosystem, setting the stage for India’s transition into a knowledge-driven economy.
Adding to the celebrations, ArdorComm Media also marked its 4th anniversary, a significant milestone in its journey of driving impactful conversations across education, healthcare, HR, governance, and media.
As India continues to embrace Digital Bharat, ArdorComm Media reaffirms its commitment to creating platforms that unite government, academia, and industry for collaborative growth. Together, we are shaping a future where education, skilling, and employability go hand in hand with technology and innovation.
Stay connected. Stay inspired. Together, we are building Digital Bharat.
Event Glimpses: https://ardorcomm-media.com/digitalbharat/digitalbharat-bengaluru-glimpses/
Event Website: https://ardorcomm-media.com/digitalbharat/bengaluru/