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IIT Madras launches ‘PREM’ (Parents’ Role in Encouraging and Mentoring) to strengthen the students’ support system

/ Press Release

Commemorating the World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September), the Institute introduced several mechanisms and organized week-long activities as a part of its wellness initiatives on Campus   CHENNAI, 9th September 2026: On the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is reaching out to the parents of its students to provide a well-rounded support system to its students. It organised an interactive session aimed at helping them better understand, communicate with and support their children during their academic journey. World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by International Association for Suicide Prevention in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to break the stigma of silence. As part of its week-long observance, the Institute also organised ‘PREM – Parents’ Role in Encouraging and Mentoring, an interactive online session for parents of IIT Madras students. It was conducted today (9th September 2026) by Dr. Yamini Kannapan, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Behavioural Science, Kauvery Hospital. The session was designed to provide parents with practical guidance on understanding students’ needs, communicating effectively, and supporting their emotional and mental well-being. It recognised that the transition to college was an important phase not only for students but also for their families whose support and encouragement is vital for their overall well-being. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Happiness is a collective responsibility. As an Institute we are continuously evolving methods to reduce stress among our bright children. The PREM and SAFE initiatives are launched for this purpose. Very thankful to Dr. Yamini Kannapan for bringing out the SAFE manual which will provide guidance to the parents towards identifying and handling children with stress.” ‘SAFE INITIATIVE FOR HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS’ During the occasion, Prof. V. Kamakoti also launched ‘SAFE – Building Psychological Safety for High-Achieving Students’ handbook for parents of IIT Madras students. Authored by Dr. Yamini Kannapan, after her extensive experience of working with the IIT Madras students, the book translates psychological principles into practical guidance for parents navigating the pressures faced by high-achieving young people. Based on the ‘SAFE framework’ (Secure Base, Autonomy Support, Failure-Friendly Mindset and Early Recognition), the book encourages parents to create an environment where students feel safe, accepted and able to discuss struggles and setbacks without fear of judgement. The book can be accessed from the website of the Office of Dean (Students) (www.dost.iitm.ac.in) Further, Prof. Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean (Students), added, “We consider parents as important partners in ensuring the wellbeing of our students on Campus. As a part of our Kushal initiative, we regularly reach out to them through Whatsapp to ensure that they remain connected to their wards and in case their child is unhappy for any reason, it is flagged to appropriate authority for possible resolution.” MiTR WELLNESS WEBSITE A further highlight of the event was the launch of MiTR Wellness Website by Prof. V. Kamakoti. It was developed by the MiTR student team with the guidance and support of Prof. Sarith P. Sathian, Advisor, MiTR, Prof. Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean (Students) and Prof. Suresh Kumar Rayala, Associate Dean (Wellness). The platform brought together wellness resources and support information in one student-friendly space. The website provides students with access to faculty coordinators across departments, hostel-wise student coordinators, emergency and useful contacts, information on MITR initiatives and past events, student experiences, alumni information and messages from current and former advisors. It is designed to make available wellness support easier to discover and access. IIT Madras also launched a Wellness App for appointment booking, enabling students to conveniently book confidential counselling sessions with wellness professionals based on their choice and language preference through the Office of the Dean (Students) website. As an observance to the World Suicide Prevention Day, MiTR is organizing a week-long series of events and activities on Campus including a 5k marathon held on 6th September 2026, a talk by Dr. Kandaswamy Paramasivan, Former Director General of Police, Govt. of TN on “From Godavari Hostel to the Uniform – What nobody tells you about falling and getting up”, Blindfold Conversation Activities, and a lecture on ‘Win the Mind’s Battle: Mental Resilience Decoded’ by Dr Sweta Adatia, Neurologist Cognitive Science Brain Coach and Founder, Limitless Brain Lab, scheduled on 10th September 2026, among other events. ( Disclaimer: This report is generated from PRO services. ‘ArdorComm Media’ holds no responsibility for its content. )

IIT Madras launches ‘PREM’ (Parents’ Role in Encouraging and Mentoring) to strengthen the students’ support system Read More »

NIT Rourkela to Confer 2,033 Degrees; Women Account for 25% of Graduates

/ Education Community

The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela is set to confer degrees on 2,033 students at its 24th convocation on September 12, with women accounting for about one-fourth of the graduating cohort. A total of 1,525 men and 508 women will receive degrees across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. The figures mean that women constitute nearly 25 per cent of the recipients, compared with 75 per cent men. The gender disparity is most pronounced in the institute’s largest graduating programme, B.Tech, where 911 students—including 723 men and 188 women—will receive degrees. Women therefore make up around 21 per cent of the B.Tech graduating cohort. Among M.Tech graduates, 398 are men and 116 are women. The two-year M.Sc programme has a comparatively narrower gender gap, with 108 male and 74 female graduates. At the doctoral level, 115 men and 75 women are set to receive Ph.D degrees, putting the share of women among doctoral recipients at nearly 40 per cent. The convocation will be attended by NITI Aayog Member Abhay Karandikar as chief guest, with S N Subrahmanyan, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, NIT Rourkela, also present. Graduating students will receive their degree certificates digitally through DigiLocker. The institute will also recognise academic and co-curricular excellence by presenting 86 medals and awards. These include 11 Institute Gold Medals, six Endowment Gold Medals, eight Endowment Awards and 61 Institute Silver Medals. The honours will recognise achievements across academics, research, projects, sports and other areas. NIT Rourkela will additionally present its Distinguished Alumnus Award 2026 to two former students. Rajarshi Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of ONGC Videsh Limited, will be honoured in the industry and management category, while Gyana Ranjan Mohanty, Managing Director of Corrosion Protection Limited and co-founder of B Engineers & Builders Pvt Ltd, will receive the award for entrepreneurship and public life. Source: Indian Express  

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India’s Elderly Population Set to Double by 2050; Government Plans Expanded Care Ecosystem

/ Health & Wellness Community

India is preparing to strengthen its healthcare, housing and caregiving infrastructure as the country’s elderly population continues to grow rapidly, with the number of senior citizens expected to nearly double by 2050. Sudhansh Pant, Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, said senior citizens currently account for an estimated 16-17 crore of India’s population and their numbers are expected to double over the next two decades. Rising life expectancy, supported by better healthcare and improved living standards, is further increasing the need for specialised services for older people. The government is working towards building a broader ecosystem covering healthcare, housing, caregiving and other support services. Under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, senior citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for free treatment with health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is currently supporting around 800 care homes for senior citizens across the country and assisting state governments in operating such facilities. A proposal to introduce provisions for day-care homes for elderly people is also under consideration. To make information about senior citizen services easier to access, the ministry has launched the ‘Jeevan’ app, which brings various government schemes and facilities together on a single platform. The government is also seeking to address the growing demand for professional caregivers, particularly in urban areas. The ‘Shatayu’ caregiver dashboard enables elderly people requiring assistance to identify caregivers available in their locality and establish service arrangements. The country’s ageing population is simultaneously creating a significant economic opportunity. According to the ASLI-JLL report, India’s Silver Economy: From Niche to Necessity, India’s senior living market could reach a potential value of USD 10.1 billion by 2030 under a policy-driven scenario. Meeting the projected demand would require an estimated USD 7.7 billion in capital investment. Rajagopal G, Chairman of the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI), said India’s ageing transition was already underway and called for building the necessary ecosystem without delay. The country currently has more than 166 million people aged above 60, a figure projected to reach nearly 346 million by 2050. The organised senior living sector had 25,050 senior housing units as of June 2026, but its penetration remains low at around 1.5 per cent. This compares with 6-7 per cent in the United States and 14-15 per cent in New Zealand. Karan Singh Sodi, Senior Managing Director at JLL, said the sector could expand to nearly 74,000 units by 2030. However, assisted living remains a significant shortfall. India currently has only around 2,100 assisted-living beds against an estimated requirement of 11,000 by 2030. Industry stakeholders have called for faster development of quality senior housing, along with greater focus on assisted care, care financing, workforce training and a comprehensive continuum of elderly care services. Source: PTI  

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Bharat Innovates 2026: Education Minister Releases Publication Celebrating India’s Deep-Tech Innovation

/ Governance Community

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday released a commemorative publication documenting the first edition of Bharat Innovates, held in Nice, France, from June 14 to 16, 2026, as part of the India-France Year of Innovation. Speaking at the event in New Delhi, Joshi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had consistently placed innovation, research, technology and entrepreneurship at the heart of India’s development agenda. He said Bharat Innovates reflected this vision by giving young innovators a platform to showcase their work, connect with global stakeholders and explore opportunities beyond India. Joshi added that initiatives such as Bharat Innovates reflected the confidence and aspirations of young Indians while highlighting the capabilities of the country’s higher education and research ecosystem. Connecting young talent with industry, opportunities and international networks could help unlock the full potential of India’s innovation landscape, he said. Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar emphasised the role of higher education institutions in advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat. He said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 had prioritised research, innovation, creativity and scientific temper, while initiatives such as Bharat Innovates offered platforms to convert these priorities into tangible outcomes. The commemorative publication traces the initiative’s journey, from identifying and selecting promising deep-tech innovators across India to showcasing their technologies internationally in Nice. It also documents their engagements with industry, investors and other ecosystem stakeholders, along with the outcomes and collaborations that emerged from the programme. Bharat Innovates is a Ministry of Education initiative focused on identifying and nurturing high-potential deep-tech innovations emerging from India’s higher education and research ecosystem. The programme aims to connect innovators with industry and investors, support technology commercialisation and provide access to global markets and supply chains. The inaugural edition featured 120 deep-tech startups and innovators and 45 research projects from across India. Participants received opportunities to demonstrate their technologies, interact with industry and investors, explore international partnerships and identify potential global market opportunities. The publication also highlights the scientific capabilities and entrepreneurial potential of Indian students, researchers, faculty members, startups, higher education institutions and innovation ecosystem partners. Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Ajay Kumar Sood, NITI Aayog Member Abhay Karandikar, Department of Higher Education Secretary Deepti Gaur Mukerjee and senior Education Ministry officials attended the hybrid event. Directors and senior representatives from IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras and IIT Bombay, along with officials from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Defence Production and IN-SPACe, also participated. Source: PIB

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India’s White-Collar Hiring Rises 14% in August, AI and ML Roles Drive Demand

/ Human Resource Community

White-collar recruitment in India increased 14 per cent year-on-year in August, with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) positions emerging as key drivers of the growth, according to a report by Naukri. The Naukri JobSpeak Index rose to 3,028 in August from 2,664 during the same month last year. The report noted that the increase came against the backdrop of a delayed festive calendar, with a larger share of the festive season falling in September this year compared with August last year. Among major sectors, the automotive industry recorded the highest growth at 19 per cent, followed by healthcare at 16 per cent and retail at 15 per cent. Insurance hiring increased 12 per cent, while IT grew 11 per cent. Banking and FMCG recorded 10 per cent growth each, while BPO/ITES, Oil & Gas and Real Estate each rose 8 per cent. Pharma and biotech hiring remained unchanged. Meanwhile, hospitality and travel declined 4 per cent, while education hiring fell 8 per cent. Hiring among freshers increased 15 per cent. Demand for professionals with four to seven years of experience rose 10 per cent, while recruitment for those with eight to 12 years of experience increased 16 per cent. Hiring grew 18 per cent for professionals with 13 to 16 years of experience and 13 per cent for those with more than 16 years of experience. At the functional level, healthcare and life sciences recorded 34 per cent growth, followed by media production and entertainment at 33 per cent, engineering-hardware and networks at 30 per cent, and BFSI, investments and trading at 29 per cent. Hyderabad led hiring growth among major metropolitan cities at 23 per cent year-on-year, followed by Kolkata at 22 per cent and Chennai at 20 per cent. Bengaluru and Pune each recorded 14 per cent growth, while Delhi-NCR and Mumbai registered increases of 10 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. Emerging employment hubs also posted strong gains, with Bhubaneswar witnessing 32 per cent growth and Raipur 23 per cent. Surat and Ranchi also recorded notable increases. Within IT and software services, hiring grew 11 per cent in August. Kolkata emerged as the fastest-growing major city for IT recruitment, with hiring up 33 per cent, followed by Hyderabad at 23 per cent. AI/ML hiring within the sector increased 22 per cent, while demand for IT and information security professionals climbed 32 per cent, underscoring continued demand for specialised technology skills. Hiring by global capability centres (GCCs) also expanded 10 per cent during the month. Hyderabad led GCC recruitment growth at 28 per cent, followed by Chennai at 21 per cent. Hitesh Oberoi, Managing Director and CEO of Info Edge (India), said the hiring growth should be viewed in the context of the festive calendar, as the bulk of the festive period has shifted to September this year from August last year. Source: IANS  

India’s White-Collar Hiring Rises 14% in August, AI and ML Roles Drive Demand Read More »

Star Sports, FanCode Secure India Broadcast Rights for Historic India-Japan T20I

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

Star Sports Network and FanCode have acquired the exclusive India broadcast and streaming rights, respectively, for the one-off men’s T20I between India and Japan, rights holder ITW Universe announced. The historic fixture is scheduled for September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi, Japan. It will mark the first T20I encounter between the senior men’s teams of India and Japan and is set to begin at 9:30 am IST (1 pm local time). ITW Universe holds the global sports production, broadcast distribution and commercial marketing rights for the match and is managing its international distribution and commercialisation. ITW Universe co-founder Bhairav Shanth said the interest surrounding the fixture highlights its potential to attract audiences beyond cricket’s traditional markets. FanCode CEO and co-founder Yannick Colaco said the platform was looking forward to bringing the historic match to Indian viewers. Prashant Khanna, head of sports rights and innovation at JioStar, said JioStar was working with ITW Universe to make the fixture available to audiences through its linear platforms. The match has been organised by the Japan Cricket Association under its ‘Sport 75’ initiative, which commemorates 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. The fixture will also take place alongside the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Ahead of the match, the Japan Cricket Association is increasing the spectator capacity at the Sano International Cricket Ground as interest builds around the landmark encounter. Source: Economic Times

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Karnataka Proposes 15% Government Seat Quota for Rural Students in Professional Courses

/ Education Community

The Karnataka government has proposed a new reservation framework that would earmark 15 per cent of government seats in professional courses for eligible students from rural backgrounds. Under the draft rules, half of the proposed quota—7.5 per cent—would be reserved horizontally for students who completed Classes 1 to 10 in government schools or government pre-university colleges located in rural areas of Karnataka. These institutions must be administered by the School Education Department. The remaining 7.5 per cent would be allocated to eligible candidates who studied from Classes 1 to 10 in schools or educational institutions located in rural areas of the state, irrespective of whether the institutions are government-run. The proposal is part of the draft Karnataka Selection of Candidates for Admission to Government Seats in Professional Educational Institutions (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The Higher Education Department notified the draft on September 5 under Section 14 of the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1984. The new provisions will take effect once they are published in the Official Gazette. The government has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and other affected persons. Any representations submitted within 15 days of the draft’s publication in the Official Gazette will be considered before the rules are finalised. Source: PTI  

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DAC Clears Defence Acquisition Proposals Worth Over ₹1.10 Lakh Crore

/ Governance Community

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposals worth more than ₹1.10 lakh crore for the Indian Armed Forces, with around 98 per cent of the procurements expected to be sourced from Indian industry. For the Indian Army, the approvals include Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers (MMLs), Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System. The CBRN Recce Vehicles will help detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated by hazardous CBRN agents. HMVs are expected to strengthen troop mobility, logistics and operational support in difficult terrain, while MMLs will enable rapid and responsive mine-laying operations. The ALHs will support complex missions across diverse terrains and operational conditions. Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System will provide fighting formations with essential crossing capabilities during military operations across varied terrain. For the Indian Navy, the DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity for the acquisition of Arudhra Radars and for the design, development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines (MGTs). The Arudhra systems will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various naval air stations. The indigenous development of MGTs, which are used for warship propulsion, is also aimed at reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. For the Indian Air Force, the Council cleared several proposals aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport platforms and helicopters. Approval was also given for Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers (GBMPJs) and the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) system. The GBMPJ is designed to disrupt and jam adversary radar systems, while DEFSAC will replace paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with interoperable smart cards based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The latest approvals underline the government’s push towards greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with the overwhelming majority of the proposed acquisitions expected to benefit domestic defence companies and strengthen India’s indigenous military-industrial capabilities. Source: News on AIR

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India Must Build World-Class Medical Devices, Government to Fund Testing Equipment Fully: Goyal

/ Governance Community

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday urged India’s pharmaceutical and healthcare industry to focus on developing high-quality medical devices that can compete in global markets, assuring that the government is prepared to fund the entire cost of acquiring advanced testing equipment. Addressing two pharma industry events, Goyal called for stronger domestic capabilities and the creation of modern shared testing infrastructure where Indian medical devices can be tested, benchmarked against global standards and certified for international markets. He said the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is willing to support 100 per cent of the cost of the best available testing equipment, and encouraged the industry to come forward with proposals for setting up modern testing laboratories. Goyal also stressed the need for greater technology collaboration, joint ventures and partnerships with global innovators and major pharmaceutical companies. He called for co-designing and co-developing products, licensing technologies where necessary and establishing joint research and development centres with other countries. Highlighting India’s cost advantage, the minister said improvements in design capabilities, patent and copyright frameworks and the broader intellectual property rights ecosystem are essential for positioning the country as a global innovation hub. He further urged insurers and health-tech companies to develop solutions that simplify the patient journey and enable faster reimbursements. The healthcare industry, he said, should also invest in training and certifying caregivers to create a workforce capable of delivering healthcare services that meet international standards. Goyal called for greater transparency in hospital treatment packages and warned healthcare providers against unethical practices. Any instance of patients being misled or cheated, he said, could damage the credibility and goodwill of both individual institutions and India’s healthcare sector. As part of efforts to expand medical value tourism, he proposed greater participation in international exhibitions, global hospital tie-ups and the creation of facilitation networks. He also suggested that overseas patients should be treated only at verified and NABH-accredited hospitals, emphasising that healthcare quality should remain consistent for both Indian and foreign patients. To make India more accessible to international patients, Goyal recommended creating a pool of trained interpreters covering multiple languages. Better communication, he said, would improve patient confidence and make interactions with healthcare providers smoother. Goyal said India’s pharmaceutical and healthcare ecosystem has the potential to strengthen the country’s global standing while generating substantial employment and business opportunities across drugs, medical devices and healthcare consumables. According to the minister, around 3.5 million patients have benefited from India’s medical value tourism ecosystem over the past seven years. He said India should now aim to increase this figure to 10 million international patients annually. Goyal added that India has the doctors, technical expertise and healthcare ecosystem required to achieve this ambition, provided the industry maintains high standards of quality, ethics, integrity and patient care. He also noted that countries engaged with India through free trade agreements and other business negotiations are showing strong demand for Indian pharmaceuticals as well as doctors, nurses, technicians and caregivers. Source: PTI

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ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 – Pune, to be held on 30th October 2026 in Pune, Maharashtra

/ Blogs

Education is undergoing one of the most significant transformations of the modern era. Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, changing workforce expectations, new-age skills and evolving learner needs are reshaping not only classrooms, but the very institutions and systems that support learning. In this rapidly changing environment, the question is no longer simply about how education should adapt to technology. The bigger question is: How can educational institutions, educators, policymakers and industry leaders work together to build an education ecosystem that is future-ready, inclusive and capable of creating opportunities without boundaries? This conversation will take centre stage at the ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 – Pune, scheduled for 30th October 2026 in Pune, Maharashtra, under the theme “Maharashtra’s Education Without Boundaries: Building Institutions for the Future.” Organised by ArdorComm Media Group, the summit will bring together education leaders, academicians, institutional heads, policymakers, HR professionals, EdTech innovators, entrepreneurs and industry experts to deliberate on the forces transforming education and employability. Pune: Where Education Meets Innovation Pune’s reputation as an education hub is deeply rooted in its history. Often referred to as the “Oxford of the East,” the city has developed into a vibrant ecosystem where education, research, technology, entrepreneurship and industry intersect. Its universities and educational institutions attract learners and academics from across India, while its technology and startup ecosystem has created new opportunities for collaboration between academia and industry. But Maharashtra’s educational story extends far beyond Pune. Cities such as Nagpur, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur, Solapur, Jalgaon, Satara, Ahmednagar and Wardha are increasingly contributing to the state’s broader education, skilling and innovation landscape. This geographic diversity presents an important opportunity: Can Maharashtra build an education ecosystem where access to quality learning, innovation and employability is not limited by geography? That is the larger conversation behind the summit’s theme of education without boundaries. From Digital Adoption to Intelligent Institutions Technology has already transformed the education sector. Digital classrooms, learning management systems, online courses, virtual collaboration and AI-powered tools are becoming increasingly familiar. But the next phase is likely to go much deeper. AI has the potential to influence curriculum design, personalised learning, assessment, student support, institutional administration and research. At the same time, educational leaders must consider questions around responsible AI adoption, data privacy, digital inclusion and the changing role of teachers. The challenge, therefore, is not simply to make institutions more digital. It is to make them smarter, more responsive and more human-centric. The summit will provide a platform to examine what this transformation means for institutions and the people who lead them. Who Owns the Future of Learning? One of the central questions confronting education today is whether the future of learning will be shaped primarily by institutions, industry or technology. The answer may ultimately lie in collaboration. Universities and schools bring pedagogical expertise and a deep understanding of learners. Industry understands emerging workforce requirements. Technology can provide new tools to personalise, democratise and scale learning. Bringing these strengths together could help create an education system that moves beyond traditional boundaries. The ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit will explore this intersection and ask how different stakeholders can work together to prepare learners for an increasingly unpredictable future. Are Campuses Ready for the Intelligent Era? The concept of the smart campus is evolving. Tomorrow’s educational campus could be more connected, data-driven and responsive, with technology supporting everything from classroom experiences and campus management to student engagement and institutional decision-making. But technology alone does not create an intelligent campus. Institutions must also rethink infrastructure, faculty development, student services, cybersecurity, digital accessibility and organisational culture. The discussion around “Smart School Campuses: Are Schools Ready for the Intelligent, Connected Campus?” will therefore go beyond gadgets and infrastructure to explore what genuine institutional transformation should look like. Universities as Engines of the Knowledge Economy Higher education institutions are increasingly being asked to do more than award degrees. They are expected to become centres of research, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry collaboration and job creation. This shift is particularly important as India seeks to strengthen its knowledge economy and create opportunities for a young and ambitious workforce. The question is whether universities can evolve into innovation engines capable of translating research into real-world solutions, encouraging entrepreneurship and building stronger bridges with industry. For Maharashtra, with its combination of educational institutions, industrial strength, technology hubs and startup ecosystem, this could be a particularly powerful opportunity. The Human Advantage in an AI-Driven World As AI takes on an expanding range of cognitive and technical tasks, one question is becoming increasingly important: What will humans do best? Creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, adaptability, empathy, leadership and ethical decision-making are likely to become even more valuable as technology advances. This means education cannot focus exclusively on technical knowledge. Learners will need the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn throughout their careers. Educational institutions, therefore, have a crucial responsibility to develop not only employable graduates, but adaptable individuals capable of navigating an evolving world of work. From Degrees to Demonstrable Skills Employability is also undergoing a fundamental shift. A degree remains important, but employers increasingly need evidence of what candidates can actually do. Projects, portfolios, practical exposure, internships, industry certifications, problem-solving abilities and workplace-ready skills are becoming important components of the employability conversation. This raises a crucial question for educators and industry: Is the future of employability moving beyond credentials towards demonstrable skills? Bridging this gap will require closer collaboration between educational institutions, employers and the skilling ecosystem. ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026: Celebrating Those Creating Change While the summit will focus on the questions shaping the future, the ArdorComm Education Leadership Awards 2026 will celebrate the individuals and organisations already contributing to that future. The prestigious awards aim to recognise educators, academicians, institutions, innovators, EdTech companies, startups and organisations demonstrating excellence, leadership and innovation across the education ecosystem. The awards will recognise achievements across six key categories: Preschool Education School Education Higher Education Skills & Training EdTech Startups EdTech Corporate The awards are built around four core principles: Recognise Celebrate outstanding

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