ArdorComm Media Bureau
November 2, 2026
Bringing together some of the brightest minds and influential voices from India’s education ecosystem, the ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 successfully concluded in Pune, Maharashtra, on 30 October 2026. Organised by ArdorComm Media Group, the flagship event revolved around the theme “Maharashtra’s Education Without Boundaries: Building Institutions for the Future.”
The summit served as a vibrant platform for academicians, educationists, institutional leaders, policymakers, technology experts, HR professionals, entrepreneurs, and EdTech innovators to deliberate on the evolving landscape of education and explore pathways towards building future-ready institutions.
With Maharashtra continuing to strengthen its position as a leading destination for education, research, technology, and innovation, Pune provided an ideal setting for conversations around the future of learning, institutional transformation, and the growing intersection of education and industry.
Exploring the Changing Landscape of Education
As artificial intelligence, digital technologies, evolving industry requirements, and emerging skill demands reshape the education ecosystem, the summit brought important conversations to the forefront. Discussions highlighted the need for educational institutions to move beyond conventional approaches and embrace innovation, technology integration, experiential learning, and industry collaboration.
The event emphasised the importance of building an education ecosystem that is inclusive, accessible, technology-enabled, and aligned with the aspirations of a rapidly changing workforce.
Through insightful discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, participants explored how institutions can strengthen their academic frameworks, encourage research and entrepreneurship, adopt emerging technologies, and equip learners with the competencies required to thrive in the future.
Industry Leaders and Keynote Speakers
The inaugural session, themed “Maharashtra’s Education Without Boundaries: Building Institutions for the Future,” commenced with a welcome address by Kumar Chandan Anand, Founder, CEO & Group Editor, ArdorComm Media Group. The session was graced by Deepak Singla (I.A.S.), Commissioner, Sports and Youth Services, Maharashtra State, as the Guest of Honour, and Dr. Suresh A. Patil, Joint Director, Directorate of Technical Education, Pune Region, Govt. of Maharashtra, as the Special Guest. The session also featured guest speakers Dr. Parag Kalkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, and Dr. Shankar S Mantha, President, Ramdeobaba University, Nagpur and Former Chairman, AICTE.
The first panel discussion, titled “Who Owns the Future of Learning – Institutions, Industry or Technology?”, was moderated by Dr. Harshita Sharma, Founder – Director, Brainstorm International, Pune. The panel featured Dr. Rasika Panicker, Principal & Director, Rosary High School, Badlapur, Mumbai; Dr. Gaurav Tiwari, Founder Principal, P.P. Gagangiri Maharaj International School & Junior College, Khopoli; Debika Chatterji, Director – Principal, JBCN International School, Mumbai; and Dr. Rajesh Prasad, Principal, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University College of Engineering, Pune.
The second panel discussion, titled “Smart School Campuses: Are Schools Ready for the Intelligent, Connected Campus?”, was moderated by Dr. Seema Negi, Director Principal, Sanjeevani World School, Mumbai. The panel featured Swati Popat Vats, President, Podar Education Network, Mumbai; Ramesh Tupe, Chairman, SGT International School & Junior College, Mumbai; and Renu Nair, Regional Head, Kidzonia International School, Pune.
The third panel discussion, titled “Building the Knowledge Economy: Can Universities Become Engines of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Job Creation?”, was moderated by Dr. Manoj Apte, Professor & Director, Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research, Pune. The panel featured Dr. Shankar S Mantha, President, Ramdeobaba University, Nagpur and Former Chairman, AICTE; Prof. (Dr.) Sudarshan Sanap, Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Sciences, MIT Art Design and Technology University, Pune; Dr. Geetali Tilak, Vice-Chancellor, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune; Prof. (Dr.) Raviraja N. Seetharam, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune; and Sohom Dutta, Senior Vice President, Elevate Campuses Ltd.
The fourth panel discussion, titled “The Human Advantage: What Skills Will Remain Irreplaceable in an AI-Driven World?”, was moderated by Dr. Madhavi Dhole, Director, SIES College of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai. The panel featured Dr. Vilas Sapkal, Vice Chancellor, MGM University, Chh. Sambhajinagar; Dr. Sohan Chitlange, Vice Chancellor, Alard University, Pune; and Prof. (Dr.) Manish Bhalla, Vice Chancellor, D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune.
The fifth panel discussion, titled “From Degrees to Demonstrable Skills: Is the Future of Employability Beyond Credentials?”, was moderated by Dr. Jaywant V. Shelar, Vice Chancellor, ITM Skills University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. The panel featured Dr. Sunil Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Dr. P. A. Inamdar University, Pune, Maharashtra; Dr. Shashank D. Dalvi, Vice Chancellor, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra; Dr. Ganesh Rao, Director – Pune Business School and Vice President (West) – AIMS, Maharashtra; Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Madhukar Jalnekar, Director, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune, Maharashtra; and Dr. Manimala Puri, Group Director, ASM Group of Institutes, Pune, Maharashtra.
Roundtable Discussion
The summit also featured a special roundtable discussion titled “From Smart Classrooms to Intelligent Campuses: Powering Education Transformation Through AI & Innovation,” moderated by Saurabh Karemore, General Manager – West, D.Sol Biz, Samsung, and Niraj Kumar, Chief Manager, D.Sol Biz, Samsung. The roundtable brought together Pradeep Nayar, Chief Manager – Marketing, Samsung; Dr. Raj Salunke, Chairman, Sharada Group of Education, Solapur; Suresh Marutrav Kote, Chairman, Hind English Medium School, Gurukool, Pune; Dr. Harshita Sharma, Founder – Director, Brainstorm International, Pune; Ashok Sachdev, Founder & CEO, Chitrakoot International School, Ahilyanagar; Dr. Yasmin Pirzada, Founder & Trustee, Belvedere Spring School International, Mumbai; Mehjabeen Nadaf Khan, Founder & Director, BlueBird School, Hadaspur; Monal Dugad, Managing Director, Pushpa International School, Pune; Theo Hiwale, Managing Director, Royal International School, Pune; Dr. Nicholas Correa, Academic Director & Principal, Coral Bells International School, Navi Mumbai; Dr. Manisha Shewale, Director, Vikas Pratishthan’s CBSE & ICSE Schools & Maharashtra State Advisor (AIPA) & Core Member (WASP), Pune; Namrata Majhail, Director-Principal, The Orchid School, Pune; Gunjan Srivastava, Director Principal, The Orbis Schools, Pune; Jyotsna Mishra, Director, Alard Public School, Hinjawadi, Pune; Prof. (Dr.) Nilesh R. Berad, Director, MET’s Institute of Management, Nasik; Dr. Anamika Singh, Director, Modern Institute of Business Management, Pune; Nirmal Waddan, Director-Principal, The Kalyani School, Manjri, BK, Pune; Ashwini Kumar, Director-Principal, Pune Global School, Pune; Dr. Monika Gupta, Founder Principal & Director, Pushpa International School, Pune; Prof. Dr. K. P. Moholkar, Dean Academics, JSPM’S Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering, Pune; Dr. Shalini Sinha, Director, Chetana’s RK Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai; Dr. Prashant Kasabe, Director, The Keystone Ankuram School, Pune; Jacqueline Mahadik, Principal & Academic Director – Prarthna English School, Member – Sahodaya Schools Association, Mumbai & Metropolitan Region, Mumbai; Dr. Madhavi Dhole, Director, SIES College of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai; Dr. Shailesh M. Hambarde, Dean Academics, JSPM’s Jayawantrao Sawant College of Engineering, Pune; and Dr. Gauri Atul Benke, Director, Bloomingdale International School, Pune. The discussion provided a platform for education leaders and technology experts to exchange perspectives on leveraging AI, digital infrastructure, and innovation to create intelligent, connected, and future-ready educational campuses.
Industry Speeches
The Industry Speech on “Smart Classrooms, Smarter Learning: How Samsung is Transforming Education with AI-Powered Displays” was delivered by Saurabh Karemore, General Manager West, D.Sol Biz, SAMSUNG, and Niraj Kumar, Chief Manager, D.Sol Biz, SAMSUNG.
The Industry Speech on “DrillBit: Plagiarism and AI Detection Tool” was delivered by Ronit Arun Sagare, Business Development Executive, DrillBit SoftTech India Pvt. Ltd.
Celebrating Excellence at ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026
A major highlight of the summit was the ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026, which recognised and celebrated the exceptional contributions of individuals, educational institutions, educators, EdTech companies, startups, and organisations working towards transforming the education sector.
The awards recognised excellence across key segments, including:
- Preschool Education
- School Education
- Higher Education
- Skills & Training
- EdTech Startups
- EdTech Corporate
The awards platform celebrated the vision, dedication, leadership, and innovative initiatives of those making a meaningful difference in teaching, learning, institutional development, and employability outcomes.
By recognising outstanding contributions and impactful practices, ArdorComm Media Group reaffirmed its commitment to encouraging innovation, inspiring excellence, and creating greater visibility for education leaders and institutions across the country.
Strengthening Collaboration Across the Education Ecosystem
Beyond the panel discussions and awards, the summit provided opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and meaningful interactions among stakeholders from different segments of the education sector.
The gathering reinforced the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, government bodies, industry leaders, technology providers, and skill development organisations in addressing emerging challenges and unlocking new opportunities.
As India progresses towards its vision of becoming a globally competitive knowledge economy, such platforms play an important role in bringing stakeholders together to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore collaborative solutions.
ArdorComm Media Group’s Commitment to Transforming Education
Through the ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026, ArdorComm Media Group continued its endeavour to serve as a collaboration catalyst for the education ecosystem.
The platform reflects ArdorComm’s commitment to bringing together thought leaders, decision-makers, innovators, and changemakers to encourage conversations that can influence the future of education.
The Pune edition further strengthened this vision by creating a space for meaningful dialogue on artificial intelligence, skills, innovation, institutional excellence, and the changing expectations of learners and employers.
Moving Towards a Future-Ready Maharashtra
The successful conclusion of the ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 marked another important milestone in ArdorComm Media Group’s journey of connecting education stakeholders and celebrating excellence across the sector.
The conversations and insights shared during the summit reinforced a common vision: the future of education will depend not merely on technological adoption but on how effectively institutions combine innovation with human capabilities, industry relevance, inclusivity, and academic excellence.
As Maharashtra continues to strengthen its educational and innovation ecosystem, the summit served as a reminder that building future-ready institutions requires collective vision, collaborative action, and a willingness to embrace change.
With the spirit of “Maharashtra’s Education Without Boundaries: Building Institutions for the Future,” ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 concluded on a note of collaboration, inspiration, and renewed commitment towards shaping the future of education.
Event Website: https://ardorcomm-media.com/aelsa/
Event Glimpses: https://ardorcomm-media.com/aelsa/aelsapune-glimpses/