ArdorComm Media Bureau
February 7, 2026
The ArdorComm – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026, held on 6th February 2026 in Guwahati, Assam, emerged as a powerful confluence of ideas, inspiration and action, spotlighting the North East as a fast-evolving education and skills hub of India. Centred on the theme “Future-Ready Northeast: Building Skills, Mindsets for a Smarter Tomorrow”, the summit brought together senior education leaders, policymakers, academicians, EdTech innovators and industry experts from across the region and beyond.
Organised by ArdorComm Media Group, the flagship summit reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering dialogue, collaboration and recognition across India’s education ecosystem—this time with a sharp focus on the immense potential and progress of the North Eastern states.
Showcasing the Northeast’s Education Transformation
The summit highlighted how Northeast India is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation in education, driven by improved literacy rates, enhanced digital infrastructure, policy-led reforms and growing private participation. Discussions underscored the region’s journey from access-led education to outcome-oriented, future-ready learning models.
Speakers extensively explored the opportunities unlocked by NEP 2020, particularly its emphasis on regional languages, multidisciplinary learning, skill integration and alignment with local economic and employment needs. The role of education in nurturing entrepreneurship, employability and innovation within the region was a recurring theme across sessions.
With growing investments in universities, private unaided schools, vocational training centres and EdTech-enabled classrooms, the Northeast is increasingly positioning itself as a model region for inclusive and tech-driven education.
Support from Esteemed Government Leaders
The ArdorComm – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 – Guwahati received strong encouragement and goodwill from distinguished leaders of the Government of Assam, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing education, skills and youth development in the region.
Smti. Nandita Garlosa, Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Assam, extended her warm wishes to the summit, appreciating initiatives that focus on empowering youth through education, skill development and holistic growth.
Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Welfare of Plain Tribe & Backward Classes, Government of Assam, conveyed his best wishes for the event and acknowledged the role of such platforms in strengthening education systems, promoting inclusivity and aligning learning with the aspirations of the future workforce.
Shri Prasanta Phukan, Hon’ble Minister for Power, Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship, Medical Education & Research, Government of Assam, also shared his warm regards for the summit, recognising the significance of industry–academia collaboration in building a skilled, employable and future-ready talent pool for the state and the region.
Their encouragement and goodwill added immense value to the summit and reaffirmed the collective commitment towards nurturing a future-ready Northeast through education, skills and innovation.
Industry Leaders and Keynote Speakers
The summit opened with an impactful Inaugural Session on “Future-Ready Northeast: Building Skills & Mindsets for a Better Tomorrow”, setting the tone for a day of forward-looking discussions. Kumar Chandan Anand, Founder, CEO & Group Editor, ArdorComm Media Group, delivered the Welcome Address, highlighting ArdorComm’s commitment to fostering collaborative platforms that drive inclusive, future-ready education. The Guest of Honour, Shri R. C. Jain, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB), Government of Assam, shared insights on strengthening school education and aligning learning outcomes with the vision of NEP 2020. The session was further enriched by Maj. Gen. B. D. Wadhwa, AVSM, Pro Chancellor (Emeritus), IILM University, Greater Noida, who emphasised leadership and values-based education, and Aaditya Razdan, Senior Enterprise Director, Coursera, who spoke on the growing role of digital platforms and industry-aligned learning in building future-ready skills for the Northeast.
Panel 1, titled “NEP and Tech Advantage for KG to PG: Building a Future-Ready Generation”, brought together education leaders from school and higher education to discuss how NEP 2020 and technology can collectively transform learning across the entire academic continuum. Moderated by Sandip Sen, Principal, SERS Public School, Guwahati, the panel featured Cdr. (Dr.) Gurdaman Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SRM University, Gangtok; Prof. (Dr.) Ginlianlal Buhril, Vice Chancellor, ICFAI University, Mizoram; Dr. Nitai Pradhan, Principal, Good Shepherd’s Home English Medium High School, Nagaon; and Mohan Raghavan, Director, Mind Matters Educational Group, Guwahati. The discussion highlighted curriculum flexibility, experiential learning, digital integration and teacher preparedness as critical enablers for nurturing future-ready skills and mindsets from early childhood education to higher education.
Panel 2, titled “Digital Pathways to Lifelong Learning: Balancing Innovation, Inclusion & Ethics”, focused on how digital transformation can enable continuous learning while remaining equitable and responsible. Moderated by Gariasi Dutta, Chairperson, The down town Group Schools, Guwahati, the panel featured Diwan Siraj Munir, Executive Director & CEO, Sublime Academy, Barpeta; Dr. Durlav Sarkar, Founder & Director, Gurukul Group of Educational Wing, Mangaldai; Mallika Das Singh, Founder & Director, Lakshya International School, Tezpur; and Anuraag Saraf, Founder & Director, Mind Matters Educational Group, Guwahati. The discussion emphasised ethical use of technology, inclusive digital access, blended learning models and the importance of fostering critical thinking and digital citizenship across all stages of education.
Panel 3, titled “Bridging Education and Employability: Skills for the 21st Century Workforce”, brought the spotlight on aligning academic frameworks with evolving industry demands and employability outcomes. Moderated by Prof. Himanshu Panchal, Vice Chancellor, EdTech Skills University, Tinsukia, the panel featured Kuldip Sarma, Co-Founder & Pro-Chancellor, Medhavi Skills University, Singtam; Manik Kathuria, Regional Account Director, Coursera; Maj. Gen. B. D. Wadhwa, AVSM, Pro Chancellor (Emeritus), IILM University, Greater Noida; Prof. (Dr.) K. V. S. Sarma, Vice Chancellor, National Law University and Judicial Academy, Guwahati; Dr. Bibhas Deb, Vice Chancellor, Maharaja Bir Bikram University, Agartala; Prof. (Dr.) Ajeya Jha, Vice Chancellor, Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai; and Dr. Debmalya Bhattacharya, Pro Vice Chancellor, MIT University of Meghalaya. The discussion underscored the importance of industry-aligned curricula, experiential learning, micro-credentials, leadership development and strong academia–industry partnerships in preparing a future-ready workforce for the Northeast and beyond.
Panel 4, titled “Reimagining Higher Education in the Digital Era: Transformation, Trends & Pathways”, explored how universities are navigating digital disruption while rethinking academic delivery, governance and student engagement. Moderated by Prof. (Dr.) Prakash Divakaran, Vice Chancellor, Himalayan University, Itanagar, the panel featured Subrato Ganguly, Senior Manager – Business Development, Meritto; Prof. (Dr.) Gauri Dutt Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya; Prof. Narendra S. Chaudhari, Vice Chancellor, Assam Science & Technology University, Guwahati; Prof. Ajanta Borgohain Rajkonwar, Vice Chancellor, Assam Women’s University, Jorhat; Dr. Alicia Gatphoh, Vice Chancellor, The ICFAI University, Meghalaya; Dr. Sagar Onkarrao Manjare, Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University, Meghalaya; and Prof. Dipak Sinha, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, Lumami. The discussion highlighted digital transformation strategies, evolving pedagogies, data-driven decision-making and collaborative pathways essential for building resilient and future-ready higher education institutions.
Panel 5, titled “AI, Innovation & Inclusion: Reimagining Education for Tomorrow’s Northeast”, examined the transformative role of artificial intelligence and innovation in creating equitable, accessible and future-focused education systems. Moderated by Prof. (Dr.) K. Sai Prasad, Dean – College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dayananda Sagar University, Bengaluru, the panel featured Viswajeet Biswal, Vice President, KollegeApply.com; Prof. Pranveer Singh, Pro Vice Chancellor, Assam down town University, Guwahati; Prof. Ch. Ibohal Singh, Dean, Students’ Welfare, Manipur University, Imphal; and Dr. Binud Ch. Borah, Registrar, Assam Women’s University, Jorhat, Assam. The discussion underscored the importance of ethical AI adoption, innovation-driven pedagogy and inclusive digital strategies to ensure that technological advancements translate into meaningful learning outcomes for students across the Northeast.
Industry Speeches
The first industry speech, “Samsung for Education”, was delivered by Sanjeev Sarma, General Manager, Samsung India, who highlighted Samsung’s initiatives to support digital classrooms and enable future-ready learning through technology-driven education solutions.
The second industry speech, “Inclusivity of Para-Sports in the Sports Ecosystem”, was presented by Rajib Dey, General Secretary, Paralympic Association of Assam and National Coach (India) for Swimming & Para Swimming, who emphasised the need for inclusive sports education and equal opportunities for athletes with disabilities.
The third industry speech, “Why Student Enrollment Doesn’t Need More Tools”, by Subrato Ganguly, Senior Manager – Business Development, Meritto, offered a fresh perspective on simplifying enrollment processes by focusing on strategy, experience and meaningful engagement rather than adding more technology layers.
The fourth industry speech, “Turning Education Reform into Reality: AI and Blockchain for Global Academic Mobility”, was delivered by Naim Shekh, Vice President, TruScholar, who demonstrated how emerging technologies can enable secure, transparent and globally recognised academic credentials.
The fifth industry speech, “MasterSoft for Higher Education”, was presented by Krishna Kumar, Vice President of Sales, MasterSoft, highlighting digital solutions designed to strengthen academic administration and institutional efficiency.
The sixth industry speech, “SkillWallet as Credit Course: Creating Industry-Ready Talent Pool in the Northeast”, was delivered by Sridevi Sira, Vice President – Strategic Partnerships, Smartbridge Educational Services Pvt. Ltd., focusing on integrating skill-based credit courses to enhance employability and workforce readiness.
Roundtable Discussion
The summit also featured an engaging Roundtable Discussion titled “Beyond Devices: Building Integrated Smart Campuses with Connected Classrooms”, which brought together school leaders and education practitioners to explore holistic approaches to digital transformation in education. Moderated by Sanjeev Sarma, General Manager, Samsung India, the discussion saw active participation from Rahul A. Saikia, Managing Director, Holy Mary International School, Guwahati; Monmoyuree Borkotoky, Principal, Delhi Public School, Khanapara, Guwahati; Dr. Bandana Baruah, Principal, Army Public School, Narangi, Guwahati; Sekh Abdul Firuz, Managing Director & Principal, Rupkonwar Academy, Changsari; Dr. Durlav Sarkar, Founder & Director, Gurukul Group of Educational Wing, Mangaldai; Diganta Halder, Principal, Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti, Guwahati; Jugal Chandra Borah, Principal, Faculty Higher Secondary School, North Guwahati; Dr. Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director, Sai Vikash Educational Institution, Guwahati; Krishna Baruah, Principal, Army Public School, Dinjan, Dibrugarh; Mohan Raghavan, Director, Mind Matters Educational Group, Guwahati; Sulipi Halder, Principal, Modern Public Academy, Alikash, Guwahati; Diwan Siraj Munir, Executive Director & CEO, Sublime Academy, Barpeta; Maya Fernandes, Principal, The down town School, Guwahati; Dr. Nitai Pradhan, Principal, Good Shepherd’s Home English Medium High School, Nagaon; Anuraag Saraf, Founder & Director, Mind Matters Educational Group, Guwahati; Dr. Shivani Johri, Principal, Modern Public Academy, Rampur; Bipul Choudhary, Principal, Tezpur Gurukul School, Tezpur; Gariasi Dutta, Chairperson, The down town Group Schools, Guwahati; and Sharafudheen Arimbra Malappuram, Director, Funoon Academy, Barpeta. The roundtable emphasised moving beyond hardware adoption to creating integrated smart campuses, focusing on connected classrooms, teacher readiness, data-driven systems and student-centric learning environments.
Valedictory Session
The summit concluded with a dignified Valedictory Session and Felicitation & Award Ceremony, marking a fitting close to a day of impactful discussions and knowledge exchange. Dr. M. S. Lakshmi Priya, IAS, Secretary – Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department (SEED) and Mission Director, Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour, sharing valuable perspectives on strengthening skill ecosystems and enhancing employability outcomes in alignment with regional and national priorities. The session concluded with a Thank You Note by Kumar Chandan Anand, Founder, CEO & Group Editor, ArdorComm Media Group, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, speakers, partners and participants for their contributions in making the summit a meaningful platform for advancing future-ready education in the Northeast.
Celebrating Excellence: ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026
A major highlight of the event was the ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026, which honoured individuals, institutions, EdTech startups and corporate organisations that have demonstrated excellence, innovation and leadership in education during transformative times.
The awards celebrated contributions across six key segments:
- Preschools
- School Education
- Higher Education
- Skills & Training
- EdTech Startups
- EdTech Corporate
Awardees were recognised for driving meaningful change through innovation, re-skilling initiatives, technology adoption, inclusive practices and impact-led education models. The recognition not only celebrated achievement but also aimed to inspire the wider education community to push boundaries and reimagine learning.
Building Momentum for a Smarter Tomorrow
Beyond discussions and awards, the summit served as a collaborative platform, enabling educators, policymakers, startups and industry leaders to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and collectively envision the future of education in the Northeast.
The strong participation and high-quality deliberations reinforced a clear message: the Northeast is not just catching up—it is leading in shaping contextually relevant, inclusive and future-ready education models.
Looking Ahead
As ArdorComm Media Group continues its mission to amplify voices that matter in education, the Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 – Guwahati stands out as a milestone event—one that celebrated progress, acknowledged changemakers and set the agenda for the next phase of educational growth in the region.
With renewed momentum, shared purpose and collaborative spirit, the journey towards a future-ready Northeast has well and truly begun.
Event Glimpses: https://ardorcomm-media.com/aelsa/aelsaguwahati-glimpses/
Event Website: https://ardorcomm-media.com/aelsa/