Recognising innovators in the education sector at the ET Education Leadership Summit 2024

Education is the cornerstone of nation-building. It is not merely a profession but a passion that inspires many to make a profound impact on the lives of learners and society. Acknowledging this, the ET Education Leadership Summit 2024 took place at the HICC Novotel in Hyderabad, celebrating educators and institutions that are thought leaders and changemakers in India’s education system.

The ET Education Leadership Summit 2024, now in its second edition, is a prestigious gathering of distinguished leaders, visionaries, and professionals from the education sector. In response to the challenges faced by our developing economy, numerous educational institutions and educators across the country have risen to the occasion, shaping today's students and preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow.

The ET Education Leadership Summit 2024 is not just a meeting of minds but a prestigious platform that recognises and felicitates individuals who have made exceptional contributions to education. This compilation of exemplary achievers includes notable personalities from the field of education and dynamic professionals with impeccable academic backgrounds. Honoured in this special feature are individuals whose dedication and commitment have not only improved the quality of education but also enriched the lives of students. Through their efforts, these individuals have empowered young minds by demonstrating instructional expertise, implementing distinctive curriculums, and enhancing creativity and innovation in the classroom. They have made learning engaging, vibrant, and relevant for students. Enriching students’ lives with their contribution, these educators have gone the extra mile to ensure vibrant, relevant and engaging learning can significantly change the world.

Reputed Indian Men’s Cricket player, Cheteshwar Pujara, presided over the event as the Chief Guest and felicitated the innovators who were awarded. The awards were spread across the board, recognising excellence in various segments of primary, school and higher college education. Pujara reminisced about the games he played in Hyderabad, shared anecdotes of favourite knocks from his career, and spoke about the importance of good educators. “I have a goal; once I retire, I want to study further”, he shared.

The event was preceded by two panel discussions. The first round of panellists included Ramesh Loganathan (Professor, IIIT Hyderabad), Ramakrishna Lingireddy (IT Industry Leader) and Dr Archana Mantri (Vice Chancellor, Anurag University). They shared important insights into ‘Adapting Higher Education to the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunities’.

This was followed by a second enlightening panel discussion on ‘Innovative Approaches to Educational Leadership: Lessons from Global Perspectives’. The panellists, Dr Seetha Murty (Director of Education, Silver Oaks International School), Dipika Rao (Principal, Oakridge International School Gachibowli), Dr Chandrashekar (CEO, Jain Group of Institutions), and Sinduri Reddy (Founder, The Premia Academy), urged the adoption of a student-centric approach.

The event not only acknowledged hardworking professionals but also served as a platform for knowledge sharing and networking amongst the finest, bringing together key stakeholders from the education sector. The awards brought to the forefront a growing shift in how schools define success and excellence. In the process of leveraging technology to solve problems, integrating collaborative learning to cultivate innovation and inclusion, and using technology to shape our understanding of children, one would not be raising a generation but making a nation. The venue partner is Novotel HICC and the trophy partner, Guru’s.

The panel discusses insights and strategies in education
Ramesh Loganathan, Professor, IIIT Hyderabad, said, “Instead of emphasising excellence in competitive exams, there is a call for a shift towards a more solution-oriented approach to teaching. Drawing inspiration from Estonian tech firms, there is a suggestion to enhance the promotion of our own skills and assets. This aims to transition from supporting backend operations to taking a more prominent role in frontend operations by offering solutions directly, rather than assisting Western companies in their development. The fundamental change needed to enhance problem-solving capabilities involves adopting a mindset of observe, understand, and solve."

“Collaboration between academia and industry is essential to train educators on the latest innovations, ensuring that this knowledge is passed down to students. Implementing dynamic, experiential learning methods, such as gamification, is the future of education. Effective collaboration and adequate investment are crucial for fostering innovative research,” shared an IT industry leader Ramakrishna Lingireddy.

Dr Archana Mantri, the Vice Chancellor of Anurag University, shared, “Our prime responsibility is to educate, and digital shifts must be supported by policies and adapted across all levels at institutions. Digital transformation should be recognised as a strategic priority and cyber security should be considered as a mainstream issue.”

Dr Seetha Murty, Director of Education Silver Oaks International School, said, “There is a proposed paradigm shift in the mindset of educators to empower students culturally and grant them autonomy, choice, and ownership over their curriculum. Drawing inspiration from Scandinavian educational practices, where young children are encouraged to make independent choices, contrasts are drawn with the more controlling environment often found in Indian culture. Innovation is a belief system more than anything (we must move) from a traditional system of assessment to a democracy in assessment.”

Dipika Rao, Principal of Oakridge International School Gachibowli, added, “Being born into a digital world makes all the more difference, as the current generation can easily adopt technology while there’s still a natural resistance from teachers and management. Urged leaders to focus on internal capacity building, time management, and taking more risks in favour of students. Changing mindsets and envisioning long-term solutions is imperative. This approach should go hand-in-hand with a culture of collaboration.”

Sharing his two cents, Dr Chandrashekar, CEO of Jain Group of Institutions, said, “In my view, it's crucial to look at lessons from global educational systems, particularly in terms of sustainability and integration within our education frameworks. How can we adopt and implement these best practices into our curriculum? It’s essential to prioritise project-based learning, raise awareness about non-traditional careers, and encourage our students to diversify and explore new paths.”

Sinduri Reddy, Founder of The Premia Academy, explained, “We imbibe a culture of pressure and isolation among students. The truth is that no civilisation has thrived without collaboration at the heart of it. Fostering collaboration over competitiveness would result in better solutions and eliminate most of the world’s problems.”

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