Interviews

“Teacher capacity building is crucial. Until teachers are aware of the latest advancements, they cannot effectively teach students” said Dr. Avijit Nair Q: Can you share some insights into your institution, AIM Group of Institutions, and its initiatives? Akemi Group of Institutions is 11 years old. Founded by Dr. Abhishek Boke, we started with an MBA program and now offer BBA, BSc in Cyber and Digital Science, and a Junior College. To align with digital transformation, we’ve integrated AI components into our MBA program, launched an MDP program, and introduced certifications on AI and Metaverse. Our BSc in Cyber and Digital Science is gaining strong student interest, addressing the growing importance of cybersecurity. At the junior college level, we incorporate life skills training alongside academics. Q: What initiatives are you taking for teacher training? A: Teacher capacity building is crucial. Until teachers are aware of the latest advancements, they cannot effectively teach students. We conduct FDP programs where faculty from reputed institutions like IIM train our teachers on the latest innovations in their respective fields. Recently, we had a senior expert from the Bombay Stock Exchange train our faculty on financial literacy. I also personally conduct sessions on classroom delivery techniques because knowledge alone is not enough; how to transfer that knowledge to students is equally important. We consistently train, reskill, and upskill our teachers to ensure they stay updated. Q: How important is skilling in the 21st century? A: Skilling is essential. We are in an era of rapid transformation, where new technologies emerge frequently. A month ago, people were unaware of Diffusion 6, and today, it’s a trending topic. There are two aspects to skilling. First, students must be equipped with relevant future skills. Second, they must develop adaptability. Certain skills may become irrelevant in the future, but if students have adaptability and resilience, they can unlearn and relearn as required. Q: How do forums that bring together academicians, corporate players, and government representatives contribute to society? A: Such forums provide a collaborative learning opportunity. When academicians remain confined to their own institutions, their knowledge remains limited. By interacting with senior professionals from various domains, they gain exposure to best practices from other institutions. For example, educational trips to Finland help academicians learn about their education system. Though India’s demographic differences prevent a direct replication, the best practices can be adapted. Organizing such forums fosters knowledge exchange and collective growth in the education sector. Q: ArdorComm Media is celebrating its third anniversary. Do you have any message or suggestions for us? A: You are doing excellent work. The next step is scaling up by organizing more events on relevant topics, expanding pan-India and even internationally. Additionally, a vertical focused on training modules could be valuable. Since you have ties with many academicians, inviting experts to conduct training sessions for students could significantly benefit the student community.

“The foundation behind this initiative plays a crucial role in advancing digital education.” Said Dr. Ashok Gupta Q: Can you share your experience and thoughts on today’s event? A: This event provided me with a great opportunity. I have been working in the field of education and environmental initiatives for the past 35 years. I sincerely thank the organizers for creating a platform where I could connect with various universities, as well as organizations like SAS and D2L. This platform enables schools and colleges to share their views and connect with each other effectively. It is a valuable initiative that fosters collaboration in the education sector. Q: What are your key takeaways from today’s event? A: This event facilitates connections between universities, institutional heads, leaders, and educators. The foundation behind this initiative plays a crucial role in advancing digital education. Without digitization, progress in education is challenging. This platform contributes significantly to the field by promoting digital learning and collaboration. I appreciate the opportunity to be part of this event. Thank you.

“Skilling and reskilling are of utmost importance because the future is unpredictable.” Said Debika Chatterji Q: Can you share some insights about your institution? A: I am the Director-Principal at JBCN International School. Our school strongly believes in innovative learning processes that nurture the mind, body, and spirit of our students. We focus on holistic education to prepare learners for the future. Q: What are your thoughts on the holistic development of children in schools? A: As educators, we are not just providers of information; we are deeply invested in shaping learners who can contribute to making the world a better place. Holistic development, which includes intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being, is essential in education. Q: How do skilling and reskilling impact students, especially school-going children? A: Skilling and reskilling are of utmost importance because the future is unpredictable. Simply acquiring information is not enough—students need skills, critical thinking, and adaptability to succeed in an ever-evolving world. These aspects prepare them to be global citizens and active contributors to society. Q: What role do sports and physical education play in a student’s life? A: With rapid technological advancements and increasing digital engagement, physical movement has become more important than ever. As the saying goes, “A healthy mind lives in a healthy body.” Physical education plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and overall well-being. Q: How do forums like this, which include representatives from schools, corporates, and the government, impact the larger community? A: Such platforms emphasize that collaboration is the key to success. If educators and adults model collaborative behavior, learners will adopt the same approach. Fostering cooperation is essential for progress in every sector. Q: Any message for our media group as we celebrate our third anniversary? A: You are already doing a great job. Keep up the good work!

“It’s essential that we equip our students not only to survive but to succeed in a skill-based, AI-driven world” said Mrs. Rajita Kulkarni  Q: I’d like to understand more about your organization. How is your university evolving, and what new developments are happening? A: Sri Sri University is part of the Art of Living Foundation, founded by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji. Our education system covers all levels, from early-stage education to higher education and PhDs. We have three verticals: Free School Vertical – We have around 1,300 schools educating nearly 950,000 children across 25 states in India. Urban Education Vertical – This includes 120 institutions, including schools, colleges, and an Ayurveda hospital, providing education to about 60,000 students. The University – This is Gurudev’s vision to create a confluence of Eastern and Western education. At Sri Sri University, we have 10 faculties, 60 undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and nearly 300 scholars pursuing PhDs across 35 subjects. We have about 3,500 students on campus and over 10,000 enrolled in various online and offline programs. We are also proud to be one of the nine universities in India to receive dual accreditation status from NCVT. Q: Today’s theme is ‘Digital Bharat.’ What does this mean for higher education? A: It’s a very relevant theme. We are in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This year, AICTE declared 2025 as the ‘Year of AI.’ Just last week, Sri Sri University celebrated AI Week, where we hosted over 30 programs with 17 industry partners, benefiting nearly 1,000 students. Around 100 faculty members participated in technical sessions and faculty development programs on AI. It’s essential that we equip our students not only to survive but to succeed in a skill-based, AI-driven world. All our programs are designed with industry collaboration. We have AI programs in partnership with IBM, Microsoft, and Intel. Our recent MoU with Intel will help us introduce AI programs for all our students. Industry-oriented education, research, innovation, and incubation are crucial to preparing students not only for employment but also to become job creators. We take pride in our incubator, which has nurtured about 180 startups. But beyond skills, we emphasize human values, mental well-being, and happiness. A degree alone does not guarantee success if a student is not happy. Our students practice meditation, pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and service activities daily. Giving back to society is a core value at our university. Q: You’ve highlighted the importance of spirituality and holistic development. Why should emerging universities and institutions prioritize this? A: That’s a very important question, Chandan. Data shows a concerning reality—one in three students globally struggles with mental health issues, and about 30% of teachers experience depression. Imagine a depressed teacher trying to educate a depressed student—what learning can happen in such an environment? That’s why mental well-being must be a priority. In India, AICTE has mandated the Art of Living program as part of the induction process in most IITs, NITs, IIITs, and several other institutions. Just yesterday, I was at the QS Conference, where 500 chancellors and vice-chancellors from around the world gathered. I was on a panel where four out of five institutions represented had implemented Art of Living programs for their students. I’m also happy to share that our Art of Living program is offered as a four-credit course in 140 universities in the U.S., including Stanford, USC, and UC Berkeley. Prioritizing student well-being is critical, and as education leaders, it is our responsibility to support it. Q: What role do alumni play in an institution’s success, and what new initiatives have you introduced for them? A: That’s a great question, Chandan. Alumni are the crown of any institution—they are its ambassadors and torchbearers. As a young university, we have a growing alumni community, and we are extremely proud of them. Many of them are making significant contributions in their fields.

“The more adaptable we are to new technologies, the more we stay ahead of our students” said Dr. Seema Negi Q: What are some of the new and upcoming highlights of your school? A: Our school always focuses on two key aspects: retaining values and culture while providing students with the wings to embrace technology. We ensure that nothing in AI is left unexplored. As a principal, I make it a priority to learn about AI first, then my core team learns, and finally, we bring that knowledge to our parents and students. Q: How quickly was AI adopted in your institution, and why was it necessary? A: We have been working on this extensively and recently started exploring Deep Seek, which we learned about just a few days ago. The more adaptable we are to new technologies, the more we stay ahead of our students. Since children are digital natives, they already know so much. If we, as educators, do not learn what interests them, we may fail to develop a strong connection with them. Q: How have classrooms evolved over time? A: Classrooms have changed in many ways. While smart boards and whiteboards have been around for over a decade, the biggest shift is in the role of teachers. Today, teachers are not just educators; they are guides, facilitators, friends, and mentors. We are now open to learning from our students, co-creating the knowledge system together. Q: What does ‘skilling’ mean to students? Do they truly understand its significance? A: Students do understand the concept of skilling, though their perspective might differ from ours. To illustrate, if a child always greets me with “Hello, ma’am, how are you?” and I respond with “Jai Bharat”—which is our school’s way of greeting—after ten interactions, the child understands that I expect “Jai Bharat” in return. Skills must be role-modeled, and we see this in how students engage in discussions about entrepreneurship with me because they recognize my passion for research. By displaying skills consistently, we create stronger connections with our students. Q: How are students adapting to emerging educational trends such as STEAM education and entrepreneurship? A: Students are highly receptive. From Grade 4 onwards, they participate in entrepreneurship Olympiads, and from Grade 1, they engage in competitions like Idea-Thon. The ideas they generate are incredible, and when they pitch their products, some are so convincing that we tell them to start taking orders. They are developing strong business acumen at an early age, and the days of waiting until Grades 10 or 12 to introduce these concepts are long gone. Q: What message do you have for students preparing for board examinations? A: My message to students is to stay calm and breathe. They have already studied enough, and now is the time for revision. If they have any doubts, they should reach out to their teachers. Often, instead of staying calm, students become anxious, which leads to unnecessary stress. I always refer to the Bhagavad Gita, where Arjuna, in his moment of confusion, became a seeker and turned to Lord Krishna for guidance. Similarly, I urge students to seek help when needed and maintain a positive mindset. What we think is what we become. Q: How do forums like this, which bring together representatives from various educational and corporate sectors, benefit society? A: Forums like this broaden our vision as educators and help us understand the gaps between school education and higher education. For instance, recognizing this gap led us to introduce financial literacy from nursery level. By understanding what’s missing, we can bring these elements into early education, ensuring students are better prepared for the future.

Dr. Yasmin Pirzada said “Our school caters to a diverse section of society, and I would describe it as a boutique school—offering a unique, single-division education from Kindergarten to Grade 12” Q: We would like to know more about your institution. A: We are affiliated with Cambridge International, UK. Belle Vue Spring School is a Cambridge-accredited institution, and we have been operational for 14 years. Our school caters to a diverse section of society, and I would describe it as a boutique school—offering a unique, single-division education from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Q: What are the key skills and initiatives you focus on at different academic levels? A: Our approach to education is holistic. The skill set introduced to a 3-year-old differs from that of a 12-year-old. Our goal is to equip students with the necessary skills to navigate life successfully. Learning should not be restricted but rather tailored to each age group, ensuring they are well-prepared for the future. Q: Hygiene and safety play a crucial role in schools. What initiatives have you taken in this regard? A: Hygiene and safety are integral to our school environment. Post-COVID, we have emphasized sanitization and awareness among children about personal hygiene—like keeping their hands clean and avoiding habits such as putting hands in their mouths. Additionally, safety measures such as proper lift usage, CCTV surveillance, and campus-wide monitoring ensure a secure environment. These precautions help prevent any untoward incidents, and we remain vigilant at all times. Q: Could you share insights into lifelong learning and how your institution promotes it? A: I recently spoke as a panelist on this very topic. Lifelong learners are self-driven and self-motivated individuals. As educators, we can provide them with the right exposure, mentorship, and guidance, but ultimately, the drive to learn must come from within. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Similarly, students must develop intrinsic motivation. Our role is to instill this mindset and help them navigate their learning journeys independently. Q: How do forums that bring together educators from different backgrounds contribute to the community? A: Such forums are immensely beneficial. When we meet people from diverse educational and professional backgrounds—ranging from K-12 education to higher learning, corporate leaders, and even government representatives—we exchange valuable insights. It’s a teach one, reach one approach. When ideas are shared, we collectively learn and evolve, ultimately strengthening the educational community as a whole. Q: Ma’am, we are celebrating our third anniversary as a media startup. Do you have a message for us? A: Congratulations on completing three years! Every startup begins small, but with a clear vision and mission, success is inevitable. Wishing you continued growth and success ahead.