Category Archives: Education

AdVITya’26 Sports Fest Concludes on a High Note at VIT Bhopal

Chandigarh,  Feb 27 : The cur tains came down on the four-day AdVITya’26 Sports Fest at VIT Bhopal University, marking the culmination of an intense and spirited sporting showcase held from 21st to 24th February 2026. With more than 1,000 participants, including around 300 students from outside institutions and over 700 from within the university, the campus witnessed competition at its most vibrant.

 The grand inauguration was graced by Shri Shivraj Singh Verma, IAS, Additional Commissioner, Bhopal, alongside the university leadership including Founder and Chancellor Dr. G. Viswanathan, Vice President Dr. Sankar Viswanathan, Assistant Vice President Ms. Kadhambari S. Viswanathan, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. T. B. Sridharan, Registrar Mr. K. K. Nair, Convenor Dr. Pushpdant Jain, Co-Convenor Dr. Sourav Prasad and Dr. Gunjan Ansari, and Sports Officer Dr. Prashant Tiwari. The ceremonial lighting of the flame and the team procession set the tone for a week defined by discipline, unity and competitive spirit.

The Sports Fest was coordinated under the guidance of Sports Officer Dr. Prashant Tiwari, ensuring smooth execution and fair play throughout the competitions. Students competed across a wide spectrum of sports including Cricket, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Kabaddi, Badminton, Table Tennis, Chess, Weightlifting and the newly introduced Arm Wrestling. From closely fought finals to dominant performances, the event delivered moments of resilience and sporting excellence.

Kabaddi saw VIT Bhopal (Team A) clinch the boys’ title, with Man Sarovar finishing as runner-up, while in the girls’ category VIT Bhopal (Team A) once again secured first place, followed by VIT Bhopal (Team B). In Basketball, LNCT Bhopal lifted the boys’ championship trophy, with VIT Bhopal (Team A) as runner-up, whereas SAGE University Bhopal emerged victorious in the girls’ category and Peoples College secured second position. Cricket delivered equally strong performances, with VIT Bhopal (Team B) winning the boys’ title and VIT Bhopal (Team A) finishing runner-up; in the girls’ division, VIT Bhopal (Team A) claimed the championship while Team B took second place.

Football finals were fiercely contested, with VIT Bhopal (Team A) winning the boys’ title and JLU finishing runner-up; in the girls’ category, VIT Bhopal (Team A) secured first place followed by Team B. Volleyball witnessed VIT Bhopal (Team A) dominating both boys’ and girls’ categories, while Team B and Peoples University respectively secured runner-up positions. In Badminton, VIT Bhopal asserted control across men’s singles and doubles, mixed doubles and women’s doubles, with LNCT and PG College featuring prominently as runner-ups, and LNCT taking the women’s singles crown. Table Tennis saw KIIT Odisha win the men’s singles title while VIT Bhopal claimed multiple top positions across women’s and mixed categories. Chess and Weightlifting further reinforced VIT Bhopal’s dominance, with students securing both winner and runner-up positions across divisions.

The Valedictory Session of the AdVITya’26 Sports Fest took place on 26th February under the leadership of Trustee Mrs. Ramani Balasundaram, and in the presence of Chief Guest Ms. Sarita Bala Om Prajapati, IAS, and Guest of Honour Ms. Rasna Thakur, IPS. Beyond trophies and podium finishes, the Sports Fest strengthened inter-institutional bonds and reinforced the university’s commitment to nurturing holistic development through sport.

With the sporting chapter now concluded, AdVITya’26 seamlessly transitions into its much-anticipated Techno-Cultural Fest, currently underway from 26th to 28th February, promising three days of music, innovation and creative celebration to carry the festival’s momentum forward. On 26 February ‘The 9Teen Band’, paired with the energetic voice of Rashmeet Kaur take centre stage; while on 27 February, celebrated Rajasthani folk exponent Jasu Khan Bisu brings the desert’s rich musical legacy to centre stage. The curtain falls on 28 February with an electrifying finale led by the versatile Armaan Malik, packed with his chart-buster magic.

3 Trends in Education Financing in India for 2026

India’s education ecosystem is at an inflection point. With rising enrolments, tighter regulations, and growing expectations around learning outcomes, education financing is evolving beyond traditional lending. By 2026, three clear trends are set to define how capital flows into the sector, particularly for affordable private schools and education entrepreneurs.

1. Rise of Purpose-Driven Education Finance

Education financing is increasingly being shaped by social impact objectives alongside financial returns. Lenders and investors are focusing on institutions that serve low-income and emerging middle-class communities, where access to quality education remains uneven. This shift has led to the growth of specialised education-focused NBFCs that understand school-level challenges such as cash-flow seasonality, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory compliance. Players like Varthana have emerged in this space by offering customised financing solutions for affordable private schools, aligning capital deployment with measurable education outcomes rather than asset-heavy collateral models.

2. Data-Led Credit Assessment and Digital Lending

By 2026, data-driven underwriting is expected to become mainstream in education finance. Traditional balance-sheet-based assessments are being supplemented with alternative data, student enrolment trends, fee collection patterns, geographic demand, and school performance indicators. Digital platforms are enabling faster loan disbursements and ongoing monitoring, reducing turnaround times for schools that often operate with limited buffers. This approach not only lowers risk for lenders but also expands formal credit access for first-generation school founders.

3. Financing Linked to Quality and Compliance Upgrades

Regulatory norms around infrastructure, teacher qualifications, and safety standards are tightening across states. Financing is therefore shifting towards supporting compliance-led upgrades, classroom expansion, digital learning tools, sanitation, and energy-efficient infrastructure. Lenders are increasingly structuring loans that enable schools to meet these requirements while continuing operations uninterrupted, recognising that compliance is now directly linked to long-term viability.

Together, these trends signal a more mature, impact-aligned education financing ecosystem, one that prioritises sustainability, access, and learning outcomes alongside growth.

Pan IIT Urges Strategic Expansion to Make India a Global Education Hub

By:- Prabhat Kumar, Chairman (IRS), Pan IIT Alumni India

Pan IIT welcomes the Knight Frank – Deloitte report identifying India as the world’s most strategic higher education growth market, driven by its 155 million-strong youth cohort. To harness this potential, we advocate for a dual strategy: vertical expansion through world-class research and specialisation, and horizontal expansion via accessible education hubs across India. These hubs will integrate academia, industry, and innovation, positioning India as a leader in the Global South for educational collaboration and opportunity.

Enabled by 100% automatic-route FDI and supportive budget provisions for research and skill development, we urge the adoption of further streamlined policies to attract private and foreign university investment. Our focus must be on scaling technical and vocational education while deeply integrating Indian Knowledge Systems. Pan IIT is committed to partnering with all stakeholders to transform India into a global knowledge exporter and destination.

Coventry University Group’s India Hub strengthens research partnerships through collaboration in AI, clean tech and healthcare

Coventry University Group’s India Hub is hosting a week of high-powered engagements with strategic research partners, government and industry stakeholders to explore priority themes including artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, healthcare and clean growth. 

A delegation from Coventry University Group’s senior research leadership team led by Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), and including Professors Elena Gaura, Carl Perrin and Rohit Bhagat travelled to India to deepen those strategic partnerships. 

Over the past year the education group has developed a growing portfolio of collaborations with leading Indian institutions, including IIT Guwahati and GITAM, translating global engagement into real-world research impact and harnessing strategic relationships to create tangible research activity and joint programmes. 

Caption: Coventry University’s delegation meets with representatives of IIT Delhi

 Coventry University Group and IIT Guwahati formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding, enabling joint research, co-funded PhDs, staff and student mobility, and community engagement projects.  

Coventry University Group and IIT Delhi held a Winter School centred on energy storage, green hydrogen and the application of AI and machine learning in material development, characterisation and data analytics. This will further strengthen knowledge exchange and open avenues for exploring joint supervision models and collaborative research in those areas. 

The India Hub is playing a central role in strengthening academic, research and innovation partnerships with India in areas such as AI, healthcare innovation and societal wellbeing, as well as supporting Coventry University Group’s growing footprint in doctoral education, researcher development and innovation capacity-building. 

Through its partnership with GITAM, the Group has established a dual-award PhD programme, with the first cohort of candidates already enrolled across projects spanning health technologies, clean growth and creative disciplines. 

As part of the visit the delegation will also be engaging with government agencies, industry and various research institutes to advance joint initiatives in India across a range of stakeholders. 

Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Coventry University, said: “Our research always comes with a real-world change in mind and working alongside institutions and partners in India we can have a lasting impact on areas such as clean tech, AI and healthcare. This visit highlighted the importance of multi-disciplinary research, ethical frameworks and real-world validation, and demonstrated how UK–India collaboration can accelerate progress in these areas.” 

Yashodhara Dasgupta, Regional Managing Director of Coventry University Group’s India Hub, said: “The India Hub exists to turn relationships into outcomes. Whether through joint PhDs, research-led training or policy-facing dialogue, our focus is on creating platforms where UK and Indian expertise can come together to address real-world challenges and deliver shared value.” 

VESIT inaugurates its Maker- centric Tinkerers’ Lab in Collaboration with Maker Bhavan Foundation

Feb 23: Vivekanand Education Society’s Institute of Technology (VESIT) today inaugurated its new Tinkerers’ Lab, aimed at facilitating students with hands-on, project-based learning in engineering education. This initiative is powered by the Maker Bhavan Foundation (MBF). The inauguration ceremony was held on the VES HAMC campus and was attended by distinguished guests, Academic and Industry leaders, faculty members, students, and representatives of the Maker Bhavan Foundation.

This occasion coincides with the Centenary Celebration of our revered founder of Vivekanand Education Society, Karmayogi Late Shri. Hashuji Advani. To honor his inspiration, enduring legacy, visionary leadership, and strong value systems, the Vivekanand Education Society is organizing a series of meaningful academic and cultural initiatives under the theme “Gen Z for Nation Building.” The inauguration of this Tinkerer’s Lab stands as a true reflection of that spirit, empowering young minds to innovate, create, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Dr. (Mrs.) J. M. Nair, Principal, Vivekanand Education Society’s Institute of Technology (VESIT).

“At VESIT, we see engineering as an act of curiosity in motion. The Tinkerers’ Lab creates a culture where students are encouraged to question assumptions, dismantle ideas, rebuild them, and discover solutions that are both inventive and responsible.”

Chief Guest Shri. Anil Bhatia, Vice President and Managing Director, Emerson Automation Solutions, said,

“In today’s landscape, technical knowledge alone is not a differentiator. What truly sets future engineers apart is their ability to experiment without hesitation. Platforms like this lab cultivate that confidence, which is essential for leadership in modern industry.”

Gautam Khanna, President & CEO, Maker Bhavan Foundation, said,

“Engineering talent flourishes when students are trusted with real tools and real challenges. When students are given the autonomy to experiment, the responsibility to execute, and the space to learn from iteration, they develop not just technical competence, but professional maturity that stays with them long after graduation.”

The lab creates a dynamic place where students can freely experiment, build prototypes by applying their theoretical knowledge practically, and engage across disciplines. This will help them develop both engineering expertise and an entrepreneurial mindset to tackle real- world problems. Through partnership with Maker Bhavan Foundation, VESIT is cultivating a robust culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, producing engineers equipped for tomorrow’s dynamic tech landscape.

MIT xPRO Equips Leaders to Move From AI Vision to Measurable Business Value

New Delhi, Feb 20: As artificial intelligence shifts from experimentation to enterprise-wide transformation, organizations are discovering that technology alone does not guarantee results. According to research by PwC, AI-exposed industries have experienced revenue per employee growth three times faster than others (27% vs 9%), while professionals with AI skills command a 56% wage premium. Yet, despite this momentum, 56% of companies report no measurable financial benefit from AI investments to date — highlighting a widening gap between ambition and execution.

Addressing this critical challenge, MIT xPRO’s advanced professional programs are empowering leaders to operationalize AI at scale by integrating strategy, data, and productization into sustainable business impact.

Bridging the Execution Gap

As organizations move beyond pilots and proof-of-concept experiments, the need for strategic alignment, decision-grade analytics, and production-ready AI products has become paramount. MIT xPRO’s portfolio of professional programs is designed to help leaders translate AI investments into enterprise-level value creation.

1. Lead With Strategic Clarity

Advanced Program in Technology Leadership and Innovation (TLIP)

AI initiatives often falter due to fragmented leadership and lack of cohesive strategy. The Advanced Program in Technology Leadership and Innovation equips senior executives to transform emerging technologies into enterprise-wide roadmaps aligned with measurable outcomes.

Participants gain:

• Executive ownership of AI-driven strategy
• Systems thinking for cross-functional execution
• Balanced innovation portfolio design
• Responsible technology governance frameworks
• Hands-on experience through immersive simulations and capstone projects

Ideal for: CXOs, VPs, founders, and senior leaders

Duration: 9 months

2. Turn Data Into Decisions

Post Graduate Program in Data Science and AI (DSAI)

In many organizations, analytics efforts remain confined to dashboards and models. The DSAI program focuses on embedding AI into core business decisions — from pricing and risk optimization to operational efficiency and forecasting.

Key outcomes include:

• Decision-oriented analytics frameworks
• Mathematical and AI-driven optimization capabilities
• Explainable and trustworthy AI foundations
• Hands-on experience with 25+ industry tools and libraries
• Capstone projects solving real-world business problems

Ideal for: Data professionals, analytics leaders, and tech managers

Duration: 9 months

3. Ship Products, Not Pilots

Building AI Products and Services (AIP)

Moving from concept to production remains one of the biggest hurdles in AI adoption. The AIP program equips teams with structured methodologies to design, validate, and launch AI-driven products that deliver tangible value.

Participants learn to:

• Apply a structured four-stage AI design framework
• Develop compelling business cases and risk assessments
• Select appropriate AI approaches — ML, deep learning, or generative AI — based on strategic fit
• Integrate human-centric design and adoption principles
• Explore emerging trends including agentic AI and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)

Ideal for: Technical product managers, engineers, UX leaders, and founders

Duration: 12 weeks

A Unified Approach to AI Transformation

Operationalizing AI is not solely a technical challenge — it is an organizational transformation imperative. Strategic clarity, data fluency, and product execution must work in tandem to unlock measurable value.

With AI adoption accelerating globally and organizations with deep AI integration seeing disproportionate competitive advantages, MIT xPRO’s complementary programs provide a structured pathway from experimentation to execution.

By combining rigorous academic foundations with applied, real-world learning, MIT xPRO continues to empower leaders to move decisively from AI vision to sustained business value.

UK Education Hub Launched at British Council to Advance India–UK Vision 2035

Kolkata, Feb 20 : Advancing the education objectives of the India–UK Vision 2035, David Lammy, UK Deputy Prime Minister inaugurated the UK Education Hub at the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural exchange, in the presence of Lindy Cameron OB CBE, British High Commissioner to India, Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council, Prof. Eloise Philips, the Academic Provost of the Southampton University Delhi, and dignitaries from India and UK, including Sir Steve Smith, the UK’s Champion for International Education.

The British Council, with over 78 years leading education cooperation between the UK and India, has established the UK Education HUB to help deliver this shared vision – enabling engagement, collaboration, and alignment to India’s National Education Policy and the UK International Education Strategy through a single, structured platform.

UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said:

“To build a better future, we must invest in the next generation who will shape it and expanding access to education will create lasting change.

“By bringing together governments, universities and institutions, the UK Education Hub in New Delhi will forge deeper partnerships with India – sharing expertise, sparking innovation and growing our economies. This demonstrates our shared ambition of turning the UK-India Vision 2035 into a reality.

“Delivering quality education today will change the world of tomorrow – empowering new ranks of entrepreneurs, scientists and leaders who will transform our shared future.”

The Hub will manage the Annual Ministerial India-UK Education Dialogue and support achievement of the education objectives of India-UK Vision 2035. It will act as a platform for structured engagement between UK universities, Indian government ministries, regulators, and sector bodies ensuring smooth two-way transfer of information and a stronger partnership between the education sectors of the two nations.

Looking ahead

The UK Education Hub will:

• support delivery of the Annual Ministerial India-UK Education Dialogue
• coordinate requests for information and support for all UK universities seeking to engage in India
• create and manage the UK Universities in India Members Programme
• support progress on mutual recognition of qualifications
• provide continued support for inward and outward education and skills missions between the two countries.

By creating a single, coordinated interface for engagement, the UK Education Hub reinforces India and the UK’s shared ambition to deepen collaboration in education, research, and skills development, strengthening people-to-people ties and supporting inclusive, sustainable growth.

PanIIT Alumni India Felicitates Rajesh Agarwal at Bombay Gymkhana

Mumbai, Feb 19: PanIIT Alumni India organised a distinguished felicitation ceremony at the iconic Bombay Gymkhana, honouring eminent IIT alumni and leaders who have made exceptional contributions in public service, industry, entrepreneurship, and academia.

The highlight of the evening was the felicitation of Rajesh Agarwal, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra and distinguished alumnus of IIT Delhi. PanIIT Alumni India also felicitated Shashi Tripathi, Chairman of the upcoming IIT2026 global conference.

The event witnessed the gracious presence of several prominent IIT alumni and national leaders, including:

          •        Sharad Saraf, Member, Board of Governors – IIT Bombay & IIT Jammu

          •        Ashank Desai

          •        Sudhakar Gande

          •        Raj Nair

Senior leaders from government, industry, startups, and academia across multiple IITs joined the gathering, reflecting the strength and unity of the global IIT alumni network.

Prabhat Kumar, Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India, said

“PanIIT represents the collective strength of over 300,000 IIT alumni across the globe. Today’s felicitation is not just about honouring individuals, but about celebrating leadership that contributes to nation-building and global impact. IITians are playing transformative roles in governance, innovation, entrepreneurship, and global partnerships aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”

He emphasised that PanIIT will continue to act as a bridge between government, industry, academia, and the global alumni ecosystem to accelerate India’s growth story.

Rajesh Agarwal, Chief Secretary, Maharashtra, in his address, welcomed investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to actively engage with Maharashtra’s fast-growing innovation and industrial ecosystem. He highlighted key initiatives of the Maharashtra Government aligned with the Viksit Bharat vision and assured full support to the PanIIT community to invest and collaborate in Maharashtra’s strategic sectors.

Update on IIT2026 – USA (April 22-25, 2026)

Shashi Tripathi shared insights about the IIT2026 Conference, a landmark global summit scheduled from April 22 to 25, 2026, in Long Beach, California, USA. IIT2026 is a three-day conference celebrating 75 years of IIT excellence, bringing together over 2,500 innovators, CEOs, thought leaders, and changemakers from around the world to explore innovation, investment, technology, and global collaboration.  

He invited the entire PanIIT community—especially alumni and professionals in the USA and beyond—to participate in this historic event, engage in transformative dialogues, and build strategic partnerships that will shape the future of innovation worldwide.

The evening concluded with networking and discussions focused on strengthening alumni collaboration, fostering cross-border investments, and positioning the IIT ecosystem as a powerful driver of India’s and global innovation leadership journey.

Ashoka University, École normale supérieure PSL Forge Strategic Academic Partnership

New Delhi, Feb 19 : Ashoka University, India’s leading interdisciplinary research university, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with École normale supérieure PSL Paris, one of France’s most prestigious higher education and research institutions. The announcement was made at the High Level Academic and Scientific Meetings in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, marking an important step in strengthening India–France collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation.

The MoU was formally signed by Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor, Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR, and Frédéric Worms, Director, ENS-PSL. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence, interdisciplinary learning, and global knowledge exchange between two leading institutions known for integrating teaching and research across disciplines.

Ashoka University’s Memorandum of Understanding with École normale supérieure – PSL establishes a deep, long-term partnership spanning joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative academic programmes in the sciences and humanities. This MoU will create shared research ecosystems, foster co-taught courses and workshops, and open opportunities for Ashoka students and scholars to engage with ENS–PSL’s renowned scientific community in Paris. Together, the two institutions aim to build a vibrant Indo-French intellectual corridor that advances fundamental science, interdisciplinary inquiry, and innovation with global impact.

K VijayRaghavan, Chair, Science Advisory Council, Ashoka University noted,

“France and India are already closely linked in science through bilateral structures such as the Indo-French Centre for Applied Mathematics (IFCAM), DST–India programmes in digital science and technology, and joint initiatives in neuroscience and engineering. Most recently, both countries have expanded this cooperation through new initiatives in AI, health, and digital science, including plans for Indo-French centres for AI in health and digital science and technology under the 2026 Year of Innovation”.

École normale supérieure – PSL is among France’s most prestigious higher education institutions and a globally recognised centre of academic excellence. Founded in 1794, the institution is known for its rigorous research culture and interdisciplinary approach, ENS-PSL has a distinguished legacy of producing leading scholars, scientists, and policymakers, including multiple Nobel laureates and Fields Medal winners.

For Ashoka University students, the partnership will play an important role in shaping research capabilities by providing access to advanced research networks, collaborative projects, and mentorship from internationally renowned scholars. The engagement is expected to strengthen Ashoka University students’ understanding of global techniques and methodologies used in research across multiple domains, thereby equipping them with better skills to carry deep research for better knowledge creation and innovation.

For students and experts of ENS-PSL, this collaboration will offer valuable opportunities to engage with India’s dynamic academic ecosystem, participate in interdisciplinary research initiatives, and gain deeper insights into diverse social, cultural, and scientific contexts of the country.

Both institutions are already connected through the Franco-Indian Campus in Life Sciences for Health, launched in 2022, and the MoU seeks further to deepen academic and research exchanges within this broader framework.

Frédéric Worms, Director, ENS-PSL, said,

“This agreement offers a unique opportunity to bring together École normale supérieure – PSL and Ashoka University, two institutions that share a similar academic model and a common commitment to excellence, interdisciplinarity, and the close articulation of teaching and research.”

Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor, Ashoka University, said,

“This partnership marks an important step in strengthening global academic collaboration at a time when AI is reshaping industries and societies. Through our engagement with ENS-PSL, we aim to drive high-impact research, foster meaningful academic exchange, and equip our students and faculty with deeper global perspectives.”

IIM Bodh Gaya Hosts International Research Conference on Mindfulness, Advancing Global Dialogue on Mindfulness in Research and Leadership

Bodh Gaya, Feb 16: The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya inaugurated the International Research Conference on Mindfulness (IRCM) 2026, the third edition of its flagship biennial conference dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research on mindfulness. Held over two days in a hybrid format, the conference brought together academicians, researchers, practitioners, and students from across India and abroad, including participants from Japan, Vietnam, and New Zealand.

The conference witnessed a global response, receiving over 255 paper submissions, reflecting a more than threefold increase from its previous edition. The strong participation underscores the growing relevance of mindfulness-based research across management, social sciences, and allied disciplines.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya, in the presence of conference conveners Dr. Remya Lathabhavan and Dr. Teena Bharti. Distinguished speakers, including Dr. Jyoti Bachani, Saint Mary’s College of California, Dr. Vishal Gupta, IIM Ahmedabad, and Dr. Ramya Tarakad Venkateswaran, IIM Calcutta, delivered keynote addresses emphasising the integration of contemplative practices with modern research to enhance organisational effectiveness and societal well-being.

In her address, Dr. Vinita S. Sahay underscored the enduring value of contemplative traditions, noting that the “acid test of the greater good is the test of time,” and describing mindfulness as a time-tested philosophy that continues to guide meaningful ways of living and leading. Dr. Jyoti Bachani stated, “Wisdom is eternal, while AI is ephemeral,” and highlighted the importance of convening such dialogue in Bodh Gaya, the land historically associated with the origins of mindfulness.

Organised around 12 thematic tracks, the conference explored mindfulness in leadership, organisational behaviour, finance, education, decision-making, and sustainability. Scholars presented empirical and conceptual work that examined how reflective awareness can bridge research gaps and generate solution-oriented outcomes across disciplines.

 Pre-conference workshops featured applied learning sessions. Mr. Shishir Arya, an IIT, IIM alumnus-turned mindfulness coach, conducted experiential sessions linking professional effectiveness with mindful living. Dr. Surbhi Dayal, faculty at IIM Indore and an expert in Madhubani art, facilitated an interdisciplinary dialogue connecting mindfulness, artistic expression, and lifestyle transformation. These workshops encouraged participants to align theoretical frameworks with lived emotional and cognitive experiences.

 The conference concluded with addresses by Dr. Oleg Medvedev, University of Waikato, New Zealand, Dr. Prachi Thakur, JAGSoM, India & Sunway University, Malaysia, and Dr. Yanki Hartijasti, Universitas Indonesia, who highlighted emerging global research collaborations and the role of mindfulness in shaping resilient institutions and societies. The valedictory session included an expression of gratitude to contributors, participants, and the organising committee for fostering a vibrant platform for dialogue and discovery.

 As the world accelerates in complexity, IRCM 2026 reaffirmed the importance of reflection, clarity, and conscious engagement. Mindfulness remains a core value of IIM Bodh Gaya, and the institute is committed to embedding it across teaching, research, and leadership development to nurture responsible, self-aware, and socially conscious leaders.