A Transformative Gathering in the Heart of Jammu The ArdorComm – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2025, held on 28th November in Jammu, successfully convened distinguished educators, policymakers, corporate leaders, and innovators for a transformative dialogue on the future of learning. Centred on the theme “Redefining Skilling & Learning in the Digital Era: Empowering Future Leaders in J&K,” the summit highlighted the region’s growing momentum in adopting forward-thinking educational models. The event underscored how Jammu & Kashmir is poised to shape a new generation of skilled, tech-enabled, and future-ready learners by integrating digital tools, industry-driven curricula, and inclusive pedagogies that meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce landscape. Strengthening Education in Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir has made significant progress in enhancing access to quality education through greater digital equity, improved literacy, and NEP 2020-led reforms. Government initiatives such as Samagra Shiksha, Mid-Day Meal, and Diksha continue to support inclusive learning. The summit created a collaborative platform for all stakeholders to exchange insights and chart a unified path toward future-ready education ecosystems. Support from Esteemed Government Leaders The summit received heartfelt encouragement and goodwill messages from distinguished leaders of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, whose support added immense value to the event’s vision. Shri Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister (Public Works (R&B), Industries & Commerce, Mining, Labour & Employment and Skill Development Departments), conveyed his warm greetings and applauded ArdorComm’s efforts in fostering meaningful discussions around skilling, employability, and digital empowerment in the region. Ms. Sakeena Itoo, Hon’ble Minister for School Education, Higher Education, Health & Medical Education and Social Welfare Department, also extended her best wishes, appreciating the summit’s role in bringing together leaders committed to redefining learning pathways for the youth of J&K. Their support reinforced the importance of collaborative action in building a strong, future-ready educational ecosystem across the Union Territory. Industry Leaders and Keynote Speakers The inaugural session of the ArdorComm – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2025 set an inspiring tone with insightful perspectives from distinguished industry leaders and keynote speakers. Delivering the Welcome Address, Kumar Chandan Anand, Founder, CEO & Group Editor of ArdorComm Media Group, emphasised the importance of collaborative innovation in shaping a digitally empowered education ecosystem for Jammu & Kashmir. The session was graced by the Guest of Honour, Shahzad Alam, IAS, Director – Employment & Skill Development and MD – Mission YUVA, Govt. of J&K, who highlighted the government’s progressive initiatives aimed at strengthening youth employability and future-readiness. Adding depth to the discussion were the esteemed Keynote Speakers, Dr. S. K. Rathor, Founder, Chairman & MD, SANFORT Group of Schools, and Gagan Agrawal, Head – Academic Partnerships (North & Central India), IBM Career Education, both of whom shared compelling insights on redefining learning and skilling frameworks to align with the demands of the digital era. Their combined wisdom laid a strong foundation for the day’s conversations around empowering future leaders in the region. The first panel discussion, “Digital India in the Himalayas: Bridging the Tech Divide for Learning Equity,” brought together an esteemed lineup of academic leaders and innovators from across the region. The session was moderated by Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, Director, Institute of Management Sciences, Jammu, and featured distinguished panelists including Dr. Balbinder Singh Pathania, Executive Director, Dronacharya PG College, Kangra; Prof. (Dr.) Hanan Khalid Khan, Director, ASE Group of Institutions, Kashmir; Prof. (Dr.) C.V. Gopinath, Director, Majhighariani Institute of Technology and Science, Rayagada; Dr. Atul Hans, Director Academics, International Daily Rising School, Jammu; Anu Kaushal, Director – Training & Communications, Lamrin Tech Skills University, Ropar; Ikkz Ikbal, Principal, Maryam Memorial Institute Pandithpara Qaziabad, Srinagar; and Rajeev Sharma, Principal, J&K Police Public School, Jammu. Together, they contributed their diverse perspectives to this important conversation on ensuring equitable access to technology-driven learning in the Himalayan region. The second panel discussion, “Fostering Future Leaders: How Values-Based Education Can Inspire Peace & Progress,” featured a distinguished group of education leaders who shared their perspectives on nurturing character, compassion, and responsible citizenship in learners. The session was moderated by Arvind Mahajan, Chairman & MD, Spring Dales English School, Kathua, and brought together eminent speakers including Ritesh Kapoor, Director–Principal, A.S.N. Hr. Secondary School, Channi Himmat, Jammu; Tarvinder Kaur, Regional Director, Sanfort Group of Schools, Jammu; Irtiqa Kaushfi, Principal, Hissam Institute of Learning & Leadership, Srinagar; Ishfaq Sayeed, Chairman, New Light Public Model School, Chitterkote Karnah, Kashmir; and Riyaz Kathjoo, Principal, Green Valley Educational Institute, Srinagar. Their collective insights highlighted the transformative power of values-driven education in shaping peaceful, progressive, and future-ready communities. The third panel discussion, “Last-Mile Learning: Leveraging Innovation to Make Education Inclusive and Equitable,” brought together renowned academic leaders and experts committed to expanding access and ensuring quality learning opportunities for all. The session was moderated by Er. Dinesh Gupta, Dean Academics, Yogananda College of Engineering & Technology, Jammu, and featured an esteemed panel including Gagan Agrawal, Head – Academic Partnerships (North & Central India), IBM Career Education; Prof. (Dr.) Manish Kumar Srivastava, Pro Vice Chancellor, Arni University, Indora; Prof. (Dr.) Sandhya Tiwari, Dean, School of Languages & Member Executive Council, Central University of Kashmir; Prof. Vandana Sharma, Dean, School of Languages, Central University of Jammu; and Prof. Savita Nayyar, Director – Centre for Women Studies, University of Jammu, Jammu Tawi. Together, they contributed valuable perspectives on harnessing innovation to strengthen last-mile delivery and build an inclusive, equitable education ecosystem. The fourth panel, “Skills to Success: Reimagining Curriculum with Insights that Drive Enrollment to Employment,” featured distinguished academic and industry leaders who shared forward-looking perspectives on bridging the gap between education and employability. The session was moderated by Siddhartth Singh, Director at Meritto, and included esteemed speakers such as Saket Kushwaha, Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh; Rehman Malik, Chairman, UEG College of Paramedical Science; Anup Shukla, Dean (Student Affairs), IIT Jammu; Kapil Kapoor, Registrar, Abhilashi University; and Shamim Ahmed Bandey, Principal, SKC Government Degree College. Together, they brought valuable insights on curriculum redesign, skill-based learning pathways, and data-driven strategies that can effectively transform students’ journeys from
