Interviews

“I urge to other people also that tell your students now to become multi-disciplinary and simultaneously skilled,” says Dr. Sanjay Singh, Dean – School of Engineering and Technology in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling to witness The New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Chennai? It’s simply great. When the invitation came to me, I wasn’t sure what they were going to do. But later on, I came to know that ArdorComm Media Group informed me that they are going to have a panel of discussions with distinguished speakers, including many eminent speakers from government agencies, private companies, and even motivational speakers. I immediately accepted the invitation. To my surprise, I saw how digitalization is taking place more and more in the education sector. Digitalization has become an important part for educationists like me. It’s amazing to see the progress made in the field. How are you implementing technology in your institution? We have a learning management system in place. Additionally, as computer science is booming, we have incorporated computer science into various disciplines. We teach our students how computer science can be applied in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics and communication engineering, and more. We focus on developing a multi-disciplinary approach and encourage students to explore different fields. Automation has also been integrated into various aspects. So, we emphasize the development of a multi-disciplinary mindset and skills. As you can see in this kind of forums we try to bring in the education leaders, the EdTech players as well as the government. How does this kind of forum benefit the education sector? This forum brings together various stakeholders in the education sector. It’s not just about students and teachers; it involves everyone, including parents, administrative staff, government representatives, and regulatory bodies. When everyone is involved, decisions can be made collectively, and transformations in education become more effective. That’s why here when I came I got well satisfied and I felt great why because ArdorComm Media has called not only educationalists, they also called government people also, they called our Minister of Education, we heard our Minister of Education of Tamil Nadu simultaneously they called a regional director of TNSDC then they called from NIOS so in this way all the stakeholders are available here. When all the stakeholders are available and If any discussion is taking place certainly the discussion will give a very good outcome, satisfactory outcome. So, everybody’s involvement is necessary in bringing transformation in education. So, it’s a very good time and I am thankful to ArdorComm Media Group who have called me in this particular occasion and like an eminent speaker they have given me opportunity, I am thankful to them. I urge to other people also that tell your students now to become multi-disciplinary and simultaneously skilled. ArdorComm Media Group has brought the word skill and employability, so beyond education, skill and employability. So, compulsorily we also do many of the things in our colleges for development of skills simultaneously we have to see that whether this particular skill will be suitable for this particular employment or not so thanks to you. ArdorComm Media Group as a media start-up will complete its two years of existence in just two to three months, so what message do you have for ArdorComm Media Group? I was impressed by Mr. Chandan Anand’s speech where he mentioned that they do not have a physical office and everyone is working from home. This demonstrates how entrepreneurship can thrive even without physical infrastructure. ArdorComm Media Group is doing an excellent job of deeply penetrating digitalization into the education sector and engaging stakeholders. I believe other stakeholders should collaborate with the group to organize similar programs in different locations. I hope that in the future, they can conduct sessions specifically for parents and students, in addition to the ones for speakers from the education industry, government sectors, and private sectors.

“Education has been digitalized so the more students are exposed to technology the more they can learn,” says Md. Basiruddin, Director, SB School of Nursing in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling to witness the New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Chennai? Its great to be a part of this summit. We want that the education policies in India are implemented nicely to impart good education to the students. We are attending various educational conferences across India to learn how to improve to education in rural parts of India and also to implement the same for the betterment of our institutions. How according to you is the impact of technology in education on students? Technology is a part of education. If we provide technology to students then it’ll enhance their knowledge. So, along with books it’s also important to provide technology to students. Education has been digitalized so the more students are exposed to technology the more they can learn. Any message you want to share for ArdorComm Media Group? I congratulate and thank ArdorComm Media for organizing this event. Keep up the good work of contributing to the education sector.

“Our school has followed a traditional teaching method for the past 20 years, so introducing technology has been a priority,” says Swetha Balakrishnan, Secretary, Excel Matric HR Sec School in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling to witness this new normal education Leadership Summit and awards? Well, I was looking forward to the summit for a long time. Ever since the new education policy was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was very interested to know more about the policy and its key features. Even though there is a 66-page document available in the public domain, there are certain terms and concepts that need further explanation, such as constructivist learning and contextualization. So, I was excited about attending a summit like this, where educators from schools to higher education institutions come together to exchange ideas. I think it’s a valuable opportunity, and I want to thank ArdorComm Media for organizing such an event. How are you implementing the initiatives mentioned in the NEP (National Education Policy) in your institution? To be honest, we are at the initial stage of implementing NEP 2020 in our institution. The first step is to understand the 66-page document thoroughly. Our school has followed a traditional teaching method for the past 20 years, so introducing technology has been a priority. Thanks to the COVID-19 situation, the introduction of smart classes has been accelerated in our school. As for the implementation of NEP, we are currently at level one. We are working with NABET (National Accreditation Board for Education and Training), which is a wing of the Quality Council of India. They are supporting us with a 50-parameter list, and we are gradually implementing these parameters with their guidance. We have also established a partnership with a nearby school, TI School, which has already been benchmarked in 2008. We are seeking guidance from them as well. The implementation of NEP is a step-by-step process, and we aim to reach level five within three to four years. As you can see in this kind of forums where we have the presence of the academician, EdTech leaders as well as the government, how does this kind of forum benefit the education sector? The Academy-Industry collaboration emphasized in NEP is crucial, not only at the college level but also at the school level. Many colleges require students to take the initiative to approach industries based on their own interests and skill sets. However, students may not always be aware of their own skill sets or the skills needed for future employment. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry at the school level, students can gain insights into the courses and skills required for higher education and employment. Forums like this summit provide an excellent platform for educators, industry professionals, and government representatives to interact and share ideas. Additionally, such events showcase innovative approaches to education, such as the use of technology to make learning more engaging. For example, I had an interaction with a company called Matific, which has transformed mathematics education into an interactive video game. It’s a fun way for students to learn while also addressing the issue of excessive screen time. Overall, these forums serve as a major catalyst for progress in education, and I personally have learned a lot from this summit. Any message for ArdorComm Media Group? I don’t have any specific message for ArdorComm Media Group, but I would like to mention that the summit was well-organized. The only suggestion I have is to ensure better time management to avoid overlapping sessions. Other than that, I want to express my gratitude for providing this wonderful opportunity.

“Nowadays, we associate math with fear and phobia, so our program is unique and meant to remove math phobia,” says Sudindra Rao, Director- Finance, Chrysaalis I-Maths India Pvt Ltd in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling about witnessing the New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Chennai? It has been very good, actually. So many heads of schools and educators have come and visited our stall. They have appreciated it. I find it a very good opportunity to showcase my business and put it across to many people there. Could you explain what services your company offers? We basically offer a math program called Intelligent Mathematics. This program is meant for children in the age group of four years to eight years. Primarily, we are targeting children from preschool and pre-primary school sections. The program is aimed at removing math phobia among children and making them enjoy the subject. Nowadays, we associate math with fear and phobia, so our program is unique and meant to remove math phobia. We are a 17-year-old company and so far, more than one lakh children have benefited from this program. What is the USP (Unique Selling Proposition) of your company? The USP is the actual, literal, practical removing of math phobia and enabling children to excel in math Olympiad competitions. We have first standard children who have won gold and silver medals in the math Olympiad competitions conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation. First standard children winning gold medals in math Olympiads is something great. That is the best part of our program. As you can see in this kind of forum where we bring together industry experts, education leaders, and the government, how does this kind of amalgamation benefit the education sector? It enables holistic and joint ventures to happen. Through coordination and collaboration, we can give more benefit to society and children. Bringing together industry experts, education leaders, and the government allows for better coordination and helps in benefiting the education sector as a whole. Any message you want to share for ArdorComm Media Group? It has been a fantastic program. I would like to thank ArdorComm Media for organizing such an event. I am a regular fan of your media company, and wherever you organize such programs, I will definitely be participating. I look forward to more coordination and help from your team.

“Teaching and learning methods are transforming into new dimensions, says Dr. K. Porkumaran, Principal, Sri Sairam Engineering College in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling to witness the New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Chennai? It’s a great event, a wonderful gathering connecting corporates to campuses. As the principal of Sri Sairam Engineering College and the Chairman of IEEE Madras Section, I believe that these types of events enhance connectivity and allow us to stay updated on the recent trends and advancements in higher education reforms. Especially, we get insights into the modern pedagogical methodologies being used by teaching faculty. Instead of just thinking about what to learn and what to teach, we are now focusing on how to learn and how to teach. This shift brings new innovative teaching methodologies into the system, particularly the creation of a participative and collaborative learning environment. In the past, the student-faculty relationship relied solely on the expertise of the faculty as the primary resource. However, now there are many resources available, including teaching aids, tools, and methodologies. Teaching and learning methods are transforming into new dimensions. For example, when we talk about outcome-based education, there are three important metrics: knowledge, skill, and attitude. Knowledge is based on conventional teaching and learning methods, while skill is developed through hands-on experiences and industry exposure. This holistic education system ensures that students gain educational experiences and learning that they will remember for a lifetime. It equips them with problem-solving abilities and the capacity to develop innovative products with creativity, affordability, and societal impact. To foster industry collaborations, many organizations are establishing industry-powered innovative campuses. At Sairam Institutions, we have several industry-powered centers of excellence and research laboratories. These facilities provide hands-on training for students and involve industry experts in the board. LinkedIn has become a prominent platform for professional networking and knowledge sharing. Previously, it mainly consisted of professionals, but now students are actively involved. In my campus alone, all 1,500+ students are actively using LinkedIn to professionally share content and connect with educational leaders, vice-chancellors, deans, directors, and industry experts. Such interactions provide new insights into the higher education system, aligned with the National Education Policy of the government. This connection with industry and educational leaders helps us incorporate an industry-driven curriculum into the campus. The curriculum becomes adaptive, converting industry experiences into knowledge, following the theory-to-practice approach. This transformation is facilitating the implementation of industry-based curriculum and innovative teaching practices. At Sairam, we have established the Sai Ram Innovation Ecosystem, which is now part of the curriculum. It includes the Sai Ram Techno Incubator Foundation, supporting startups and entrepreneurship. We have successfully created 100+ entrepreneurs and incubated 85+ startups. Our achievements include winning the AICTE Smart India Hackathon and Defense Innovation Hackathon Startup Challenge. We are collaborating with the Indian Navy on various projects involving faculty and students. The entire transformation is focused on shifting from conventional teaching to technology-enabled teaching and learning practices. This approach has resulted in numerous products and innovations benefiting the community. Moreover, we are actively connected to society

“I think it is important to give more emphasis to moral education,” says Md Azizur Rahman, Chairman, Tarbiyah Cambridge International School in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling to witness this New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Chennai? Yeah, this type of education event is very much needed for society. Actually, South is of course, advanced, but we feel that our Eastern part is in a gap. So, it is very good. I am feeling good. Can you tell us about your institution? Yes, our institution was actually started in 2014. Our intention is to provide digital education to the interior parts of India, especially the villages and remote areas. We focus on these areas because nobody is giving attention to the interior side of our country. So, our goal is to work on education in these neglected regions. In this kind of forum, where education leaders, EdTech players, and government officials come together, how do you think it benefits the education sector? Of course, it will benefit the community and the country. However, I feel there is a gap. While all the speakers talk about the quality of education, nobody is giving emphasis to moral-based education, the repair of the soul. So, I think it is important to give more emphasis to moral education. We are a media startup, and in a few months, we will be completing two years of our existence. Any message you want to give to ArdorComm Media Group? I believe it will be beneficial for our community, society, and our country. So, I also hope that you can keep more focus on our country.  

“It was indeed a wonderful session with insightful discussions and a great panel session,” says Mincy Varghese, Principal, St. Joseph Matric Hr Sec School in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling witnessing The New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Chennai? It’s an amazing program and much needed for the current academic year. It’s really important for children’s development and their future employability. The bridging of education with employment was particularly impressive. Educating the educators first is a crucial step, as you mentioned. We believe we need your help in developing our technology capabilities. Other than that, everything was great and much needed. How are you implementing technology in your institution? We have smart classes, internet connectivity, and various programs like the English lab and STEM program. As you can see in forums like this, we bring together education leaders, EdTech leaders, and government officials. How does it benefit the education sector? These forums play a vital role in benefiting the education sector by brainstorming ideas and discussing how to implement and upgrade the education system to make it more skill-oriented. Yes, it was indeed a wonderful session with insightful discussions and a great panel session. It was an eye-opener for all of us, making us realize the need for action and implementation in education. Any message you want to give to ArdorComm Media Group? Absolutely! I believe it is crucial to reach out to more people and spread awareness about the benefits of technology in education. Many people haven’t had the opportunity to attend events like this, so we need to educate and inform them about the possibilities and advancements in education through technology. Top of Form  

“We have been in the field of education for over 30 years and have accreditations from NBA, NAAC,” says Dr. R. M. Narayanan, Dean, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling to witness this New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Chennai? It was amazing to participate and take part in this summit in Chennai. The event took place at the Green Park Hotel, which was nicely organized. We are looking forward to the education sector reaching the next level, as per the targets set in the new age policies and education policy. We are particularly interested in the knowledge shared, improvements in curriculum and syllabi, and the inclusion of technical skills in the new curriculum. We aim to have important interactions with eminent people at the summit. Could you highlight your institution? Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute is one of the topmost organizations in Chennai, located in the heart of the city. We have been in the field of education for over 30 years and have accreditations from NBA, NAAC. We have the autonomous status declared by the Government of India through UGC. How does this kind of forum benefit the education sector? The interaction between education, industry, and governance is crucial. Forums like these facilitate an interface between educationalists, industries, and the government. Whenever there is innovation from the academics, it needs to be transferred to the industry for further development and production of prototypes and products. The government plays a role in commercialization and reaping economic benefits from these collaborations. Any message you want to share for ArdorComm Media Group? Keep up the good work! We would like to have more interactions and engage with more eminent people in the future.

“The product is designed to be student-centric, which sets us apart from other solutions in the market,” says Prince Daniel, Director – Business Development, SpaceBasic in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling about witnessing The New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Chennai? Yeah, it’s great to be here. This is one of our focuses, to meet a lot of educators in one place and see the new updated technology they are using. It’s exciting to see all the new and unknown faces in this summit. Our company is based in Bangalore and we are the only ones providing a hostel management solution with a mobile application. The application covers end-to-end functionality, making it easy for students to show their attendance and manage various aspects. It’s a hassle-free solution for parents as well, allowing them to track their child’s activities in college. We started in 2017 and currently serve more than 75 colleges and universities in India. We plan to enter the international market soon. What is the unique selling proposition (USP) of SpaceBasic? Our USP lies in the fact that while ERP systems are typically used by management, our solution is primarily used by students. Students can use the application to manage their entries, know the mess menu and timings, block their food preferences, and even request leaves or permissions. It eliminates the need for students to stand in lines for signatures and makes the process more user-friendly. The product is designed to be student-centric, which sets us apart from other solutions in the market. As we can see, this forum brings together industry leaders, education leaders, and government representatives. How does this benefit the education sector? Such forums are important for knowledge sharing. For example, as a representative of Space Basics, attending this summit allows me to understand the thoughts and opinions of educators and industry leaders. It helps me stay informed about trends and the ideas they have in mind. This knowledge allows me to develop our product and contribute to the advancement of the education industry. It’s about spreading ideas and trends to benefit the sector as a whole. Any message you want to share for ArdorComm Media Group? My message is that everyone should embrace change and adopt new ideas. The education industry is evolving rapidly, and it’s important to stay updated. By attending forums like this, we can understand the needs and perspectives of others and share our own ideas. Together, we can take the education industry to new heights.

“It helps in creating a new model of education policy and implementing digital technology-based learning platforms for the students’ benefit,” says Dr. P. Senthil, Dean, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu How are you feeling to witness The New Normal Education Leadership Summit and Awards in Chennai? Yeah, it’s very nice, actually. I need to thank the organizer Chandan Anand and the ArdorComm Media for this well-organized platform. Here, we learned a lot about the new normal educational upliftment for the 21st-century students. Many eminent delegates came here to discuss this, and they provided valid points on how entrepreneurship incubation and innovation play a major role in education. Various digital technologies were also highlighted for their significance in student learning. The chief guest and eminent speakers emphasized the importance of skill training, which is crucial for students’ learning and employment sustainability. As you can see, in this kind of forum, we bring together education leaders, EdTech experts, as well as representatives from the ministry and government. How do you think this kind of forum benefits the education sector? Definitely, this platform of panel discussions and expert talks gives them ideas for policy-making and educational reformation. It helps in creating a new model of education policy and implementing digital technology-based learning platforms for the students’ benefit. These discussions also highlight the importance of skill training and employment sustainability. Overall, this kind of forum greatly benefits the education sector. Any message you would like to give to ArdorComm Media Group? It’s a well-organized event, and I wish to commend ArdorComm Media Group and all the team members for their excellent hospitality and wonderful job in serving society.