EduSkills Conclave Report 2025

5th

Edition

Conclave Report

ANNUAL

CONCLAVE

2 0 2 5

1 7 1 8 1 9 SEP 2025 | East Bourne-A Pine Forest Resort, Shimla

FOR

AI

Artificial Intelligence for

Academia & Industry

SHIMLA

THE QUEEN OF HILLS

About the Conclave

EduSkills Connect’25 and EduSkills HR Summit’25 are flagship national conclaves aimed at bridging the gap

between academia and industry through transformative dialogue and partnerships. These twin events will

bring together thought leaders from corporates, academic institutions, HR & TA communities,

government, and policy-making bodies to reimagine the future of workforce development in India.

With the central theme “AI for AI – Artificial Intelligence for Academia & Industry”, the conclave will focus on

how cutting-edge technologies are redefining hiring, skilling, education, and talent strategy.

Why

FOR

AI

Because the future of education is not just digital—

It’s intelligent, adaptive, and innovation-driven.

Key Focus Areas:

Integrating

AI into teaching,

learning & research

Preparing

students for

AI-centric careers

in industry

Enabling

industry-academia

collaborations

through AI

Leveraging AI

for curriculum

innovation and

employability

Showcasing realworld

AI applications

across domains

Outcome-Based

Internship & Talent

Pipelines

AI in Talent

Acquisition &

HR Tech

Campus-driven

innovation in AI

Event Highlights

Keynote

Session

By Policy

Makers

Keynote

Session

By CEO &

CHRO

HR

Roundtables

& Panel

Discussions

Focused

Panel

Discussions

Award &

Recognitions

Thank

You

Shubhajit Jagadev

Founder & CEO

EduSkills Foundation

As we conclude yet another successful chapter of the EduSkills Connect & HR Summit

2025, my heart is filled with immense pride and gratitude. What began as a small idea to

bridge the gap between academia and industry has now evolved into a national

movement — one that unites educators, corporates, policymakers, and young minds

under a shared vision of building a future-ready India.

This year’s summit in Shimla truly embodied the spirit of collaboration and innovation.

With the theme “India’s AI Moment – Building a Future-Ready Workforce,” we

witnessed powerful conversations on how Artificial Intelligence, industry-academia

partnerships, and new-age skilling models are redefining the talent landscape.

We had the privilege of hosting visionary education leaders, HR pioneers, and

government representatives, who shared actionable insights that will shape the next

phase of workforce transformation.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to all our partners, speakers, EduSkills Member

Institutions, and HR Talent Community leaders for their unwavering trust and

collaboration.

The success of this event reaffirms our belief — when education and industry move

together with purpose, transformation becomes inevitable. Let us continue to work

collectively to make Skilled India a global reality.

Together, we are not just shaping careers — we are shaping the *future of education,

employment, and empowerment.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Let’s keep the momentum alive — one skill, one story, and one student at a time.

Dignitaries

Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla

Hon'ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh

Prof. K. K. Aggarwal

Hon’ble President,

South Asian University, (SAARC)

Ministry Of External Affairs

Govt. of India

Dr. Raghab Prasad Dash

Advisor - AICTE, Ministry of Education

Joint Secretary

Rajya Sabha Secretariat

Special Guest

Dr. Buddha Chandrasekhar

CEO, Anuvadini AI & CCO, AICTE

Ministry of Education

Govt. of India

Dr. J P Dash

Principal Director, NADP

Ministry of Defence

Ashish Vidyarthi

Actor & Motivational Speaker

Speakers

Jaikrishna B

President - Group HR

Amara Raja Group

Dr. Haraprasad Panda

Executive President

Kapston Services

Raj Pagaku

Vice President of Engineering,

Juniper Networks

Sudhir Aggarwal

CHRO and Director

Orbit Techsol

Mohini Palchowdhury

Global Head-People and Culture

Quantiphi

Veera Reddy

Chief People Officer

Accion Labs

Shyamkanta Mishra

Global Head Talent Acquisition

Amdocs

Ancy Nimsha Sreenivasan

Head of People & Culture

APAC, Zywave

Ashwin Upadhyay

AVP - Operations (Talent Acquisition

& Work Force Management), KPIT

Akram Pasha

Associate Director

Microchip

Anuj Bhatnagar

Director - India Services

Celonis

Prathyusha Puppala

JAPAC Adoption Lead,

Google Cloud Learning Services

Abhir Naik

Global Head, Academic

Alliances, Zscaler

Ashish Tanwar

Head of University Hiring,

(India & APJ), Zscaler

Charles Godwin

HR Leader

Zoho

Udhaya Shankar

Manager Talent Acquisition

Microchip Technology

Pratibha Singh

Business Development Lead

AWS EP India

Asad Suhail

Professional Services Manager

Palo Alto Networks

Dushyant Chhabra

Sr Manager- Employer Channel

Wadhwani Foundation

Ramesha BS

Head - Academic Initiatives

Altair

Rajesh Kumar

Sr. Sales Engineer

Juniper Networks

Rajeshkumar Chemalli

Head of Technical Services

DC Infotech & Communication

Sumit Jalan

Director

Taksheela

Dr. K. Mallikharjuna Babu

Vice Chancellor

Galgotias University

Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla

Hon'ble Governor

Himachal Pradesh

Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh, delivered a deeply reflective

and philosophical address at the EduSkills HR Summit ’25, centering on the theme “Purani Neev,

Naya Nirman” (Old Foundation, New Construction). His address emphasized that true national

progress lies in harmonizing the timeless wisdom of India’s intellectual traditions with the

dynamism of modern technological advancement.

The Governor highlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative yet double-edged

development—an extraordinary “skill” that must remain subordinate to human “education” and

intellect (buddhi). He cautioned against blind reliance on technology, illustrating through

relatable analogies how convenience-driven progress can erode natural human faculties. The

address also called for accountability among NGOs, underscored the interdependence of

education and skills, and concluded with a profound reminder that India’s journey toward Viksit

Bharat (Developed India) must be anchored in core values, moral clarity, and spiritual depth.

Accountability and Action in Social Work

The Governor opened with a call for greater transparency and measurable outcomes in the functioning of NGOs.

Work Over Ceremony: He urged that “our focus should be on work, not on the function,” advocating for impactdriven

initiatives over symbolic events.

Post-Event Follow-Up: To ensure meaningful engagement, he requested EduSkills to share a summary

report of the summit’s proceedings to evaluate its tangible outcomes.

Model for Governance: In Himachal Pradesh, he has instructed his administration to compile a database of

active NGOs and verify whether government funds are being effectively used for genuine social benefit.

This emphasis on accountability with action set the tone for a broader discourse on responsible innovation and

development.

“Purani Neev, Naya Nirman”: Building the New on the Old

At the heart of the Governor’s address was the guiding principle of “Purani Neev, Naya Nirman.”

Balancing Tradition and Modernity: He asserted that progress must rest upon the strong foundation of

India’s traditional wisdom, ethics, and intellect while embracing modern tools like AI and emerging

technologies.

Evolution, Not Replacement: He advocated that innovation should not discard old wisdom but should evolve

from it—much like constructing a new structure on a time-tested foundation.

This philosophy, he said, offers a sustainable model for modern India—a nation that innovates without losing its

moral compass.

A Cautionary Perspective on Artificial Intelligence

Shri Shukla acknowledged AI’s importance in shaping the future but cautioned that it must remain a tool guided by

human reasoning, not a replacement for it.

The Landline Analogy: He vividly illustrated how dependence on technology can weaken innate human

faculties, noting that in the landline era, people memorized phone numbers, whereas today, even close family

numbers are forgotten.

5th Edition of EduSkills Connect'25 | 2nd Edition of EduSkills HR Summit'25 | Conclave Report |01

AI as a Skill, Not Intellect: “AI is a skill,” he said, “but it must be guided by education.” AI can generate data or

content, but human intellect must validate its accuracy and relevance.

The Limits of Prediction: He cited weather forecasting errors as examples of nature defying computational

prediction, reminding that human intuition and adaptability remain irreplaceable.

Creators’ Dilemma: Recalling reports of AI’s creators expressing unease about its potential misuse, he urged

for deeper shodh (research) before deploying powerful technologies unchecked.

Through a comic book analogy of a supercomputer turning against its creators, he cautioned that technology

without moral and intellectual guidance risks becoming a threat to humanity.

Education and Skills: Two Sides of the Same Coin

A major focus of the Governor’s address was the seamless integration of education (shiksha) and skills (kaushal).

Mutual Reinforcement: He asserted, “Skill is propelled by education, and education is enhanced by skill.”

Education as Nourishment: Education, he described, is the khurak (nourishment) that gives depth and ethical

direction to skills. Without it, skills remain mechanical and devoid of human value.

Balanced Development: India’s progress, he emphasized, depends on employing both natural intelligence

(buddhi) and artificial intelligence (kritrim medha) in harmony, ensuring that technological advancement serves

human welfare rather than replaces it.

The Power of Thought and Spiritual Values

In a deeply philosophical conclusion, the Governor reaffirmed the supremacy of human intellect and moral thought

as the true foundation of progress.

The Henry Ford Example: He recounted how Henry Ford’s highest-paid employee was the one who “just

thought.” This story underscored that creative thinking—vichar—is the real driver of innovation and industry.

AI as a Product of Human Thought: He reminded that AI is a byproduct of human intellect and warned,

“Artificial intelligence will die the day our intelligence ends. So, let us all keep our intelligence safe.”

Moral and Spiritual Anchors: Drawing from Indian epics and philosophy, he invoked three timeless lessons:

- Nachiketa and Yamaraj — the quest for truth beyond material desire.

- Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa — the choice of knowledge and detachment

(vairagya) over wealth.

- Lord Rama — choosing righteousness and duty over personal gain.

These narratives, he said, exemplify that India’s strength lies not merely in intellect but in moral conviction. For a

Viksit Bharat, citizens must embrace vairagya—detachment from selfish pursuits and commitment to collective

good.

Conclusion

His address at the EduSkills HR Summit ’25 was a powerful confluence of ethics, intellect, and modernity. He

urged the nation’s educators, technologists, and policymakers to uphold the balance between human wisdom and

technological power. His message—rooted in the philosophy of “Purani Neev, Naya Nirman”—serves as a timely

reminder that the road to a Viksit Bharat must be paved not only with innovation but also with introspection,

responsibility, and enduring human values.



Hon’ble President


Ministry of External Affairs

Govt. of India

Keynote Address

on 17th Sep 2025

At EduSkills Connect’25, Professor K. K. Aggarwal, President of South Asian University,

delivered a compelling address on the urgent reforms needed in India’s education system to

achieve the national goal of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” He argued that India must dismantle the

historical separation between education and skills, embrace academia–industry collaboration,

and empower students with confidence, creativity, and adaptability. Far from being a threat,

Artificial Intelligence was positioned as a tool that must be mastered under the guidance of

human intellect. The address blended sharp critique with actionable recommendations, urging

stakeholders to unite in building a future-ready education ecosystem.

Academia–Industry Collaboration: A Non-Negotiable Imperative

Professor Aggarwal identified the lack of collaboration between academia and industry as India’s greatest

weakness compared to developed nations. While other countries have strong, institutionalized linkages, even

India’s top institutions lag significantly.

Collaboration Deficit: The absence of industry-embedded education limits employability and innovation.

Survival, Not Choice: Such collaboration is now “a must for survival” if India is to achieve its 2047 vision.

Role of EduSkills: Platforms like EduSkills were praised for fostering convergence, with visible impact

through large-scale internship programs.

Rethinking the Education System

Professor Aggarwal’s critique centered on systemic flaws that keep Indian higher education disconnected from

society and industry.

The Education–Skills Divide

Education and skills were wrongly treated as separate, reinforcing elitism.

Universities restricted themselves to narrowly defined “knowledge,” ignoring employability and societal

challenges.

Unlike global universities that integrate with local communities, Indian institutions often remain detached.

Four Pillars of Holistic Education

Based on the NBA framework, true graduates must embody: Knowledge, Skills, Attitude, and Behavior.

Current curricula overemphasize knowledge, while attitude and behavior are neglected. Professor Aggarwal

stressed that these values must be integrated into every subject, with faculty modeling them daily.

Outcome-Based Education (OBE)

The NEP was hailed as India’s first true outcome-based policy, with the defined goal of producing good global

citizens. He drew parallels with traditional guru-shishya models, where outcomes were assessed by mastery, not

exams.


National Vision and Mindset Shifts

Defined Goal: Viksit Bharat 2047

The Prime Minister’s declaration of 2047 as the deadline was likened to an engineering project—with a clear

cost, timeline, and deliverables. This clarity transforms aspiration into collective mission.

Crisis of Confidence

Despite world-class contributions (e.g., Indians behind Microsoft Windows), students often display a “skill of no

confidence.” Unlike American peers who highlight strengths, Indian students focus on shortcomings—whether

missing an IIT seat or regretting their chosen branch. Breaking this cycle requires cultivating confidence as a

skill.

Language, Creativity, and Status

Creativity flourishes in the language of one’s dreams, often Indian mother tongues, not English.

English fluency is vital for global competition, but its role as a status symbol has distorted priorities, often at

high social cost.

Navigating the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Professor Aggarwal framed AI as part of the natural evolution of technology: from CS (Common Sense) to IT

(India’s Tomorrow) to AI (for All Indians).

Humanity First: “I” must precede “T”—human intellect guiding technology.

AI as Assistant: AI should remain a tool, never a master.

Job Displacement: AI will take jobs only if individuals become complacent. Mastery of AI enables job

creation.

Meta-Skills for the Unknown Future: With 65% of graduates entering jobs yet to be defined, students must

be equipped to “learn to learn.”

Strategic Recommendations and Call to Action

Professor Aggarwal concluded with actionable steps:

Global Expansion: Support for EduSkills’ international outreach, leveraging South Asian University as a

regional platform.

Recognition of Growth: Award systems should also celebrate “best growing centers” to encourage

continuous improvement across institutions.

Conclusion

Professor Aggarwal’s address was a clarion call for bold reforms and collective action. By uniting academia,

industry, government, and communities, and by fostering confidence, creativity, and adaptability among

students, India can transform its education system into the foundation of Viksit Bharat 2047.



Hon’ble President


Ministry of External Affairs

Govt. of India

Keynote Address

on 19th Sep 2025

Professor K. K. Aggarwal, President of the South Asian University (SAARC), delivered a thoughtprovoking

address at the EduSkills HR Summit ’25 on the urgent need to merge academic

education with employable skills. He emphasized that theoretical knowledge alone cannot drive

innovation or sound decision-making—only the integration of skills can convert learning into

national strength. Using powerful analogies, including one drawn from military strategy,

Professor Aggarwal underscored the pitfalls of “bookish knowledge” and advocated for a

balanced, application-oriented education ecosystem.

Drawing inspiration from the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, he presented a

strategic model for continuous innovation that balances creation, sustenance, and “thoughtful

destruction.” He also emphasized India’s potential to lead the global skilling movement,

particularly across South Asia, through institutions like the South Asian University and

partnerships with EduSkills. The address concluded with a strong call for focused national

efforts in Artificial Intelligence for societal transformation.

Integrating Education and Skills: A National Imperative

Professor Aggarwal’s central argument centers on the necessity of blending education with practical skills to truly

empower India’s youth.

Core Message: “Just education, which is called knowledge, will not be enough; skills are also necessary.”

Policy Alignment: The National Education Policy (NEP) and governmental focus on skill development are

driving this transformation.

Global Context: Indian professionals already constitute 35–40% of the workforce in major U.S. corporations.

Integrating skills ensures India retains its global edge.

Cultural Shift: The challenge lies less in resources and more in mindset—shifting from rote learning to

experiential application.

The Fighter Jet Analogy: Lessons Beyond Bookish Knowledge

To demonstrate the limitations of theoretical thinking, Professor Aggarwal shared a compelling story about wartime

aircraft reinforcement.

Scenario: Military strategists analyzed returning fighter jets and found bullet holes mainly in the tail section,

deciding to reinforce that area.

Critical Insight: A practical thinker pointed out that planes which did not return likely sustained fatal hits

elsewhere—especially in the front.

Lesson: The correct solution was to strengthen the aircraft’s front, not the tail.

This anecdote vividly illustrates how purely academic reasoning—untempered by practical insight—can lead to

fundamentally flawed conclusions.

The Brahma–Vishnu–Mahesh Model: A Framework for Innovation

Professor Aggarwal presented a management model inspired by Indian philosophy, observed at a U.S. company

that applied it to innovation cycles.


Division

Brahma

Vishnu

Mahesh

Deity Analogy

The Creator

The Sustainer

The Destroyer

Present: Electric & Smart Vehicles

Research and conceptualization of new products

or ideas

Ensures viability, scalability, and sustainability of

innovations.

Determines when obsolete technologies

should be discontinued to make way for new ones.

This framework, he emphasized, is rooted in the concept of “construction emerging from thoughtful destruction.”

He likened it to nature itself—where a seed must break to grow, and an egg must crack for a bird to emerge. True

innovation, he noted, requires the courage to let go of the old to make space for the new.

India’s Next Frontier: Artificial Intelligence with Purpose

Professor Aggarwal identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the defining technology for India’s next growth phase.

While substantial progress has been made, he urged for “much greater intensity” in the following domains:

AI for Healthcare

AI for Agriculture

AI for Manufacturing

AI for Education

AI, he suggested, is not merely a technological tool but a transformative enabler for inclusive national

development.

Regional Leadership through Education and Skills Diplomacy

As President of the South Asian University, Professor Aggarwal outlined a vision for India to extend its educationand-skills

integration model to neighboring nations.

India’s Responsibility: To serve as a mentor nation in South Asia’s human capital development.

Collaborative Vision: The South Asian University, in partnership with EduSkills, aims to train youth across

SAARC nations using India’s successful skill-linked education model.

Global Relevance: This approach positions India not just as a knowledge exporter, but as a skills leader in the

global south.

Local Application: He urged the Governor of Himachal Pradesh to pilot this model in rural and aspirational

districts—especially in regions like Arunachal Pradesh—to foster self-reliant youth ecosystems.

Conclusion

Professor Aggarwal’s address served as both a reflection and a roadmap—challenging educators, policymakers,

and industry leaders to rethink how India prepares its young workforce. His call to action is clear: education must

go hand in hand with skills, innovation must embrace “thoughtful destruction,” and India must share its success

model with the world. Through collaboration between institutions like the South Asian University and EduSkills,

India can truly become the “Vishwa Guru” of the skills-driven era.


Dr. Raghab Prasad Dash

Advisor - AICTE, Ministry of Education,

Joint Secretary

Rajya Sabha Secretariat

Dr. Raghab P. Dash highlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) as India’s defining force for economic

and social transformation, dubbing it the nation’s tech moment. India now possesses 16% of

global AI talent, has seen a 14× growth in AI-skilled professionals (2016–2023), and ranks #1

globally in AI skill penetration, including women. NITI Aayog projects AI could add USD 500–600

billion to India’s GDP by 2035, particularly in manufacturing, finance, and education.

Two pivotal themes emerged:

The “India Data” Imperative — leveraging indigenous, multilingual datasets to ensure AI is

ethical, inclusive, and contextually intelligent.

AI in Education as the “Next UPI Moment” — enabling personalized, accessible learning at scale,

akin to the digital payments revolution.

Dr. Dash’s call to action urged academia, industry, and policymakers to collaboratively make AI

central to Viksit Bharat @ 2047

India’s Economic and Technological Context

AI is no longer a sector but the foundation of development. Dr. Dash framed technology as essential for inclusive

growth and global competitiveness:

AI = Aspirational Innovation — “an aspirational India can only grow with innovation.”

Missing Industry 4.0 adoption risks falling behind in the global tech economy.

India’s Emerging Leadership in AI

Metric

India’s Standing

Global AI Talent Share

16 %

Workforce Growth (2016–2023)

14×

Significance

Human capital strength

Rapid capacity building

Generative AI Projects (GitHub)

AI Skill Penetration

Women in AI Skills

#2

#1

#1

Vibrant developer community

Ahead of US & Germany

Inclusion in action

These metrics position India as a potential global leader in responsible, inclusive AI development.

Economic Potential and Sectoral Priorities

NITI Aayog estimates USD 500–600B GDP contribution by 2035; USD 280–475B in value-chain innovation. Key

sectors:

Manufacturing: Enhance productivity and global competitiveness.

Finance: Strengthen FinTech and digital finance ecosystem.

Education: Scale skill development and personalized learning.

Achieving this requires computing grids, AI cores, sectoral sandboxes, and large-scale workforce skilling — areas

where EduSkills contributes significantly.


Policy Framework and Government Initiatives

India’s proactive policy landscape includes:

IndiaAI Mission (₹10,300 Cr): Large-scale computing infrastructure (~18,693 GPUs).

National Education Policy (NEP 2020): Embeds digital literacy, innovation, and inclusivity.

Dedicated Budget: ₹500 Cr for AI in education.

National Research Foundation (NRF, ₹50,000 Cr): Co-funds industry-academia AI research.

These initiatives form the policy-to-practice bridge for institutions and HR leaders.

The “India Data” Imperative

Data sovereignty is critical. Western-trained AI models fail to reflect India’s linguistic and cultural diversity. Dr.

Dash emphasized building indigenous datasets across 22 official languages and 19,500 mother tongues to

ensure ethical, inclusive AI.

AI in Education: The Next UPI Moment

AI can replicate the UPI revolution in education:

UPI Impact: 50% of global digital payments; 700M users; ₹25 lakh crore monthly volume.

AI Potential: Universalize personalized learning, skill recognition, and job readiness, positioning India as a

global model for digital learning inclusion.

AI for National Missions and Societal Impact

AI is a nation-building catalyst:

Global Manufacturing Hub: Raise manufacturing GDP from 17% to 25%, enabled by AI and PLI schemes.

Climate Action: Predictive flood management, renewable-energy optimization, and resilience planning.

Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Achieving a developed India through synergy of academia, industry, and technology.

Conclusion: A Call for Collaborative Acceleration

Dr. Dash concluded that India’s AI moment is both an economic opportunity and moral responsibility.

Collective action from government, academia, corporates, and skilling organizations like EduSkills is

essential to build an ethical, skilled, and empowered workforce.

“AI is not just Artificial Intelligence—it is Aspirational Innovation. The journey to Viksit Bharat begins with skilled,

ethical, and empowered human intelligence.”

The address served as both inspiration and blueprint, outlining a roadmap to transform India’s demographic

dividend into a digitally skilled, globally competitive workforce ready for the AI-driven era.





Keynote Address

on 17th Sep 2025

At EduSkills Connect’24, Dr. Chandrasekhar Buddha, Chief Coordinating Officer of AICTE,

Ministry of Education, delivered a visionary address on India’s journey from a “developing” to a

“developed” nation. His central message underscored the transformation of India’s education

ecosystem, the role of technology as an enabler, and the need to align industry, academia, and

cultural values. With the goal of creating one crore internship opportunities by 2025, Dr. Buddha

positioned education reform and collective action as the backbone of building a “Vikasit Bharat.”

National Vision: From Developing to Developed

Dr. Buddha emphasized a decisive shift in mindset—moving beyond the “developing nation” tag towards

becoming not just “developed” but a “developer nation” that creates, innovates, and leads. Drawing on India’s

historic legacy as a global hub of learning, he urged stakeholders to work collectively to reclaim that status. He

credited the current leadership for instilling ambition and impatience with mediocrity, stressing that Indians excel

individually worldwide, but the nation must act in unison to achieve shared goals.

Transforming India’s Education System

Education reform was presented as the vehicle for this national vision. Critiquing earlier policies as having made

Indians “servants to the West,” Dr. Buddha praised the NEP framework for fostering creativity, resilience, and

lifelong learning. Key pillars include:

Freedom to Fail: Encouraging experimentation and innovation.

Continuous Skilling: Promoting skilling, upskilling, and reskilling for all learners.

Content Creation: Enabling Indians to become global creators, not just consumers, across fields from

technology to culture.

Bridging Academia and Industry Through Internships

A flagship initiative is the AICTE–EduSkills Internship Program, aimed at reducing the academia-industry gap.

Dr. Buddha called for “shop floors and offices within campuses,” fostering direct student exposure to real-time

industry practices.

Program Impact (as of 2024):

79+ lakh internships enabled; 7.3 lakh through EduSkills partnership.

Target: 1 crore internships by 2025.

83,000 companies onboarded.

Inclusive reach: 48% women, 27–29% from economically weaker sections, strong participation from 1st–4th

year students.

This model exemplifies scalable, inclusive, and industry-driven skilling.


Technology, Innovation, and Indian Ingenuity

Reframing AI as “Advanced India,” Dr. Buddha stressed technology must remain a human assistant, not master.

He highlighted Indian ingenuity through frugal problem-solving and urged stronger patent culture, noting India’s

low 1.2% rate compared to global peers. Government-backed student patent support was presented as a

solution.

Notable innovations include an AI-driven translation tool for 23 Indian languages, ensuring accessibility in

mother tongues.

Symbiosis of Tradition and Modernity

Progress, Dr. Buddha argued, must coexist with cultural roots. He highlighted:

Cognitive value of Indian languages, citing their neurological benefits.

Community life and family structures as essential to balanced human development.

A caution against uncritical adoption of Western norms that risk producing “robots, not humans.”

The call was to integrate heritage, festivals, and family values with modern education to nurture responsible

global citizens.

A Call for Unified Action

The address closed with a call for collective responsibility:

Institutions: Bring industry onto campuses, encourage patenting, and expose faculty to industry practices.

Industry: Partner actively in creating learning opportunities.

Individuals: Contribute ideas and initiatives towards a stronger, collaborative India.

“As individuals Indians are the best, but together we must build a better Bharat, a Vikasit Bharat, and a wonderful

world,”





Keynote Address on 18th Sep 2025

Topic: Anuvadini AI

Anuadini AI is a Make in India generative AI and large language model (LLM) developed by the

Government of India to overcome the nation’s deep-rooted language divide—identified as one

of the most significant barriers to inclusive economic growth.

Developed under the Ministry of Education and AICTE, Anuadini represents India’s stride toward

digital sovereignty, offering a patented, homegrown alternative to foreign translation systems. It

supports 23 Indian and 57 global languages across voice, text, and documents, and has already

translated over 150 crore documents.

The platform is not only a technological breakthrough but a strategic instrument for

empowerment, enabling citizens, educators, and businesses to communicate, learn, and

transact in their own languages—fueling the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

The Challenge: India’s Language Divide

India’s linguistic diversity, though culturally rich, has become an economic constraint.

85% of Indians are unable to contribute directly to GDP due to lack of English proficiency.

Countries with linguistic uniformity, like Japan, exhibit higher economic productivity despite smaller

populations.

The absence of language-inclusive digital tools has restricted Indian creators and entrepreneurs from global

participation.

Anuadini AI directly addresses this linguistic exclusion, positioning language inclusion as a driver of economic

participation and social equity.

The Solution: Anuadini AI – India’s Sovereign LLM

Mission: To eliminate language barriers, foster unity, and enable every citizen to participate in the global digital

economy.

Ownership: Fully developed and maintained by the Government of India, ensuring sovereignty, security, and

data privacy.

Technological Superiority and Unique Patents

Anuadini’s innovation lies in its contextual understanding, document fidelity, and domain precision,

surpassing existing global tools.

Capability

Translation Logic

Training Data

Document Output

Domain Adaptation

Foreign Models

Word-by-word (often loses meaning)

Unstructured social media text

Text-only translation

Generic translation

Anuadini AI

Sentence-by-sentence, preserving emotion

and cultural nuance

56 years of official Govt. of India documents

Exact “Xerox-like” replication of layout,

tables, and image text

870 domain-specific dictionaries (Defence,

Oil, Chemistry, etc.)


Patented Innovations:

Document format replication preserving full visual integrity.

Video lip-sync translation that matches translated speech to speaker motion.

Speech-to-text input tool for all 23 Indian languages.

Web-form translation—a world-first technology allowing users to fill digital forms in any Indian language.

Platform Capabilities and Reach

Anuadini is a multi-modal, multi-format, and scalable translation ecosystem.

Supports 23 official Indian and 57 international languages (with tribal languages under development).

Enables real-time speech translation with just a two-second delay.

Processes PDFs, Word docs, images, and print layouts like InDesign.

Handles continuous speech input up to 47 minutes and can translate handwritten text.

Impact at Scale:

150+ crore documents translated.

4,000 Gita Press books converted into regional languages in two days.

1st and 2nd-year engineering textbooks, 721 skill books, AICTE, and UGC/NCERT resources digitized.

Adopted by the Home Ministry and 120 commercial clients, including 82 international organizations.

Supported by a 232-member development team and 23 language experts for quality assurance.

Extending the Vision: Samvadi – India’s Secure Messaging Platform

Built on the Anuadini engine, Samvadi is envisioned as a “better-than-WhatsApp” communication app

prioritizing security, privacy, and linguistic inclusion.

Purpose: Ensure Indian communication data remains sovereign and protected.

Features: Number masking, anti-fraud architecture, offline games, and embedded language-learning tools.

Status: In final testing with student users; national rollout expected shortly.

Samvadi embodies the broader vision of digital independence, reinforcing India’s resolve to build, own, and

control its digital ecosystem.

Strategic Significance and Outlook

Anuadini AI symbolizes a new phase of India’s digital transformation—rooted in cultural identity, technological

innovation, and self-reliance. It strengthens India’s global position by:

Making technology accessible in every Indian language.

Enabling public and private institutions to communicate inclusively.

Reducing dependence on foreign digital infrastructure.

Dr. Buddha concluded with a call to harness India’s indigenous ingenuity and punctual execution: “We all were

sleeping—he woke us up.”

Anuadini’s success demonstrates that India is not only capable of technological innovation but also ready to lead

the world toward a digitally sovereign and linguistically inclusive future.


Dr. J. P. Dash


Ministry of Defence

Keynote Address

on 17th Sep 2025

At EduSkills Connect’25, Dr. J. P. Dash delivered a compelling address emphasizing that India is

uniquely positioned to emerge as the “talent capital” of the world. With the largest youth

population globally and ambitious aspirations of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047, India

stands at a historic inflection point. However, realizing this vision requires a massive skill-driven

movement that aligns academic, industrial, and national priorities.

Central to his argument was the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—a “general

purpose technology” comparable to electricity and the steam engine. Dr. Dash highlighted that

India should not replicate global AI models, but instead leverage Small Language Models (SLMs)

to solve local problems at scale. He stressed the urgent need for lifelong learning,

complemented by change management, ethical judgment, and emotional intelligence, to

ensure that India’s youth can build a globally competitive yet uniquely Indian future.

India’s Demographic and Economic Opportunity

Demographic Dividend: India has 371 million youth aged 19–29, projected to grow further, making it the

largest working-age population globally.

Economic Vision: By 2047, India aspires to be a $30 trillion economy. With 80% of required infrastructure yet

to be built, a skilled workforce is indispensable.

Global Impact: India’s growth has global significance—when India grows, the world grows.

Key Challenge: Harnessing this demographic dividend requires collective action by academia, industry, and

government.

The AI Tsunami: Redefining Work and Society

AI as a General Purpose Technology: On par with historic inventions, AI is reshaping products, processes,

and business models.

Human-AI Collaboration: AI handles prediction; humans provide judgment. The “pilot analogy” highlights

why human oversight remains critical.

Complementary Skills: Success in the AI era requires not only technical proficiency but also ethical

reasoning, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

India’s Strategic Approach to AI

India AI Mission: Initiated in 2015, aiming to create a $1 trillion AI-powered digital economy.

Small Language Models (SLMs): A focused strategy for resource-efficient, targeted AI applications.

C-DAC Innovation: Development of “ser” model in six months demonstrates local capability.

Talent Transformation: With a 256% growth in AI talent, transitioning software developers into AI is both a

challenge and an opportunity.


Skills for the Future: Lifelong Learning Imperative

Shrinking Half-Life of Skills: From 5 years to as low as 2.5 years, demanding continuous reskilling.

Job Transformation: OECD estimated 14% jobs eliminated and 41% transformed—numbers now expected

to be higher in the generative AI era.

New Literacy: The ability to unlearn and relearn becomes the cornerstone of employability.

Beyond Technical Proficiency: Holistic Competencies

China’s Example: Success lies in precision skills and planning, not just low-cost labor.

Change Management: Organizational dynamics and project leadership are as vital as coding skills.

Moving Up the Value Chain: India must enable its workforce to transition from low-wage to high-value global

roles.

Academia–Industry Collaboration: The Marketplace Model

From Central Planning to Marketplaces: Knowledge and skills must be aligned with real industry needs

through decentralized platforms.

EduSkills as a Case Study: Commended for:

Providing real-world project exposure.

Faculty development and skilling programs.

Industry Centers of Excellence.

Connecting youth with hiring partners.

Call to Action: Building India’s Future

Dr. Dash concluded with a challenge: “The exam of 2047 awaits us.”

Unique Path: India must innovate by solving local problems at scale rather than replicating foreign models.

AI for AI: “Artificial Intelligence for Academia and Industry” must become a national movement.

Shared Responsibility: Government, academia, and industry must unite to empower youth to build the future

of India—and the world.

Conclusion

Dr. J. P. Dash’s address at EduSkills Connect’25 reframed India’s demographic advantage as both an opportunity

and a responsibility. His vision of AI-enabled, skill-driven, and industry-academia integrated growth offers a

roadmap for India to achieve its 2047 goals and establish itself as the global hub of talent and innovation.


Dr. J. P. Dash


Ministry of Defence

Keynote Address on 18th Sep 2025

Topic: AI Disruption to Industry :

The Future, Possibilities and

Implication

The address, “The AI Imperative: An Analysis of Technological Dominance and Strategic

Adoption,” emphasized that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the defining technology

shaping global power, productivity, and progress. The speaker underscored that AI is no longer

optional—it is the core determinant of economic and strategic competitiveness in the 21st

century.

AI’s rise signals a paradigm shift: nations and organizations that harness AI will lead; those that

delay adoption risk irrelevance. The overarching message was clear—“humans working with AI

will always do better.”

The Global AI Race and India’s Urgency

Technology has become the new currency of national strength, directly influencing GDP and global influence. The

discourse highlighted how leading nations, particularly China, have made AI central to their national agenda, while

India remains underrepresented in global AI discussions—an imbalance that demands immediate correction.

The rate of AI adoption illustrates its transformative pace: Instagram took 2.5 years to reach one million users,

TikTok took 9 months, and ChatGPT achieved it in just 5 days. This unprecedented acceleration reflects AI’s rapid

transition from emerging innovation to mainstream necessity.

AI Surpassing Human Performance

AI has reached a point where it consistently exceeds human benchmarks in precision, speed, and reasoning. The

address presented striking data:

Image Recognition: Error rates fell from 30% to 4%.

Self-Driving Systems: One error per 30 million operations.

USMLE Exam: AI achieved 91.9% accuracy.

AI now outperforms humans in image recognition, reading comprehension, and visual reasoning—an outcome of

its capacity to integrate multimodal data such as text, visuals, audio, and even biometric signals.

Transformative Applications Across Sectors

Ai’s tangible impact spans all major sectors, creating measurable business and social value:

Organization

AI Application

Outcome

Tesla

GE

Airbus

Data-driven vehicle optimization

AI design optimization

AI + 3D printing

Saved $2.7B

+20% efficiency, $100M gain

90% reduction in energy/material

Audi Virtual AI showrooms +60% sales

Salesforce Predictive simulations Smarter product launches


Healthcare has seen radical benefits, with AI diagnosing diseases, predicting outcomes, and assisting doctors

with decision-making. Domain-specific AI models are now emerging in oncology, pharmacy, and disaster

management.

In governance, Albania appointed an AI as its Public Procurement Minister—a global first. In education, AIenabled

teaching assistants and robots are already operational in Kerala schools. In defense, AI enhances

aircraft like the F-35 and optimizes logistics for complex operations.

Key Technological Shifts

Two defining trends are shaping AI’s next phase:

Small Language Models (SLMs): Lightweight, cost-efficient, and domain-specific models that democratize AI

adoption. Tech giants including Microsoft, Google, and Apple are pivoting toward SLM development.

Explainable AI (XAI): As transparency becomes vital, XAI addresses the “black box” challenge—tripling the

industry’s AI transparency index.

The future will also rely on resilient AI systems featuring graceful degradation, federated learning, and edge

computing, ensuring reliability even under stress or disruption.

A Framework for Strategic AI Adoption

Organizations seeking to leverage AI must adopt a structured, strategic approach based on five foundational

pillars:

Business Goals: Define objectives and validate AI’s relevance.

Organizational Readiness: Build leadership, talent, and an innovation-driven culture.

Data Strategy: Ensure continuous, structured, and accessible data pipelines.

Infrastructure: Invest in scalable computing—GPUs, TPUs, and high-speed networks.

Model Selection: Choose adaptable, context-specific AI/SLM models.

Human–AI Synergy: The Way Forward

The address concluded with a decisive message: AI will not replace humans, but humans using AI will

replace those who do not.

AI must be viewed as a cost-effective collaborator that amplifies human creativity, insight, and efficiency.

Embracing AI is not a technological choice—it is a strategic survival imperative. The nations, institutions, and

enterprises that act now will define the next era of global leadership and innovation.


Ashish Vidyarthi

Actor & Motivational Speaker

Ashish Vidyarthi’s address at EduSkills Connect 2025 was a compelling exploration of personal

evolution, lifelong learning, and the courage to reinvent oneself in an era of relentless change.

Framing his journey from a National Award-winning actor—celebrated as a “Universal

Villain”—to a motivational speaker and digital creator with over 8 million followers, Vidyarthi

delivered a powerful message: relevance is not inherited from past success but sustained

through constant reinvention and audacious action.

He urged educational leaders to embody the mindset of a “lifelong explorer”—individuals who

stay hungry for growth, redefine themselves, and nurture the same spirit in others. The future,

he concluded, is not a threat to stability but an “exciting possibility” for discovery, creation, and

contribution.

Context and Audience Acknowledgment

The session formed part of the “Pathway Conversation” series at the EduSkills Connect 2025 conclave in Shimla.

Addressing an audience of academic and industry leaders—whom he referred to as “stalwarts and dear

friends”—Vidyarthi recognized their impact in:

Adding exponential value to organizations and education systems

Disrupting the status quo

Demonstrating exemplary leadership and innovation

He positioned the conversation as a shared reflection on staying relevant and valuable in a fast-changing world.

The Central Theme: Reinvention in a Transformed World

The Imperative of Change

“The outside world has changed completely,” Vidyarthi declared, identifying the pandemic as a “disruptor” that

forced every individual to rethink purpose, profession, and perspective. This transformation, he argued, must

spark internal evolution—a conscious choice to stay adaptable and curious.

Crafting a Personal Story

Vidyarthi challenged the audience to own and evolve their personal stories:

Self-worth and Purpose: “I matter. I am here to add to life.”

Fluid Identity: “Because like life, I too ain’t fixed.”

Core Question: “How hungry am I to live my unique story?”

Audacity and Resilience: “Results are often created in spite, not because, of circumstances.”

This mindset, he noted, transforms uncertainty into a catalyst for discovery.

Principles for Lifelong Relevance

Transcending Origins and Perceptions

“Doesn’t matter where I came from. What matters is where I am headed,” Vidyarthi asserted.

He recounted his own reinvention—from dying in “11 languages” on screen to inspiring millions online. What

others labeled “talkative,” he turned into a speaking career. His evolution illustrated that past achievements are

foundations, not frontiers.


The Philosophy of Action and Exploration

Vidyarthi emphasized that movement, not certainty, is the source of progress.

Mantra for Uncertainty: “When in doubt, move.”

Promise of Action: “As you move, new horizons shall appear.”

He urged participants to live as lifelong explorers, continuously engaging with new experiences and challenges.

The “Zara Sa Aur” (A Little Bit More) Mindset

This signature phrase encapsulated his call to stretch beyond limits:

“After giving my best… a little bit more.”

“De zindagi ko zara sa aur” (Give a little more to life)

“Le zindagi se zara sa aur” (Take a little more from life)

This incremental pursuit of excellence, he suggested, leads to discovery, depth, and joy.

Technology, Scale, and the Modern Stage

Vidyarthi reflected on how digital platforms democratize influence and storytelling. The pandemic, he said, created

a “toothpaste moment”—once the world opened up digitally, there was no going back.

He transitioned from being “world famous in Andheri (W)” to having a global digital footprint with over 8 million

followers across LinkedIn, Meta, Instagram, and YouTube.

However, he also critiqued technological exclusivity—how innovations by “IITs and MITs” often serve only “four out

of a hundred” people—calling for technology that truly empowers the masses.

A Call to Leadership: Nurturing the Future

The Role of the Nurturer

Vidyarthi reframed leadership as the art of nurturing nurturers —those who enable others to stay valuable,

relevant, and alive to new possibilities.

“Imagine a world willing to stay valuable for life. That’s the world you and I are nurturing.”

Vision for the Future

The address closed on an uplifting note of renewal and courage:

“As we step out of this conclave, we are not who we were. We are new.”

“The tomorrow is not a scare. The tomorrow is an exciting possibility.”

“Say hi to the inspiring, say bye to doubt.”

This message encapsulated a philosophy of courageous optimism—an invitation to embrace tomorrow not with

fear, but with creative anticipation.

Conclusion

Ashish Vidyarthi’s Pathway Conversation at EduSkills Connect 2025 served as both a mirror and a map—a

reflection on personal evolution and a roadmap for leaders navigating the future. Through storytelling, authenticity,

and insight, he redefined success as a journey of becoming, urging everyone to explore “a little bit more” each

day—to learn, to give, and to live with purpose.


Jaikrishna B

President - Group HR

Amara Raja Group

Topic: From Knowledge to Impact:

Nurturing AI Talent for Tomorrow's

World

Jaikrishna B’s address at the EduSkills HR Summit ’25 underscored that the development of AIready

talent capable of creating lasting societal impact requires a collaborative ecosystem

rather than isolated efforts. Using the powerful metaphor of cultivating a fruit-bearing tree, he

explained that nurturing future AI talent demands the synergistic roles of Academia (the Soil),

Industry (the Water), and Government (the Sunlight).

The “fruit” of this collective endeavor is not limited to job creation—it represents the emergence

of innovators, problem-solvers, and socially responsible technologists whose contributions

uplift communities and strengthen the nation’s AI ecosystem.

The Central Metaphor: Growing a Fruit-Bearing Tree

The speaker structured his narrative around a vivid metaphor that symbolizes the creation of a sustainable AI

talent pipeline:

Element

Symbolic Role

Function

The Seed

The Soil (Academia)

Nascent talent and ideas

Foundation

Potential that must be nurtured

Provides curiosity and knowledge base

The Water (Industry)

The Sunlight (Government)

The Fruit

Nurturer

Enabler

Outcome

Offers real-world challenges and

growth platforms

Provides policy, infrastructure,

and scale

Innovators whose work delivers social

and economic value

“Nothing can be done by great soil alone, nothing by water alone, nothing by sun alone—they have to come

together.”

Academia as the Foundation (The Soil)

Academia forms the fertile ground where curiosity is planted and nurtured. Its role extends beyond knowledge

dissemination to creating inquiry-driven learners capable of connecting theory to societal application.

Case Study: The Innovator from Uttar Pradesh

A compelling example illustrated this pillar:

Aspect

Background

Academic Nurturing

Innovation

Impact

Description

A young girl from a humble village in UP, daughter of a daily-wage

worker and assistant cook, observed drainage issues in local toilets.

Her teacher, Rajashri Srivastav, identified her curiosity and

mentored her in applying scientific principles.

Using simple materials, she devised a suction-based vacuum

solution that improved drainage and reduced dust.

Her innovation was recognized internationally; she was invited

to present it in Japan.


This story demonstrates how a single act of encouragement within academia can ignite innovation and purpose,

forming the first and strongest pillar of the ecosystem.

Industry as the Nurturer (The Water)

Industry provides the real-world context where theoretical knowledge evolves into applicable skill. By exposing

young minds to “real messy problems,” organizations empower them to test, fail, and innovate.

Case Study: Wadhwani AI (Wadi.ai)

The speaker cited Wadhwani AI as a leading example of how industry can translate technology into societal good.

Multi-sectoral Reach: Delivers AI-driven solutions across healthcare, agriculture, and education.

COVID-19 Response: Developed tools that supported decision-making and digital learning.

Education Focus: Built AI systems that help teachers identify learning gaps among students.

Collaborations: Works with global tech leaders such as Google and Microsoft, showcasing the role of crossindustry

partnerships in achieving scale and relevance.

Industry, he noted, must act as the “irrigation system” that sustains growth—bridging academic potential with

practical execution.

Government as the Enabler (The Sunlight)

Government serves as the essential sunlight that enables the entire ecosystem to flourish through supportive

policy, funding, and infrastructural facilitation.

Key enablers include:

Policy and Reform: Forward-looking AI strategies and digital frameworks.

Public Platforms: State-backed initiatives that promote innovation and research collaboration.

Resource Allocation: Grants and incentives for academia–industry R&D partnerships.

Scaling Impact: Support for expanding successful models nationally.

A concrete example was cited from Andhra Pradesh, where Wadhwani AI collaborates with eight government

departments—illustrating a thriving model of public–private partnership driving measurable outcomes.

The Synthesis: Collaboration for Societal Impact

The address concluded with a clear insight—no single stakeholder can cultivate AI talent alone. The fusion of

all three pillars creates a fertile environment where curiosity becomes innovation, and innovation becomes impact.

Goal

Beyond Employment

Societal Benefit

Sustainable Ecosystem

Outcome

Cultivating innovators and problem-solvers rather than job seekers.

Applying AI to improve education, health, and livelihoods.

Continuous collaboration among academia, industry, and government.

When academia propagates curiosity, industry nourishes capability, and government enables scale, the result is a

fruit-bearing tree—a new generation of AI professionals driving both economic growth and human development.

Conclusion

Jaikrishna B’s message was a clarion call to move from knowledge to impact through unified action. The

cultivation of AI talent, he emphasized, is not about producing more engineers or data scientists—it is about

creating thinkers, builders, and changemakers whose innovations benefit society.

This collaborative, ecosystem-based approach is essential for preparing India’s workforce for the AI-driven world

of tomorrow, ensuring that the nation’s growth is not only digital but deeply human in its purpose and impact.


Dr. Haraprasad Panda

Executive President

Kapston Services

Topic: Beyond Degrees: Competence,

Confidence & AI-Readiness

Dr. Haraprasad Panda emphasized that traditional academic degrees alone are no longer

sufficient for career success. Modern industry demands day-one ready talent, shifting the

paradigm from “Hire, Train, Deploy” to “Train Before You Deploy.” Career advancement now

depends on a triad of attributes: competence, confidence, and AI readiness. AI is framed not as

a threat, but as a transformative tool; individuals who leverage AI effectively will outperform

peers who do not, combining human creativity with machine intelligence to drive future success.

Diminishing Sufficiency of Academic Degrees

Degrees are foundational but insufficient; competence sustains career growth.

Industry Data: NASSCOM reports 40-45% of graduates are not job-ready due to lack of additional

competencies.

Historical Example: Infosys founders succeeded not due to elite degrees, but through strong coding skills,

confidence, and adaptability.

Key Quote: “Degree can open doors but competence keeps you inside.”

The Modern Professional Triad

Degrees are foundational but insufficient; competence sustains career growth.

A. Competence

Core differentiator; ability to perform a role effectively.

Example: Satya Nadella’s leadership success derives from team-building and empathetic decision-making.

B. Confidence

Often enables individuals to excel even when technical competence is limited.

Analogy: Abhimanyu in Mahabharata—confidently entered Chakravyuha with partial knowledge,

demonstrating conviction’s power.

C. AI Readiness

Mindset for leveraging AI is non-negotiable.

AI itself does not threaten jobs; peers who adopt AI do.

Key Quote: “AI is not going to replace people, but the people with AI capabilities will replace the people who do

not adopt AI.”

: NASSCOM reports 40-45% of graduates are not job-ready due to lack of additional competencies.

Historical Example: Infosys founders succeeded not due to elite degrees, but through strong coding skills,

confidence, and adaptability.

Key Quote: “Degree can open doors but competence keeps you inside.”


Transformative Impact of AI

AI is already reshaping industries and creating measurable benefits:

Domain

Human Health

Impact of AI & Technology

Extended lifespan by 5–10 years via early disease detection

Telecommunications

Energy

Telecom costs reduced ~1,000%

Electricity costs decreased 20-fold

Evolution of Job Market & Industry Expectations

Job Market Dynamics:

Transportation Cost of flights/trains decreased 20–30%

WEF predicts 80% of today’s jobs will become obsolete.

Emerging roles like “Chief Fun Officer” at JLL reflect new demands.

Industry Demands:

“Day-One Ready” talent is critical.

Shift from HTD (Hire, Train, Deploy) to TBD (Train Before Deploy).

India’s Economic & Demographic Outlook

65% of India’s population is under 40, offering a large, skilled workforce.

By 2047, India is projected to be the third-largest economy globally.

Concluding Vision

Dr. Panda called for a mindset shift, integrating human values with AI:

“Go beyond textbooks and recognize them through competence with confidence, given challenges turned into

opportunities, where human values meet AI and ML—that’s where future science shows new possibilities.”

Key Takeaway: Career readiness in the AI era requires combining demonstrable skills, self-assured

confidence, and proactive technology adoption to thrive in an ever-evolving professional landscape.


Raj Pagaku

Vice President of Engineering

Juniper Networks

Topic: From Reactive to Proactive:

AI Leading the Security Revolution

Raj Pagaku, Vice President of Engineering at Juniper Networks, underscores that the

intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and networking represents a

generational shift. Traditional reactive models of defense are obsolete in the face of AI-powered

cyber threats. A proactive, AI-driven approach is now essential for institutions and industries

alike.

Juniper Networks has responded to this reality by developing an AI-Native Networking Platform

(“Mist”) powered by the “Marvis” AI engine. The platform transforms network operations into a

self-driving system that detects, prevents, and resolves issues automatically. For academia, the

urgent call is to secure intellectual property and mainstream AI and cybersecurity literacy across

all disciplines, ensuring the next generation can thrive in an AI-powered world.

From Reactive to Proactive Security

Reactive Security – defending and responding during attacks – is no longer sufficient.

Proactive Security predicts threats based on probability and prevents them before they occur.

Analogy: Like Minority Report, networks must anticipate and block issues before exploitation.

The Changing Threat Landscape

AI has lowered the barrier to entry for attackers, making cybercrime more accessible:

Campus Hack (BBC, Sept 2025): A first-year student hacked into a university network in 15 minutes using AI

tools.

SaaS Supply Chain Attack: A 19-year-old breached a cloud provider serving 10,000 schools, exposing

sensitive data and forcing a ransom payment.

These incidents illustrate vulnerabilities in internal traffic (East-West) and the supply chain, stressing the need for

new defenses.

Market Challenges Driving Urgency

Digital Transformation: $3.4 trillion projected investments by 2026 larger, more complex systems.

IoT Explosion: 34.2 billion devices globally expand the attack surface beyond laptops/phones to appliances.

Skills Gap: 65% of IT leaders cite insufficient expertise. Universities can’t staff enough IT resources.

Escalating Risks: Cyberattacks cost trillions despite new tools, highlighting inadequate legacy models.

Hybrid work and multi-cloud dependence amplify these challenges, making Zero Trust Network Access a

critical priority.

AI: A Generational Shift

AI is compared to the advent of the internet—a dividing line between those who adapt and those who don’t.

74% of companies fail to realize AI value (BCG).

Common reasons: poor data quality, siloed operations, lack of automation, and networks not designed for AI.

Success requires integration, automation, and AI-ready infrastructure.


Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform

Core Philosophy: “With AI, For AI”

With AI: Using LLMs and reinforcement learning to automate network operations.

For AI: Providing infrastructure capable of supporting AI-driven workloads.

Key Components

Mist Platform & Marvis AI Engine – Unified platform that integrates hardware, software, and cloud with

AI-driven analytics and automation.

Foundational Pillars:

Right Data – massive telemetry collection.

Right Infrastructure – optimized pipelines.

Right Results – accurate AI decisions, no “hallucination.”

Integrated Security – built-in, not bolted-on.

Practical Impact: Automation in Action

Video Call Troubleshooting: Instead of raising tickets, IT can ask Marvis in plain English, which instantly

diagnoses and recommends fixes.

Self-Driving Network: Example: Marvis restores a broken security camera stream automatically and informs

IT staff after resolution.

Customer Results: Schools reported 80% less time spent on network management, freeing resources for

education.

Real-Time Adaptation: Networks self-adjust to unexpected events (e.g., 200 people suddenly filling a

conference room).

Call to Action for Academia

Protect Intellectual Property: Secure research, patents, and innovations with modern architectures.

Educate Across Disciplines: Cybersecurity and AI literacy must extend beyond computer science to all

faculty and students, including arts, commerce, and social sciences.

AI Training, Not Just Access: Tools like ChatGPT are like fire extinguishers—useless without training.

Students must learn context-driven prompting to avoid errors and misuse.

Academia-Industry Collaboration: Juniper & EduSkills

Juniper, in partnership with EduSkills, launched the Cloud and Automation Academy to:

Bridge Academia-Industry Gaps – align curriculum with market demands.

Train the Trainers – empower faculty with AI and cybersecurity expertise.

Equip Students – provide certifications, training, and internships for employability.

Conclusion

Raj Pagaku’s insights make clear that AI-powered networking is not optional but inevitable. The shift to

proactive, self-driving systems will define the resilience and competitiveness of institutions. Academia, in

particular, has a dual responsibility: to safeguard its digital assets and to prepare students in every discipline

for an AI-integrated future.


Sudhir Aggarwal

CHRO and Director

Orbit Techsol

Topic: Bridging the AI Divide:

Building a Future-Ready Talent and

Innovation Ecosystem for India

Sudhir Aggarwal highlighted the urgent need to rebuild a future-ready talent ecosystem in India.

He emphasized that the historical partnership between academia and industry, robust until

2000, has since deteriorated, creating a skills misalignment. Corporations have largely failed to

integrate NEP 2020 into their strategic planning, leading to a disconnect between the education

system’s output and industry needs.

Aggarwal advocated for a radical transformation of education, focusing on personalized

learning through AI, debunking fears of AI-driven unemployment, and emphasizing continuous

upskilling. He cited prompt engineering as a top global profession and proposed a “70-20-10”

framework for learning prioritization. The speech concluded with a call to formally redefine the

education ecosystem to include modern players such as content creators and delivery

platforms.

The Academia-Industry Disconnect

The breakdown of collaboration between academia and industry is a central challenge:

Post-2000 Breakdown: Previous strong ties have weakened, limiting workforce readiness.

NEP 2020 Underutilization: Corporations have not aligned their strategic needs with NEP directives, resulting

in misaligned skill supply.

Opposing Systems: Education and industry are often “moving in different directions,” creating a systemic

disconnect.

Superficial Internships: Current internship models prioritize numbers over practical experience, leaving

students ill-prepared for real-world roles.

Redefining the Education Ecosystem

Aggarwal argued for a modernization of the traditional education model:

Traditional Model Limitations: The ecosystem, dominated by “parents, school, teacher,” resists new

methods and players.

Academia’s Possessiveness: Institutions struggle to maintain relevance and resist integrating external

stakeholders.

Inclusion of Modern Players: Content creators, delivery platforms, and transformative entities must be

formally incorporated.

Policy Recommendation: Ministry intervention is needed to officially redefine the ecosystem for the AI era.

Leveraging AI for Personalized Learning

AI is positioned as a transformative tool for education:

Shift from Teaching to Learning: Education must focus on student comprehension rather than uniform

instruction.

Personalized Assignments: AI tools, such as those developed by the Balwani Foundation, enable teachers to

tailor homework to student learning levels, improving outcomes.

AI as a Strategic Enabler: Aggarwal emphasized: “AI is the ask”—a critical lever for disrupting traditional

pedagogical methods.


AI, Skills, and the Future of Work

The address highlighted practical AI-driven opportunities:

Prompt Engineering: Recognized as the highest-paid global job, it emphasizes clear thinking and the ability to

ask the right questions.

Generative AI Adoption: Encourages open and transparent use of AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance

productivity and creativity.

Debunking Job Loss Fears: Historical precedents, such as banking automation in the 1980s, demonstrate

that technological disruption generates broader opportunities rather than eliminating them.

Managing Continuous Learning in the AI Era

To navigate rapid change, Aggarwal proposed a structured approach:

Shrinking Reskilling Cycles: Learning and adaptation must occur monthly or quarterly, not every few years.

The 70-20-10 Framework: Prioritizes learning based on relevance:

Category

70%

20%

10%

Target Audience & Description

Emerging topics of minimal personal/

professional relevance

Topics with moderate relevance requiring

foundational understanding

Core areas requiring mastery and complete

control

Key Features

Avoid over-investing in

these areas

Maintain awareness and

basic competency

Focus intensive learning here

This framework reduces anxiety and ensures individuals concentrate on the skills most critical to their roles while

remaining adaptable to evolving priorities.

Conclusion

Aggarwal concluded with a vision for a future-ready talent ecosystem:

Strengthening academia-industry collaboration.

Embedding AI into personalized learning.

Focusing on practical, applied skills while embracing new technology.

Adopting continuous learning frameworks to manage rapid change.

His key message: “Every technological disruption creates wider opportunity.” By redefining education, leveraging

AI, and embracing continuous learning, India can rebuild a talent ecosystem aligned with industry needs,

preparing the workforce for the AI-driven future.


Mohini Palchowdhury

Global Head-People and Culture

Quantiphi

Topic: The Human–AI Partnership:

Redefining Skills, Work, and Education

At EduSkills Connect ’25, Mohini Palchowdhury delivered a powerful address on the urgent

need to realign education and workforce strategies in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). She

argued that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but an operational mandate that is fundamentally

reshaping industry structures, talent requirements, and career pathways.

Drawing a vivid parallel between the replacement of horse-drawn carriages with automobiles,

she noted that humans today stand in the same position—either adapting to drive the “AI car” or

becoming obsolete. The central message: AI is not replacing humans; rather, humans who fail

to adapt to AI will be replaced by those who do.

AI Integration: From Buzzword to Business Imperative

AI adoption has rapidly moved from experimentation to full-scale enterprise deployment. Major organizations like

Accenture have onboarded over 40,000 AI “agents,” while Quantiphi operates its own agent group integrated into

daily workflows.

Palchowdhury likened this transition to the industrial revolution in pace and scope—within a few years, AI will

dominate the operational landscape just as automobiles replaced horses.

The Growing Skills Gap

There is a widening disconnect between what academia teaches and what the AI-driven industry demands.

Obsolete Skills: Syntax learning, memorization, data entry, and repetitive processes.

In-Demand Skills: Critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving.

As AI automates foundational tasks, employers no longer seek entry-level graduates for repetitive work. Instead,

they look for “ready, calm, smart resources” capable of managing and guiding AI systems—an expectation that

current curricula rarely fulfill.

The New AI Workforce Model: From Queries to “Agentic Mesh”

AI tools have evolved across three distinct phases:

Agentic Response (2022): Basic information retrieval, exemplified by ChatGPT.

Agentic Workflows (2023): Automation of processes and coding through tools like Quantiphi’s Codera.

Agentic Mesh (2025): Fully integrated AI agents functioning as personal digital executives—handling

communication, prioritization, and execution tasks autonomously.

With 82% of companies expected to adopt such systems, AI will become an inseparable part of professional life.

Redefining Human Roles

As AI assumes analytical and repetitive functions, the human advantage now lies in higher-order abilities:

Problem Finding: Identifying meaningful challenges to solve.

Ethical Oversight: Managing fairness, bias, and accountability in AI.

Agent Design: Building intelligent, responsible AI systems.

Critical Evaluation: Assessing AI outputs for accuracy, originality, and relevance.


She illustrated this shift through a simple anecdote—many parents used the same AI-generated poem for a school

competition, but one child stood out because she thought, evaluated, and then prompted—a metaphor for the

human edge in an AI world.

Disruption of the Traditional Career Pyramid

The career model has inverted. In the past, fresh graduates joined at the base and learned through delegated

tasks. Now, those entry-level functions are automated. Leaders use AI “agent meshes” to execute these tasks

directly, eliminating the old learning ladder.

Consequently, companies are unwilling to invest in grooming juniors and instead demand pre-trained, mid-level

talent. The new emerging role is the Soft Skill Engineer—a professional who blends technical awareness with

critical thinking and effective communication to direct AI systems.

A Call to Action for Academia

To remain relevant, educational institutions must urgently reform:

Mandate Early Internships: Begin sustained industry engagement from the second year.

Adopt Industry-Integrated Curricula: Align learning outcomes with practical applications.

Enable Real-World Exposure: Support flexible, long-term internship models, even unpaid, to build

experience.

Reposition Career Cells: Treat placement offices as strategic enablers, not administrative units.

Prioritize Soft Skills and AI Literacy: Equip students with the ability to prompt, collaborate with, and

supervise AI systems effectively.

The Quantiphi Analytics model demonstrates this alignment—students join in their second year, train within live

projects, and graduate as employable professionals rather than interns.

Conclusion: Adaptation Is the New Differentiator

The defining competition of the AI era is not humans versus AI, but humans versus humans—those who

adapt and those who don’t.

Quoting an example from Johns Hopkins University, Palchowdhury highlighted how one surgeon’s willingness to

perform remote surgery using AI elevated him into leadership, while another’s refusal left him behind.

Her closing remark captured the essence of the message:

“It’s not AI versus humans—it’s humans versus humans. The one who learns to drive the AI car will lead.”


Veera Reddy

Chief People Officer

Accion Labs

Topic: AI with a Human Touch:

Shaping Academia and Industry

Veera Reddy’s address at the EduSkills HR Summit ’25 offered a candid examination of how

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world of work—particularly in India’s IT sector. His

central argument distinguishes the AI revolution from earlier waves of technology: while the

software boom of the 1990s and 2000s created jobs for India, the AI era may threaten them.

Reddy urged the audience to view AI not as a disruptor to be feared, but as a co-pilot—a tool to

augment human intelligence and productivity. He emphasized that AI will automate routine

roles, yet simultaneously unlock vast new opportunities for those who adapt. The survival

strategy for professionals and organizations lies in combining AI literacy with uniquely human

capabilities such as empathy, communication, and creative problem-solving. He concluded by

calling for ethical governance and the creation of a “Job Description for AI” to guide its

responsible use in workplaces and society.

The Changing Landscape of India’s IT Workforce

Reddy contextualized the current AI transformation by drawing parallels with the software revolution that once

powered India’s economic rise.

The Era of Being “Bangalored”: In the 1990s–2000s, IT outsourcing sent jobs from the West to India. This

global phenomenon—where Western jobs were transferred overseas—gave rise to the term “Bangalored.”

The AI Reversal: Today, AI threatens to reverse this trend. Instead of creating jobs for Indian professionals, it

now competes directly with them. “AI,” Reddy warned, “is going to compete with the same software

professionals who built the Indian economy.”

The implication is stark: roles that were once offshored to India can now be automated, either eliminating the

need for human intervention or returning to developed economies through AI-driven systems.

Displacement and Opportunity: The Dual Impact of AI

Reddy adopted a balanced perspective—acknowledging both risks and opportunities.

Job Loss is Inevitable: Some roles will disappear as automation advances.

New Roles Will Emerge: However, AI will create new opportunities for those who learn to collaborate with it.

The Imperative to Upskill: “The only way to remain relevant,” he asserted, “is to upskill yourself and

understand AI.”

This duality represents not a technological crisis but a call for transformation—where reskilling, adaptability, and a

growth mindset determine career longevity.

Case Example: AI in Recruitment and HR

Reddy illustrated AI’s practical impact through a comparison of traditional and AI-powered recruitment.

Process Step

Resume Screening

Candidate Matching

Fairness

Recruiter Role

Human Recruiter

Reviews ~20 of 1,000 resumes

manually

Subjective filtering, limited reach

Many qualified candidates are

missed

Loses relevance if limited to

screening

AI-Powered System

Scans and evaluates all 1,000

instantly

Objective and comprehensive

matching

Every candidate gets a fair chance

Shifts focus to strategy and

engagement


The conclusion is clear: AI doesn’t replace the recruiter—it redefines the recruiter’s role. By offloading routine

screening, AI allows HR professionals to focus on human-centric tasks like engagement and culture building.

AI as a Co-Pilot, Not a Competitor

Reddy’s metaphor of “AI as a co-pilot” captures his philosophy of human–machine collaboration.

Co-Creation, Not Competition: “AI is your teammate,” he said, emphasizing integration rather than

opposition.

Practical Illustration: Within Accion Labs, AI tools assist technical interviewers by suggesting domain-specific

questions and guiding follow-ups based on candidates’ answers.

This approach enhances decision quality and efficiency, showing how AI can amplify rather than replace

human judgment.

Reclaiming the Human Advantage: Soft Skills and Empathy

Reddy underscored that the defining skills of the future are deeply human—qualities AI cannot replicate.

Core Soft Skills: Communication, negotiation, persuasion, and leadership remain indispensable.

Innate Human Traits: Empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence provide enduring competitive

advantage.

The AI Limitation: “AI can write a speech and tell you how to deliver it,” he noted, “but it cannot deliver it for

you.”

This reaffirms that while AI can generate content, the power to connect and inspire remains uniquely human.

Toward Ethical and Responsible AI Governance

To ensure AI serves humanity responsibly, Reddy proposed structured oversight mechanisms.

Policy Guardrails: Governments and organizations must establish frameworks defining how AI is used.

A “Job Description for AI”: Each AI system, like a human employee, should have a clear scope of tasks,

defined boundaries, and explicit restrictions.

Shared Responsibility: Policymakers, technologists, and HR leaders must collaborate to create a “structured

and meaningful” AI governance ecosystem.

Concluding Insights: Embrace, Evolve, and Learn

Reddy concluded with an optimistic call to action:

“Don’t fear AI. Embrace it.”

“Live with AI rather than compete with it.”

“Your future is about learning with AI.”

His vision reframes AI not as a technological threat but as a catalyst for a smarter, more human-centered

workforce—one where adaptability, empathy, and lifelong learning define success in the age of intelligent

machines.


Shyamkanta Mishra

Global Head Talent Acquisition

Amdocs

Topic: AI and the Future of Work

In his thought-provoking address, Shyamkant Mishra emphasized that while Artificial

Intelligence (AI) evokes both curiosity and concern, its transformative potential far

outweighs the fear it inspires. The future of work, he argued, is not about AI replacing

humans, but about humans learning to work with AI as a collaborator — a "team member"

rather than a tool.

AI will create an estimated 170 million new jobs by 2035, even as it renders 40% of current

skills obsolete, according to the World Economic Forum. The challenge for both industry

and academia is to pivot rapidly toward a skills-first workforce model, where demonstrable

competencies and continuous learning replace the traditional degree-centric hiring

paradigm.

Mishra’s central message was clear: AI will reshape the world, but education will reshape

the workforce. This calls for deep, sustained collaboration between academia and industry

to prepare talent for a technology-augmented future.

The Inevitability of Change and the Promise of Opportunity

Mishra opened with a historical lens, comparing today’s apprehensions around AI with the anxieties that

accompanied past revolutions — from the printing press to industrial automation. Each era, he noted, replaced

fear with opportunity.

“We’ve only experienced 5% of what AI can do — this is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

He illustrated how technology has already redefined life — from eliminating physical bank visits to revolutionizing

communication — arguing that AI represents the next leap in human evolution. Quoting MC Hammer, he reminded

the audience: “Technology is important because it creates the future — and we can be part of creating the next

one.”

The Data-Driven Future of Jobs

Referencing global research, Mishra highlighted a dual reality: AI will generate massive employment

opportunities, but only for those equipped with new-age skills.

Metric

Projection

Source

New Jobs Created

Obsolete Skills

AI in Hiring

170 million by 2030–2035

40% of today’s skills

~90% of recruitment decisions

influenced by AI

World Economic Forum

World Economic Forum

Speaker’s Projection

AI-driven hiring, he said, will make recruitment fairer by minimizing human bias and democratizing access to talent

— identifying skilled candidates from across India, regardless of their institution’s brand or location.

Paradigm Shift 1 – The Skills-First Mindset

The traditional degree-to-job pipeline is being replaced by a skills-first model.

Degree’s Evolving Role: Still essential for foundational learning, but no longer a sole qualifier for employment.

Validation through Practice: Real-world project experience now validates skill authenticity.


AI in Evaluation: Recruiters increasingly use AI tools to assess portfolios, detect copied work, and measure

genuine capability.

“A skill is only real when proven through a live project,” Mishra emphasized.

Paradigm Shift 2 – The Changing Workforce Model

Organizations are redesigning how work is structured, moving from static, local teams to global, AI-integrated, and

continuously learning environments.

Traditional Model

Evolving Model

Degree-based hiring

Fixed job roles

Human-only teams

Local workforce

Skill-based hiring with EduSkills-like platforms

Dynamic, multi-skill profiles (e.g., Agile Coach, Scrum Master)

Human + AI collaboration

Global, hybrid, borderless workforce

This dynamic structure not only enhances productivity but also boosts retention by offering employees growth,

purpose, and continual upskilling.

Human–AI Collaboration: The Three Vectors of Transition

Mishra defined the evolution of workplace AI integration through three distinct stages:

AI-Assisted: AI supports human decision-making.

AI-Augmented: Shared responsibilities between humans and AI.

AI-Powered: AI drives workflows, while humans oversee strategy and performance.

He stressed that while AI can automate logic, human creativity, empathy, and ethics remain irreplaceable —

keeping the human brain as the "supreme leader in the value chain."

A Call to Action for Academia

Mishra underscored that education will be the decisive factor in determining how effectively humanity adapts to

AI. His three-point call to academia:

Integrate AI into Learning: Transition toward AI-enabled classrooms and curricula.

Foster Critical Thinking: Equip students with reasoning and problem-solving skills that machines cannot

replicate.

Build Learning Hubs: Expand institutions’ roles to serve not just students but also alumni and local

communities, creating lifelong learning ecosystems.

Conclusion – AI as a Team Member

Closing with a personal story of an employee who used AI to animate his static presentation, Mishra noted that AI’s

role is no longer peripheral — it’s participatory.

“AI is not just a tool; it’s a team member.”

This encapsulated his core belief: the future belongs to human-AI collaboration, powered by education,

empathy, and adaptability. The session concluded with a powerful message — that India’s skilling revolution

must align with this vision to prepare a workforce ready to thrive, not just survive, in the age of AI.



Head of People & Culture APAC

Zywave

Topic: The Role of CHROs in

Driving Digital Transformation

Ancy Nimsha Sreenivasan delivered a compelling address emphasizing the central role of Chief

Human Resources Officers (CHROs) in steering organizations through digital transformation.

While AI and digital tools are often seen as technological imperatives, Sreenivasan reframes the

challenge as a human-centric one: talent, culture, and strategic leadership are the true drivers

of change.

The address highlighted a symbiotic relationship between academia and industry, urging

educators to prepare students for AI-driven workplaces through interview training, business

acumen development, and adaptability. Sreenivasan underscored continuous learning, agility,

and speed as essential to success, while emphasizing that the "human touch" remains

indispensable in leveraging technology effectively.

The CHRO as a Strategic Driver of Digital Transformation

Sreenivasan positioned the CHRO not as a support function but as a strategic enabler of AI and digital initiatives.

Key insights include:

HR-Led AI Strategy: At Zywave, corporate AI strategy is directly influenced by HR, reflecting the importance of

human capital in technological adoption.

Navigating Change: Leading during rapid digital transformation is akin to “running a car while changing its

wheels,” emphasizing the need for real-time adaptability.

Beyond Job Descriptions: CEOs provide general roles, but organizations require nuanced talent that

traditional recruitment often struggles to identify.

The Human Element: Despite AI acceleration, personalized approaches remain critical; transformation

strategies must recognize that “for different folks, it’s always different strokes.”

Bridging the Academia-Industry Divide

The address highlighted the essential partnership between education and industry, framing academia as the

source of the “talent fuel” necessary for innovation.

Rocket Launch Analogy: Companies are “rockets” dependent on the “right fuel” — skilled, industry-ready

graduates.

Industry-Infused Curriculum: Academic programs are increasingly involving business leaders to align

curriculum with real-world needs, enhancing employability.

Key Recommendations for Educators:

Recommendation

AI Interview

Preparedness

Business Acumen

Adaptability

Continuous Learning

Action

Train students for AI-based

recruitment platforms.

Develop deep, industry-specific

knowledge early.

Foster a mindset that embraces

change as constant.

Encourage lifelong learning, from

foundational knowledge to

advanced competencies.

Rationale

AI could handle up to 90% of hiring

decisions; preparedness is critical.

Ensures graduates can add

immediate value.

Rapid technology and business

evolution demands flexibility.

Builds sustainable career growth.


Continuous Learning and Adaptability

Drawing from her 20-year career, including a decade at IBM, Sreenivasan illustrated how rotational roles across

HR functions — talent acquisition, business partnering, compliance, and L&D — cultivated adaptability.

Millennial Advantage: Millennials’ dual experience with legacy and modern technologies fosters resilience

and openness to learning.

Guiding Philosophy: Seize opportunities proactively: “Whenever an opportunity comes and knocks… always

say yes. The rest you will figure out.”

Evolving Trends in AI and Talent Acquisition

Widespread AI Integration: ~70% of surveyed companies actively use AI in operations.

Agentic AI: Beyond generative AI, advanced AI now drives projects in real time, accelerating work cycles.

Speed as a Metric: Success is increasingly measured by velocity and turnaround, not just output quality.

Alternative Talent Models: Companies like Zoho identify promising talent in smaller towns, training them

through dedicated programs like the “Zoho School,” demonstrating scalable alternatives to traditional hiring.

India’s Global Talent Ascendance

Sreenivasan highlighted India’s evolution from a cost center to a global talent hub:

From Cost to Excellence: Organizations now value India for quality and capability, not just affordability.

Case Study – Zywave India: The company is establishing a Center of Excellence and R&D hub in Pune, with

an initial hiring plan of 500 employees, signaling confidence in India’s workforce.

Conclusion

Sreenivasan’s address underscored that CHROs are central to digital transformation, with success hinging on

the integration of AI and human-centric leadership. By bridging academia and industry, fostering adaptability, and

prioritizing continuous learning, organizations can harness technology effectively while retaining the

indispensable human touch. India’s workforce, she concluded, is poised to lead this evolution, driving global

innovation and competitiveness.


Ashwin Upadhyay

AVP - Operations (Talent Acquisition &

Work Force Management), KPIT

Topic: AI-Powered Operations:

Transforming Workforce Management

for Resilience, Agility, and Scale

Ashwin Upadhyay’s address at the EduSkills HR Summit ’25 explored the evolving relationship

between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human expertise, encapsulated in the compelling

metaphor of “Copilot vs. Autopilot.” His central argument reframes AI not as a replacement for

humans, but as an augmentation tool that amplifies human intelligence, efficiency, and impact.

Drawing on KPIT’s work at the intersection of automotive engineering and advanced software,

Upadhyay highlighted the unprecedented technological complexity of modern vehicles—each

now containing up to 150 million lines of code and generating 25 GB of data every hour. This

scale of complexity underscores the growing demand for high-caliber engineering talent and

the parallel need for AI tools to support human productivity.

The address also detailed how AI is transforming HR processes—particularly in recruitment—by

automating early-stage candidate engagement and data collection. Yet, despite such

advancements, Upadhyay reinforced a clear principle: the human pilot remains indispensable.

AI can assist, accelerate, and optimize—but the final judgment, creativity, and ethical direction

must always rest with people.

The “Copilot” Paradigm: Augmenting, Not Replacing Humans

At the heart of Upadhyay’s talk is a reframing of AI’s role in the workplace.

Core Analogy: The speaker emphasized the deliberate use of the term “Copilot” by Microsoft in its AI suite—a

conscious recognition that AI is designed to assist, not replace.

- “Why did Microsoft call it Copilot? Because there is a pilot who runs it—it is not Autopilot.”

Human in Command: While AI systems can perform specific functions autonomously, human oversight

remains essential. The model of the future, he noted, is not “AI instead of humans” but “AI alongside humans.”

- “There will be a Copilot—but a human will have to be the pilot, not be replaced.”

This partnership approach emphasizes adaptability: as AI takes over repetitive or data-heavy tasks, professionals

must evolve into roles requiring judgment, empathy, and innovation.

The Automotive Industry: A Case Study in AI-Driven Complexity

Upadhyay used the automotive domain—KPIT’s core focus—as a vivid example of how technology, data, and

human expertise converge.

Software as the New Engine: Today’s vehicles are no longer purely mechanical products; they are softwaredefined

machines.

Metric

Lines of Code (in a single car)

Data Generated (per car, per hour)

Value

~150 million

~25 GB

High-Stakes Engineering: The automotive industry is the second most safety-critical sector globally, making

software quality and reliability a matter of life and death.

Sustainability Impact: Improvements in code efficiency and system design can enhance sustainability by up

to 14%, directly reducing environmental impact through better energy management.


This example underscores that while AI can analyze, predict, and optimize, it is the skilled human engineer who

ensures safe, ethical, and sustainable innovation.

AI in Human Resources: From Manual to Intelligent Hiring

Upadhyay illustrated AI’s tangible benefits within HR operations—especially in addressing large-scale hiring

needs at KPIT.

The Challenge:

- KPIT hires around 1,500 engineers annually.

- Traditionally, 70 recruiters had to make 600–900 calls to secure roughly 450 candidates for

interviews—a process both labor-intensive and time-consuming.

The AI Solution:

- KPIT deployed an AI-based voice automation system that interacts with candidates directly.

- The AI can hold basic conversations, record responses, and extract key data such as skill sets, interest

levels, and preferred locations.

- This automation now allows the same work to be completed by a 20-member team, representing a

threefold gain in efficiency.

Human Evaluation Remains Non-Negotiable:

Despite AI’s growing role, Upadhyay firmly rejected the idea of candidates using AI to answer interview questions.

He insisted that human capability—critical thinking, logic, and subject mastery—must remain the focus of

assessment.

The Indispensable Human: The Pilot at the Controls

Upadhyay closed his address by reaffirming a core belief: AI is a force multiplier, not a replacement for human

intellect.

AI as a Support System: Its true power lies in handling data-intensive, repetitive, or analytical tasks, freeing

humans to focus on higher-order functions such as creativity and strategy.

Human Expertise as the Constant: The “pilot”—the human being—must always steer the process, interpret

insights, and make final decisions.

Future Outlook: While acknowledging AI’s rapid progress, Upadhyay maintained that “there is still a way to

go,” reinforcing the need for ongoing human oversight and ethical direction.

Conclusion

Ashwin Upadhyay’s insights offer a grounded vision of the AI–human relationship—one built on collaboration,

not competition. The “Copilot” metaphor perfectly captures this ethos: AI enhances human capacity, accelerates

workflows, and expands creative potential, but the human pilot must always chart the course.

In a world increasingly driven by data and algorithms, Upadhyay’s message stands out as both pragmatic and

optimistic: the future of work belongs not to machines alone, but to humans who learn to fly with them.


Akram Pasha

Associate Director

Microchip

Topic: ArtificiaI Intelligence: Bridging

Innovation and Application in Academia

and Industry

Akram Pasha, Associate Director at Microchip, delivered a forward-looking address on the

transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academia and industry. He positioned AI as a

foundational technology—with an impact comparable to the smartphone—that is rapidly

evolving and reshaping how we live, learn, and work. His central call to action was a shift in

mindset: from asking “what can AI do?” to “with AI, what can we do?”.

Pasha argued that survival in the AI era depends not on strength or resources, but on

adaptability. For academia, AI represents a “game changer” for personalized learning,

experiential models, and research innovation. For industry, AI is a driver of augmentation rather

than replacement—automating repetitive tasks while creating new roles. Microchip is actively

enabling this transition through internal adoption and by equipping educators and students with

cutting-edge tools, hardware, and training.

The Evolving AI Landscape

Continuously Evolving: AI is advancing at a pace where yesterday’s impossibilities become today’s realities.

Transformative Impact: Like smartphones, AI will become indispensable within a decade.

Economic Potential: Projected to contribute $50 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

Adoption as Survival

Mindset Shift: The right question is not what AI can do, but what we can achieve with AI.

Survival of the Fittest: Adaptability, not existing strength, will determine success.

Education as Driver: Institutions must embrace AI to prepare students for an AI-powered future.

AI in Academia and Research

Empowering Educators: Teachers are the creators of engineers; their role in shaping innovators is pivotal.

Learning Models: AI enables outcome-based, experiential, and exploratory learning.

Research Revolution:

- Knowledge Tokenization: Turning entire textbooks into searchable data within minutes.

- Discovery: Mining India’s traditional knowledge repositories for lost insights.

New Skills for Students:

- Prompt Engineering: Asking the right questions, likened to Aladdin’s genie analogy.

- From Problem-Solving to Innovation: AI enables students to take concepts to full implementation.

Industry Transformation and the Future of Work

Augmentation, Not Replacement: AI enhances human productivity by handling repetitive tasks.

Productivity Expectations: Engineers will be expected to deliver 20% higher efficiency with AI tools.

Job Evolution: AI will replace old roles but create entirely new ones (e.g., autonomous “robo taxis”).

Personalization and Collaboration: AI powers hyper-personalized solutions, from healthcare to language

tools, driving the next wave of innovation.


Microchip’s AI-Driven Initiatives

Initiative Area

Internal Strategy

AI Coding Assistant

Industry Partnerships

Academic Programs & Hardware

Faculty Training

Centers of Excellence

Conclusion

Key Highlights

AI-first approach to free resources and boost efficiency.

Embedded code generation tool, cutting months of work to

weeks; next-gen “agents” version launching soon.

Collaboration with Siemens automated ~40% of design

tasks.

New curriculum book, Curiosity Nano board ($100 academic

edition), upcoming digital logic & FPGA boards.

Dedicated sessions to help educators adopt AI tools.

Relaunching to strengthen academia-industry collaboration.

Akram Pasha’s address was both a warning and a roadmap: survival in the AI era hinges on proactive adoption,

adaptability, and innovation. For academia, this means embedding AI into pedagogy and research. For industry, it

means harnessing AI for augmentation and productivity gains. Through initiatives like AI Coding Assistants,

hardware platforms, and renewed Centers of Excellence, Microchip is positioning itself as a partner in shaping an

AI-ready workforce and accelerating India’s transition into the AI-driven global economy.


Anuj Bhatnagar

Director - India Services

Celonis

Topic: When Processes Work,

AI Works: Strategy and Talent for

an AI-Ready Organisation

Anuj Bhatnagar highlighted the critical role of process intelligence in enabling effective AI

adoption within enterprises. He argued that AI’s success in business is constrained by the lack

of contextual process and operational data. While AI excels in personal applications, enterprise

AI often fails due to missing business context. Process intelligence provides this context,

integrating raw data with KPIs and SOPs to create a comprehensive view of operations.

Bhatnagar emphasized that AI is reshaping the workforce, affecting not only repetitive tasks but

also high-end creative roles. Future talent must operate at the intersection of business and

technology, making continuous upskilling and reskilling essential. Celonis, originating from an

academic project, actively fosters this future talent through global and Indian academic

collaborations.

The Enterprise AI Implementation Gap

A key challenge is the contrast between AI’s success in personal versus enterprise contexts:

Personal AI: Tools like ChatGPT and Gemini perform effectively using vast public data (e.g., generating a

personalized poem).

Enterprise AI: Complex business challenges—like working capital optimization—cannot be solved by generic

AI due to missing context.

Consequences of the Context Deficit:

Accuracy, trust, and adoption issues hinder AI integration.

AI investments often produce limited ROI, with true enterprise-scale benefits largely unrealized.

Process Intelligence: The Connective Layer

Process intelligence is critical for scalable enterprise AI:

Definition: Acts as “connective tissue” by combining process data and business context to answer the who,

what, when, where, and why of operations.

Analogy: Similar to how GPS adds coordinates to address directories, process intelligence maps raw data to

actionable enterprise insights.

Result: Enables end-to-end visibility from order to delivery, forming the prerequisite for reliable AI deployment.

Three Waves of Enterprise AI Adoption:

Simple Chatbots: Basic Q&A bots.

Custom Assistants: End-to-end support for specific business activities.

Autonomous Enterprise: Digital and human workforces collaborate, with digital agents executing full

transactions.

Evolving Talent Landscape

AI is rapidly reshaping job roles and skill requirements:

Pace of Change: Transformations occur every six months, unlike previous shifts over decades.

High-End Skills Impact: AI now encroaches on creative and analytical tasks; coding and other traditional skills

may become insufficient.


Celonis: Academic Collaboration and Workforce Enablement

Celonis exemplifies the integration of process intelligence and talent development:

Company Overview: Founded at Technical University of Munich in 2011, now valued at $13B, serving 1,300+

customers globally.

Academic Programs:

Free technology access for universities.

Online learning, certifications, and classroom materials.

Research support and career portals (e.g., processminingjobs.com).

Global Reach:

Future Talent Intersection: Engineers must understand business; business professionals must understand

technology.

Non-Negotiable Mandate: Continuous upskilling and reskilling are essential for survival in the AI era.

500,000+ students trained.

800+ university partners.

4,000+ courses supported.

Indian Footprint:

100,000+ students registered.

150,000+ certificates issued.

Research collaborations with IIIT and other institutions.

Conclusion

Bhatnagar concluded that effective enterprise AI requires a foundation of process intelligence to

provide context, enabling reliable and scalable adoption. AI is transforming both mundane and creative work,

demanding continuous upskilling. The most valuable talent will operate at the intersection of business and

technology, equipped to leverage AI and process intelligence to drive enterprise performance. Celonis’

academic initiatives exemplify how industry and education can collaboratively prepare the next-generation

workforce for this AI-driven future.


Prathyusha Puppala

JAPAC Adoption Lead

Google Cloud

Topic: Career Launchpad:

Building the AI-Ready Workforce

for Tomorrow

At EduSkills Connect’25, Prathyusha Puppala, JAPAC Adoption Lead, Google Cloud, outlined

Google Cloud’s vision to close the widening AI and cloud skills gap in India. With AI evolving from

a niche technology into a “collaborative partner,” both academia and industry face mounting

pressure to reskill rapidly.

In partnership with EduSkills and AICTE, Google Cloud launched the Career Launchpad

Program, a no-cost skilling initiative focused on hands-on, credit-eligible learning paths. This

program aims to:

Support academia in modernizing curriculum.

Create an industry-ready talent pipeline.

Give students a competitive edge through certifications and applied skills.

The AI & Cloud Imperative

Past–Present–Future of AI: From niche (past) utility embedded in daily life (present) collaborative partner

(future).

Urgency: Like the “woodpecker story,” those who fail to reskill risk irrelevance.

Continuous Learning: Skilling must evolve from a one-time effort into an ongoing journey.

The Skills Gap Challenge

India faces a sharp mismatch between demand and supply of cloud/AI skills.

50%+ enterprises are moving workloads to cloud.

95% of IT leaders struggle to hire skilled talent.

Preference is growing for Google Cloud certified professionals.

For academia, the key hurdles include:

Keeping curricula current with fast-changing tech.

Delivering adequate hands-on labs amid rising enrollments.

Balancing resource and infrastructure pressures.

Career Launchpad: Google Cloud’s Flagship Program

Mission: Democratize AI and cloud skills; prepare a future-ready workforce.

Key Features:

Free access to any institute in India.

Practical focus via labs, projects, and interactive modules.

Academic credits aligned with NSQF.

Partnership delivery with EduSkills & AICTE.

Course Portfolio:

Technical: Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Cloud Computation, Cloud Engineering.

Business/Leadership: Gen AI Leader, Google Cloud Digital Leader.

Certification: Students can earn Google Cloud credentials, enhancing employability.


Integration Framework for Institutions

Google Cloud provides a structured roadmap:

Faculty onboarding & training: mentors for student cohorts.

Curriculum integration: embedded for credits or extracurricular.

Student engagement: competitions, projects, hands-on practice.

Certification & showcase: credentials on resumes and hiring platforms.

Strategic Pillars

Shared Vision: Stronger collaboration between industry, academia, and government.

Practical Learning: Shift from theory project-based, applied experience.

Culture of Reskilling: Embed lifelong learning as a professional norm.

Scaling Partnerships: Expand programs nationally to strengthen the talent pipeline.

Challenge and Opportunity

India’s greatest challenge—upskilling millions in fast-evolving tech—is also its greatest opportunity. By bridging

the AI and cloud skills gap, India can create the foundational workforce for its next growth wave.

Value Proposition:

Academia: Ready-made curriculum, credits, labs at no cost.

Industry: A verifiable pipeline of cloud- and AI-ready talent.

Students: Certifications and job-ready skills that provide a clear competitive edge.


Abhir Naik

Global Head, Academic Alliances

Zscaler

Topic: Zero Trust + AI Security

This briefing captures the strategic address by Abhir Naik, Global Head of Academic Alliance at

Zscaler, a NASDAQ-100 cybersecurity leader with an annual recurring revenue of $2.9 billion.

Zscaler’s mission is to secure, simplify, and transform businesses through its Zero Trust Security

Platform — a next-generation model built on the principle of “zero implicit trust and minimum

explicit trust.”

India plays a pivotal role in Zscaler’s global growth and innovation strategy, reflected in its

3,200+ employees, seven data centers, and 400+ enterprise customers, securing over 5 million

users nationwide. Complementing its commercial success, Zscaler has also launched a not-forprofit

skilling initiative to prepare India’s future cybersecurity workforce through free academic

programs and globally recognized certifications.

Zscaler: Global and Indian Footprint

ARR: $2.9B Global Workforce: 8,000 Data Centers: 150+ worldwide

Daily Operations: 500B transactions processed; 220M threats blocked

Customer Impact: 50% reduction in security incidents

India-Specific Highlights

3,200 employees and 400+ institutional customers

Seven data centers (second largest footprint after the U.S.)

15% of global traffic processed in India (≈60B daily transactions)

Clients include all top four GSIs, leading banks, and major public-sector entities

Zscaler’s CEO, Jay Chaudhry, has engaged directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advance a national

cybersecurity skilling mission — a philanthropic initiative aiming to make the future workforce “ready on Zscaler

technology.”

The Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape

The address emphasized that cyber and AI warfare are the two major conflict forms of the modern era.

India experienced over 100 million cyber attacks after the Belg terror incident.

Government websites saw a 138% rise in targeted attacks.

Breaches at major telecom providers underscore the need for Zero Trust adoption.

A typical breach progresses through five stages — reconnaissance, ingress via public IPs, compromise of

credentials, lateral movement, and final data exfiltration to the dark web.

Zero Trust: Zscaler’s Core Security Paradigm

Zscaler’s Zero Trust model replaces outdated firewall- and VPN-based security with identity- and policy-based

architecture that isolates apps from public exposure.

Core Principles

Never Trust, Always Verify — every user and device is re-authenticated continuously.

Application Isolation — internal systems remain invisible to attackers.


Policy-Based Access — users connect directly to authorized apps, not networks.

Device Posture Check — endpoints are assessed for compliance; non-compliant users receive limited access

only after multi-factor verification.

This framework eliminates the attack surface created by exposed public IPs and supports India’s agenda for

digital sovereignty and resilience.

Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Defense

Zscaler integrates AI and ML across its platform to counter modern, AI-driven attacks.

Capability Area

Cyber Protection

Risk Modeling

Data Protection

AI-Driven Function

Zero-day, phishing, and C2 detection

with sandboxing

Predictive analytics and contextual

risk scoring

Policy-based isolation of sensitive PII

Digital Experience

Co-Pilots

AI-driven performance diagnostics

Automated AI assistants for detection

and response

Innovation Highlight: Zero Trust SIM for IoT Security — routes all IoT device data through Zscaler’s cloud,

blocking malware ingress and preventing data exfiltration. Applicable to EV chargers, vending machines, and

industrial automation systems.

Academic Alliance: Building India’s Cybersecurity Workforce

Zscaler’s Academic Alliance Program is a not-for-profit skilling initiative offering free access to training and

certification for Indian institutions.

Program Structure

Free Model: Unlike global “for-fee” models, it is cost-free in India.

Train-the-Trainer Delivery: Faculty are trained first to scale student impact.

Standardized Curriculum: Identical content for partners, employees, and students ensures parity in skill

validation.

Future Roadmap:

Upcoming certifications include ZDE (Zscaler for Users Engineer), new Data Security and Ethical Hacking

courses, and the launch of a Center of Excellence (COE) in collaboration with EduSkills in FY 2025.

Conclusion

Zscaler’s India strategy represents a convergence of technological innovation, AI-driven security, and human

capital development. The company’s investments and partnerships underscore India’s emerging role as both a

cybersecurity powerhouse and a global talent hub.

“India is not just a market for Zscaler — it is the future of global cyber defense.”


Ashish Tanwar

Head of University Hiring, (India & APJ)

Zscaler

Topic: Cultivating Talent with AI:

Redefining Education in an

AI-Enabled World

Ashish Tanwar’s address at the EduSkills HR Summit ’25 underscored the urgent need for both

academia and industry to redefine their roles in an AI-driven world. His central message—“AI will

not replace great professionals, but professionals who use AI will replace those who

don’t”—framed Artificial Intelligence not as a threat but as a force of empowerment and

augmentation.

The presentation called for a paradigm shift where educational institutions must integrate AI

literacy across all domains and industries must evolve from being passive consumers of talent

to producers of talent. Using real-world case studies, Tanwar emphasized that the failure to

adapt to technological evolution has historically led even the strongest organizations—like

Blockbuster and Blackberry—to irrelevance.

Lessons from History: Adapt or Become Obsolete

To illustrate the consequences of technological complacency, Tanwar revisited two cautionary tales:

Blockbuster vs. Netflix: Blockbuster failed to foresee the rise of digital streaming, while Netflix redefined the

entertainment landscape by anticipating user needs.

Blackberry vs. Apple: Blackberry’s narrow focus on enterprise communication blinded it to Apple’s ecosystem

vision—transforming phones into multi-functional lifestyle tools.

The message: AI represents the next great inflection point, and organizations or institutions that fail to evolve with it

risk the same fate.

The Role of Education: From Teaching to Transforming

Tanwar outlined a holistic roadmap for academia to prepare students for the AI-augmented workforce.

Strategic Focus

Universal AI Literacy

Personalized Learning

Research & Innovation

Meaningful Industry

Engagement

Responsible AI

Frameworks

Implementation Insight

AI must be taught across all disciplines—agriculture, law, and business

alike. Lawyers today, for instance, already use AI to analyze

precedents within minutes.

AI tools can help educators customize learning paths at scale, enabling

differentiated instruction impossible through traditional methods.

Universities must establish AI-focused Centers of Excellence (CoEs),

foster student-led research, and integrate AI into every innovation agenda.

Move beyond token guest lectures—embed industry experts as adjunct

faculty who deliver full courses and mentor students.

Ethics must evolve alongside innovation. Tanwar drew a powerful analogy:

“AI is like a person with a gun—you must decide if it’s a cop or a terrorist.”

The underlying call to action was clear: academia must not only teach AI but teach with AI.

The Industry Imperative: Becoming Producers of Talent

Tanwar challenged the corporate world to abandon the transactional model of merely consuming trained

graduates and instead co-create skilled professionals with academia.

Co-Creation Model: Industry should integrate deeper with universities, providing real-world problem

statements, tools, and mentorship.


The AI Evolution: From Intern to Team Member

Tanwar mapped AI’s rapid evolution through three distinct stages:

The Intern (12–18 months ago): AI was an experimental assistant, often producing amusing or imperfect

results.

The Expert (Today): AI is now capable of executing complex tasks with precision and reliability.

The Team (Next 12–18 months): AI will become an integrated collaborator, functioning as a core member of

professional teams.

He illustrated this with practical examples—using AI for event planning, content creation, and even personal

preparation for leadership presentations. These cases highlighted how AI can save hours while amplifying human

intelligence.

Mindsets for the AI Era: Steering, Not Drifting

Tanwar concluded by outlining two mindsets that define success in the AI era:

Avoid:

Virtual Internships: Scalable solutions like EduSkills’ Virtual Internship program were highlighted as powerful

models that democratize access to hands-on experience.

Skill-Centric Hiring: The emphasis must shift from degrees to demonstrable skills, supported by internal

hackathons and continuous learning initiatives.

His message reframed HR’s role—from gatekeeping to career enablement.

- Complacency, like Steve Ballmer dismissing the iPhone.

- Blind optimism, assuming progress without preparation.

- Quick fixes, treating AI as a superficial solution.

Embrace:

- The Driver’s Seat Mindset: Stay in control—AI should accelerate your journey, not dictate it.

- Continuous Learning: Re-skill, experiment, and adapt relentlessly.

Final Thesis: Augmentation, Not Replacement

Tanwar’s closing statement encapsulated his thesis with clarity and universality:

“AI will not replace great teachers, but teachers who use AI will replace those who don’t.

Likewise, AI will not replace great employees, but great employees who use AI will replace those who won’t.”

In essence, he portrayed AI as a transformative force—one that democratizes intelligence, accelerates

innovation, and redefines excellence. The choice before both educators and employers is whether to fear this

transformation or to lead it.

Conclusion

Ashish Tanwar’s address at the EduSkills HR Summit ’25 framed the AI revolution as a leadership and learning

revolution. His call to action was not about adapting to technology alone but about evolving the human mindset—to

see AI as an enabler of excellence and a catalyst for collaboration between academia and industry.

The future, he asserted, belongs to those who learn faster than technology evolves.


Charles Godwin

HR Leader

Zoho

Topic: From Knowledge to

Innovation: AI’s Role in Shaping

Education and Enterprise

Charles Godwin delivered an insightful address advocating a shift from traditional, rote-based

education toward a skills-centric, experiential learning model. Highlighting the misalignment

between conventional academic systems and the needs of modern workplaces, Godwin

emphasized that true value lies in “doing” rather than just learning. Using Zoho’s unconventional

hiring and talent development practices as a case study, he illustrated how practical skills,

contextual learning, and real-world experience can unlock hidden potential in overlooked talent

pools. Approximately 30–40% of Zoho’s workforce now comes from non-traditional recruitment

channels, demonstrating the success of this approach.

The address serves as a compelling call to action for both educators and enterprises to rethink

pedagogy and hiring practices, fostering a workforce equipped for lifelong learning, adaptability,

and resilience.

Critique of Conventional Education and Social Norms

Godwin began with a sharp critique of the traditional education system, highlighting its overemphasis on

marks and competition:

The Tyranny of Scores: Personal anecdotes illustrated the emotional stress induced by grades. For instance,

his top-performing sister was devastated by scoring 89/100, while Godwin himself, a disengaged student, felt

indifferent.

Societal Pressure: The recurring question, “What is next?” drives unhealthy comparison, leading to stress,

broken relationships, and stifled creativity.

Disconnect from Practical Skills: Godwin highlighted the contrast between academic achievements and

real-world skills, citing examples such as parota masters or dosa makers whose specialized skills provide

financial stability and independence.

Core Message: Excellence comes from skill and creativity, not comparison: “Never compare with any human

being in life.”

A New Pedagogy: The Three Pillars of Learning

Godwin proposed a framework to bridge the gap between knowledge and employable skills, centered on:

Contextual Learning: Education should be grounded in real-world contexts, helping learners understand why

concepts matter.

Relevant Learning: Content must address practical challenges and opportunities students will encounter.

Experiential Learning: Hands-on application reinforces knowledge and builds confidence through doing.

Practical Example: Godwin undertook 38 internships during his two-year master’s program, exemplifying the

value of experiential learning in building capability and resilience.

The Zoho Model: Unconventional Talent Development

Zoho’s approach serves as a proven example of skills-first development:

Origins: Facing recruitment challenges and long onboarding times, Zoho experimented with students from

government schools in Tamil Nadu, focusing on practical, workplace-relevant training.


Curriculum Focus:

- Practical mathematics (6th–12th grade)

- Programming fundamentals ©, C++, Java)

- Database management principles

- Effective communication skills

Impact:

- 30–40% of Zoho’s 18,000-strong workforce comes from these unconventional channels.

- This talent contributes to building Zoho’s globally competitive products

Transformative Case Studies

Previous Role

Department Store

Cleaner

Security Guard

Housekeeping Staff

Background

12th-grade

dropout

9th-grade

dropout

Cleaned

restrooms

Discovery

Recognized aptitude in math

by Zoho manager

Identified coding potential

Spoke English fluently;

potential noticed

Current Role at Zoho

Senior iOS

Developer

Senior Software

Engineer

Senior Software

Engineer

Key Insight: Talent exists everywhere, but organizations must cultivate ecosystems that identify, nurture, and

provide practical opportunities.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Future of Work

Godwin reinforced that contextual, relevant, and experiential learning is the cornerstone for producing

adaptable, resilient talent. By integrating such principles into schools, colleges, and workplaces, society can

cultivate individuals who are prepared to navigate technological disruptions and unpredictable career landscapes.

Final Thought: “Expect the unexpected.” — a guiding principle for fostering a workforce equipped for lifelong

learning and real-world problem-solving.


Udhaya Shankar

Manager – Talent Acquisition

Microchip

Topic: Microchip’s Talent Acquisition

and Fresher Programs

Udhaya Shankar presented Microchip’s talent acquisition strategy with a focus on fresh

graduate recruitment (New College Graduates – NCGs) across India. The company’s approach

emphasizes a student-centric, transparent, and choice-based hiring model, allowing

candidates to select preferred job descriptions before assessments. Microchip offers two

structured internship tracks — a six-month pre-placement internship and a one-year extended

internship — serving as key pipelines for full-time roles.

New hires benefit from a comprehensive compensation and development framework that

includes stock options, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), tuition reimbursement, and a

structured one-year mentorship program. These initiatives align with the broader vision of the

Indian Semiconductor Mission, positioning Microchip as a catalyst for nurturing skilled talent in

India’s expanding electronics ecosystem.

Overview of Microchip’s Business and Hiring Focus

Microchip is positioned as a global leader in total system solutions, providing microcontrollers, analog, and

FPGA technologies to a client base exceeding 100,000 worldwide.

Key Industry Verticals:

Industrial Electronics

Aerospace and Defense

Automotive and Communications

Hiring Focus:

Microchip recruits for both hardware and software roles, with deep specialization in:

Category

Hardware

Software

Fresher Hiring Process

Core Roles & Technologies

VLSI design, verification, and audio systems

Firmware, application development, and embedded systems

Microchip’s annual NCG hiring cycle runs from August to October, emphasizing fairness, speed, and candidate

empowerment.

Key Features of the Process:

Pre-Engagement: Collaboration with college placement officers and hiring managers to finalize job

descriptions.

Candidate Choice: Students can choose their preferred JDs before assessments, aligning personal interest

with role suitability.

Evaluation Stages:

- Online Test - Two Technical Interviews - Managerial Interview - HR Discussion

Rapid Offers: Offers are released on the same or next day of final interviews, ensuring minimal waiting time.

This approach enhances both candidate experience and offer acceptance rates, making the process agile and

student-friendly.


Internship Programs for Students

Microchip’s internship model serves as the foundation for its fresher recruitment pipeline.

A. Six-Month Internship (With Pre-Placement Offer)

Purpose: Exclusive to students who receive a full-time offer during campus hiring.

Duration: January to June (final semester).

Outcome: Interns transition directly into full-time employment post-graduation, ensuring job readiness six

months in advance.

B. One-Year Internship (Conversion-Based)

Structure: Independent of campus placement offers.

Conversion: Eligible interns may be absorbed into full-time roles based on performance and available

openings.

Focus: Long-term engagement and practical exposure to real-world engineering challenges.

Compensation, Benefits, and Professional Development

Microchip’s total rewards package for NCGs integrates financial, educational, and wellness support to ensure

long-term growth and retention.

Financial & Career Incentives:

Stock Options for all new hires.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) – 15% discount on company shares.

Tuition Reimbursement for continuing education.

Transport Subsidy and Emergency Support assistance.

Professional Growth:

NCG Mentor Program: A dedicated senior mentor supports every fresher for one year, guiding professional and

personal development.

Continuous Learning: Employees are encouraged to pursue upskilling through internal and external training

programs.

Health & Wellness:

Comprehensive medical and personal insurance coverage for employees.

Strategic Context: The Indian Semiconductor Mission

Microchip’s hiring and talent development initiatives are aligned with the Government of India’s Semiconductor

Mission, which aims to expand the nation’s electronics manufacturing footprint and achieve a substantial global

market share.

Key Highlights:

The mission envisions creating large-scale employment opportunities in chip design, embedded systems, and

semiconductor manufacturing.

The government’s collaboration with academia and industry is fostering a robust talent pipeline.

Microchip actively partners with academic institutions, supporting curriculum integration, internships, and early

skill exposure.

Conclusion: Enabling India’s Semiconductor Workforce

Microchip’s talent acquisition model reflects a forward-looking integration of academia, industry, and

innovation.

By combining student choice, structured mentorship, and continuous learning, the company ensures that

new graduates are not only job-ready but also future-ready.

As the Indian Semiconductor Mission accelerates, Microchip stands as a key enabler of this

transformation—bridging education and employment while nurturing the next generation of skilled

professionals powering India’s digital and electronics revolution.


Pratibha Singh

Business Development Lead

AWS EP India

Topic: The AI-Driven Workforce:

Preparing the Next Generation of

Tech Professionals

Pratibha Singh emphasized the urgent need to prepare India’s workforce for an AI-driven future.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer emerging—it is already transforming industries and

workplaces. By 2027, India faces a projected shortfall of over 1 million skilled AI professionals,

reflecting a gap not in job availability but in talent readiness.

Bridging this gap requires a dual focus: foundational technical skills (Cloud, AI/ML, Data

Analysis, Cybersecurity) and enabling skills (Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Communication,

Ethical Judgment). Success depends on a collaborative framework involving government

(policy and infrastructure), educational institutions (knowledge dissemination), and industry

(practical experience and employment). AI should be embraced as a tool to augment human

capability, automating repetitive tasks and freeing individuals for innovation and creative

problem-solving.

The Current State and Impact of AI

AI has transitioned from a futuristic concept to an integral part of daily work. Singh underscored the importance of

embracing continuous change, quoting the Bhagavad Gita: “Change is the only constant.”

Time as a Key Resource: AI allows individuals to automate repetitive tasks, freeing time for higher-value

activities. Singh shared her own experience at Amazon, where tools like SQL, AI, and ML streamlined

workflows and enhanced productivity.

AI’s Role: It empowers humans to focus on creativity, strategic thinking, and innovation while handling routine

operations.

The AI Skills Gap in India

India faces a significant skills readiness challenge, not a lack of jobs:

Metric

AI-Driven Jobs

Available Workforce

Projected Figure (by 2027)

2.3 million

1.2 million

Skills Shortfall

>1 million

The gap reflects insufficient practical training, highlighting the need for an ecosystem that equips learners with

applicable, hands-on AI skills.

Essential Skills for the AI-Driven Workforce

Technical Skills:

Cloud Computing

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Machine Learning (ML) Fundamentals

Data Analysis

Cybersecurity


Enabling Skills:

Critical Thinking Problem Solving Communication Ethical Judgment

The philosophy of continuous learning, inspired by Jeff Bezos’ principle “Every day is day one,” emphasizes that

consistent skill development is crucial for future readiness.

A Collaborative Framework for Enablement

Building AI readiness requires a tri-sector approach:

Government: Formulates supportive policies, provides infrastructure, and ensures funding to enable access.

Educational Institutions: Deliver industry-aligned knowledge and equip students with relevant skills.

Industry: Bridges learning and employment by offering real-world projects, internships, and mentorship

opportunities.

AWS Initiatives in Education and Skilling

AWS programs exemplify practical skill-building for diverse audiences:

Program

AWS Educate

AWS Academy

AWS Restart

AWS Skill Builder

Target Audience & Description

Individuals 18+ seeking foundational

skills

Higher education institutions

Workforce re-entry (e.g., returning

mothers, veterans)

Professionals seeking skill

advancement

Key Features

Free access, lab-based applied

learning

Industry-aligned cloud &

AI curriculum

10-week cohort programs with

practical career skills

On-demand access to 700+

advanced courses

Since 2016, AWS has trained 2.7 million learners in India, contributing to workforce readiness for AI and cloudbased

careers.

Challenges and Shared Responsibilities

Key challenges include:

Digital Divide: Unequal access to devices, stable internet, and mentors.

Ethics and Bias: Responsible AI deployment is crucial.

Societal Roles:

Parents: Foster curiosity and encourage experimentation with technology.

Young Learners: Engage actively with AI tools and develop practical skills.

Industry Peers: Mentor and create real-world opportunities for learners.

Government Leaders: Provide enabling policies and invest in necessary infrastructure.

Conclusion: Human-AI Partnership

Singh concluded with a vision of AI as an augmentative force:

AI automates repetitive tasks, enabling humans to focus on innovation and creativity.

Humans remain central to decision-making, strategy, and ethical judgment.

As Singh aptly stated: “AI can power our tools, but humans will always power our destiny.” Preparing the workforce

for AI is not optional—it is critical for national and organizational competitiveness, innovation, and economic

growth.


Asad Suhail

Professional Services Manager

Palo Alto Networks

Topic: Building a Secure Digital Future:

AI at the Intersection of Academia and

Industry

The address focused on the evolving cybersecurity landscape, emphasizing that Artificial

Intelligence (AI) and quantum computing are transforming cyberattacks into faster, smarter,

and more difficult threats. Global cybercrime now poses an economic risk of $9.5 trillion, a figure

projected to rise. The primary challenge is not the absence of talent but a critical skills gap:

students often possess theoretical knowledge yet lack practical, hands-on experience to

respond effectively to real-world attacks.

The solution proposed combines technological innovation through platformized AI-driven

defense with educational reforms integrating internships, faculty upskilling, and practical

curriculum design. Palo Alto Networks’ global academy program exemplifies this approach,

providing a structured model for building the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

The Escalating Cyber Threat Landscape

Cyber threats have grown in sophistication and scale due to rapid digital transformation and AI-driven attacks.

The Cybersecurity Skills Gap in India

India faces a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, with 40,000 positions unfilled in 2024.

Economic Impact: Global losses from cybercrime reached $9.5 trillion, equivalent to the world’s third-largest

economy. In India, 20,000 attacks caused revenue losses of 23,000 Crore, threatening critical digital

infrastructures like UPI and Aadhaar.

AI-Powered Attacks:

- Deepfakes enabled financial frauds, such as a $25 million loss in Hong Kong via AI-generated participants.

- AI-generated phishing and malware are increasingly convincing and easy to deploy.

- AI accelerates vulnerability detection, facilitating rapid exploitation in supply chains.

Quantum Computing Risks: Current encryption could be compromised in seconds, requiring new

cryptographic standards.

Theory vs. Practice: Students understand concepts like phishing or malware but cannot respond to live

incidents.

Case in Point: A ransomware attack on a Delhi hospital disrupted patient care for days, highlighting the

consequences of insufficient hands-on training.

Strategic Solution: Technology and Education

Technological Approach – Platformization and AI Defense

Platformization: Integrating siloed security products enables comprehensive data correlation, eliminating

blind spots.

AI Capabilities:

- Predictive analysis stops attacks before they occur.

- Automated incident response manages thousands of alerts efficiently.

- Continuous monitoring tracks file and process behavior to detect malicious activity.


Educational Approach – Bridging Academia and Industry

Industry Internships: Students gain real-time experience defending live systems.

Faculty Upskilling: Educators trained in cutting-edge cybersecurity practices influence hundreds of students.

Curriculum Co-Design: Hands-on learning replaces purely theoretical teaching (e.g., using Wireshark to

analyze TCP protocols).

Palo Alto Networks Academy Initiative

The Academy operationalizes the proposed educational framework:

Programs:

- Lead Program: Industry internships for students.

- Secure Program: Faculty upskilling.

Curriculum: Introductory and advanced courses in Network Security, Cloud Security, and Security Operations,

aligned with NIST and NICE standards.

Resources: Virtual labs, free access to materials, and certification discounts.

Global Reach: Active in 107 countries, partnered with 3,600+ academies and 200,000+ high schools,

impacting over 1 million students.

Palo Alto Networks: Industry Profile

Founded in 2005 as a firewall company; now a global cybersecurity leader with 30+ product lines.

Revenue growth from $18B (2017) to $130B; serves 85,000+ customers across 150+ countries.

Strategic innovation includes AI runtime security products and high-value acquisitions.

Conclusion

The address underscored a dual imperative: technological agility and educational transformation. Building a

secure digital future demands AI-powered defense, practical skill development, and strategic collaboration

between academia and industry. The message is unequivocal: to survive and thrive in the modern threat

landscape, nations and organizations must bridge the skills gap and adopt platformized AI solutions—preparing

the workforce to defend against cyber risks and secure a resilient digital future.


Dushyant Chhabra

Sr. Manager- Employer Channel

Wadhwani Foundation

Topic: AI in Education

In his address at EduSkills Connect ’25, Dushyant Chhabra presented the Wadhwani

Foundation’s transformative vision for AI-driven skilling and employability. Founded by Mr.

Ramesh Wadhwani, a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist who has pledged 80% of his $10

billion+ wealth, the Foundation operates in 20+ countries with a singular mission — to create

family-sustainable jobs and empower individuals with the dignity of work.

The Foundation’s efforts rest on four pillars: Skilling, Entrepreneurship, Government Digital

Transformation, and Innovation & Research. Its core strength lies in an AI-enabled Talent

Lifecycle framework that nurtures individuals from college through the first five years of

employment. This approach blends technology and human mentorship to build not just jobready

but job-resilient professionals.

Mission, Vision, and Global Impact

The Wadhwani Foundation’s mission is clear: “To create more and more jobs.” Every initiative, from workforce

development to research commercialization, is measured by its capacity to generate employment.

Founder’s Legacy: Mr. Ramesh Wadhwani, who overcame polio and founded 40 companies, exemplifies

resilience and innovation. His philanthropic commitment underpins the Foundation’s large-scale programs in

Asia, Africa, and Latin America, focusing on employability and inclusive economic growth.

Strategic Pillars of Impact

Skilling: The Foundation’s flagship initiative focuses on behavioral and soft skills—identified by over 2,000

employers worldwide as the biggest employability gap.

Entrepreneurship: Supports aspiring founders from ideation to seed funding, cultivating job creators.

Government Digital Transformation: Embeds AI systems within ministries such as Health and Rural

Development to optimize policy and governance.

Innovation & Research: A ₹1,400 crore partnership with the Ministry of Education and Prime Minister

Narendra Modi, aimed at helping universities convert patents into market-ready products and job opportunities.

Core Skilling Programs

The Foundation’s AI-driven skilling ecosystem targets both students and early-career professionals,

addressing the employability gap through structured programs:

Job Ready Program (75 hours): Prepares pre-final and final-year students for interviews and first jobs

through interactive, multilingual modules (English, Hindi, Odia, Kannada, Bangla) and an inbuilt AI Buddy for

on-demand guidance.

Job Rise Program (70 hours): Builds professional competencies among early-career employees through

workplace scenarios — conflict resolution, customer handling, and teamwork.

Core Skills Developed: Communication, problem solving, professionalism, interpersonal relations, customer

centricity, and productivity.


AI Co-Pilots: Personalized Learning and Career Tools

The Wadhwani Foundation has developed a suite of philanthropic AI tools that democratize access to skilling and

career guidance:

My Career Advisor: Offers realistic previews of 250+ job roles, helping students make informed choices.

My Tutor: A multilingual AI mentor that contextualizes lessons with role-specific examples and real-world

applications.

My Interview Coach: A Generative AI avatar that conducts mock interviews, offers iterative feedback, and

builds self-confidence through guided reflection.

Together, these tools create a continuous feedback loop — from career exploration to job readiness and

interview success.

Human + AI: A Blended Mentorship Model

Recognizing that AI cannot replace empathy or confidence-building, the Foundation combines technology with

human touchpoints:

Faculty-led classes and live master sessions.

Mentorship through “Human Career Buddies” for personalized guidance.

Peer forums and 24/7 helpdesk support for learning continuity.

This hybrid model bridges emotional and behavioral dimensions of employability, ensuring students not only

learn skills but also gain self-assurance and workplace readiness.

Skill Assessment and Industry Partnerships

Graduates receive a Skill Card — a competency-based assessment tool that replaces traditional certificates. It

provides a detailed snapshot of strengths (e.g., customer centricity) and improvement areas (e.g., time

management), giving employers data-driven hiring insights.

The Foundation’s impact is amplified through collaborations with:

EduSkills Foundation, its key implementation partner in India.

Ministry of Education, for innovation and patent commercialization programs.

Corporate Employers, who integrate Wadhwani-trained talent into their workforce.

Conclusion: Empowering India’s Workforce through AI for Good

The Wadhwani Foundation represents a model of AI for social transformation—where artificial intelligence,

mentorship, and policy converge to produce employable, adaptable, and ethical professionals. By fostering

lifelong learning and behavioral competence, it not only bridges India’s skill gap but also sets a global benchmark

for AI-enabled, human-centered employability.


Ramesha BS

Head - Academic Initiatives

Altair

Topic: Era of Smart Product

Development via AI and ML

Ramesh B. S., Head of Academic Initiatives at Altair, delivered an insightful address on how

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are redefining the landscape of

engineering education and product innovation. His core message highlighted a widening

academia–industry gap, where curricula have not kept pace with the AI-driven evolution of

traditional engineering disciplines.

While universities are rapidly creating specialized programs in AI and Data Science, he

emphasized that the real potential of AI lies in transforming core engineering fields —

Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil, and Bio-Engineering. The future of engineering, he

argued, will belong to those who can integrate data-driven intelligence into physical product

design, enabling smart, connected, and adaptive systems.

Through Altair’s collaboration with EduSkills Foundation, Ramesh B. S. outlined a strategic

roadmap that connects industry-ready skills, project-based learning, and AI-powered

simulation tools — equipping students for the smart product revolution.

The Academia–Industry Skills Disconnect

The session began by identifying a long-standing misalignment between engineering education and real-world

skill demands.

Academic Trend:

Engineering institutions are offering new degrees in AI, Data Science, and Cybersecurity — yet these remain

isolated from traditional domains and often lack practical engineering applications.

Industrial Reality:

AI and ML create maximum impact when embedded within core engineering processes, such as:

Mechanical design optimization

Electronics and electrical automation

Structural analysis in civil engineering

Predictive modeling in bio-engineering

Industry now expects every engineer — not just data scientists — to possess data literacy, simulation

experience, and AI tool proficiency. The challenge, Ramesh noted, is not adding new courses but making

existing programs smarter.

Paradigm Shift in Product Value: The Automotive Example

Ramesh B. S. used the automotive industry to illustrate how product value has shifted from mechanical

performance to software-defined intelligence.

Aspect

Fossil Fuel Era

Smart Electric Vehicle Era

Value Proposition

Engine design & mechanical efficiency

Software, sensors, and connectivity

Customer Focus

Core Technology

Power and torque

Mechanical systems

User experience & smart features

Fusion of mechanical, electrical &

digital systems

Differentiator Engine performance Intelligence & data integration


In the past, automakers like Bajaj competed on mechanical specifications. Today, leaders such as Tesla, Tata,

and Hyundai compete on software, analytics, and AI-driven personalization. The automobile has evolved from

a machine to a data platform, demanding a new kind of engineer — one fluent in both mechanics and algorithms.

Altair’s Role in the Smart Industry Revolution

Altair, a global leader in simulation, AI, and data analytics, is driving the convergence of design, engineering,

and computation.

The company’s platforms enable engineers to simulate, predict, and optimize product performance before

physical testing — creating faster, smarter, and more sustainable design cycles.

Core Focus Areas:

Smart Cities & Buildings

Industry 4.0 & Manufacturing Automation

Robotics & Mechatronics

Digital Twin–based Design and Simulation

Digital Twins — virtual replicas of real-world systems — were described as the foundation of future product

development. They allow engineers to simulate physical behavior, predict outcomes, and refine products using AIdriven

insights, leading to cost savings, efficiency, and sustainability.

Bridging the Gap: Altair’s Academic Initiatives

Altair’s academic programs, developed in collaboration with EduSkills Foundation, aim to transform

engineering education from theoretical learning to hands-on, AI-enabled innovation.

Key Initiatives:

EduSkills Partnership: Integrates Altair’s professional-grade design and simulation tools into academic

curricula, ensuring access for both faculty and students.

Project-Based Learning: Encourages teams to develop functional prototypes — e.g., sensor-equipped

vehicles or automated systems — using Altair’s AI-powered simulation software.

Cyberacus Contest: A national competition challenging students to solve real-world engineering problems

using AI and ML principles.

Upcoming Cloud Platform (Jan 2026): Provides access to Altair’s cloud-based simulation, datasets, and

ML models, enabling students to build and validate intelligent engineering systems in domains like predictive

maintenance and structural design.

Through these initiatives, Altair seeks to nurture an ecosystem of co-creation, connecting academia, startups,

and industry to accelerate India’s transition toward smart product development.

Conclusion: Reimagining Engineering in the Smart Age

Ramesh B. S. concluded with a powerful message — the engineer of tomorrow must think both mechanically

and computationally. Engineering education must evolve from teaching equations to teaching intelligence.

He urged universities to embed AI and simulation directly into core courses, labs, and design projects, allowing

students to experience how data-driven insights transform creativity and innovation.

“The true value of an engineer in the smart age lies not in building machines, but in building intelligent systems that

learn, adapt, and evolve.”

— Ramesh B. S., Head – Academic Initiatives, Altair


Rajesh Kumar

Sr. Sales Engineer

Juniper Networks

Topic: AI-Driven Innovation:

Shaping the Future of Academia

and Research

Rajesh Kumar’s address centered on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in

redefining education, research, and digital infrastructure. He emphasized that AI must be

viewed as an ally, not an adversary — a relationship defined by “man with machine” rather than

“man versus machine.” Highlighting Juniper Networks’ “experience-first” approach, he

demonstrated how AI-native networking platforms are revolutionizing higher education

institutions by delivering secure, scalable, and intelligent digital ecosystems.

Through its strategic partnership with EduSkills, Juniper Networks is empowering universities

with the Juniper Networks Certified Associate (JNCA) program and Centers of Excellence

(COEs), enabling hands-on learning on industry-grade AI-driven equipment. The initiatives aim

to make students employment-ready, enhance institutional reputation, and simplify complex IT

operations. Quantifiable outcomes include up to 90% reduction in network trouble tickets and

95% faster deployment times, underscoring the power of automation and AI-optimized

infrastructure in academia.

AI and Its Expanding Influence in Everyday Life and Education

AI’s pervasive impact on modern living — from ride-hailing to online deliveries — reflects the massive data flow

across networks. Rajesh Kumar underscored that education must align with this AI-driven world, ensuring

responsible and ethical adoption. The philosophy is clear: AI should augment human intelligence rather than

replace it.

With Generative AI accelerating innovation and AI startups receiving unprecedented funding, Kumar noted that

there are already 60–70 popular tools in regular use globally, symbolizing the rapid democratization of AI. The

challenge for academia lies not just in integrating AI tools but in cultivating an understanding of their ethical,

practical, and research implications.

Juniper Networks’ Vision: Experience-First AI for Education

Founded in 1996, Juniper Networks has emerged as a global leader in AI-powered networking solutions

spanning routing, switching, wireless, and security. Its higher education vertical is now the company’s fastestgrowing

business area, with 20% year-on-year growth.

Juniper’s differentiation lies in its focus on Experience-First AI — using AI and ML not just for automation but for

optimizing user experience. The platform measures real-world performance indicators like connection speed,

signal coverage, and user satisfaction, ensuring that “connectivity equals quality experience.”

The Juniper–EduSkills Partnership: Building Future-Ready Campuses

Through its collaboration with EduSkills, Juniper is bridging the gap between academia and industry. The JNCA

program and Centers of Excellence (COE) serve as dynamic platforms for students to gain real-world exposure

to AI-enabled networks.

Global Reach:

524 partner institutions worldwide

70,000+ students trained (35,000 in India)

45 COE labs established


Juniper contributes cloud-based labs, live product demos, and no-cost faculty training, ensuring accessibility and

scalability.

Each COE functions as a miniature enterprise environment, integrating next-generation firewalls, switches, and

wireless access points — all powered by AI-native architecture. Students gain hands-on expertise while faculty

engage in skill upgradation and applied research. The platform’s full API programmability fosters innovation,

enabling custom research and AI application development.

Addressing Key Challenges in Higher Education

Modern campuses face escalating demands for secure, seamless, and intelligent networks. Juniper’s platform

directly addresses these challenges by focusing on:

Data security and privacy for institutional and personal devices (BYOD).

High-quality user experience through real-time performance insights.

Operational efficiency by automating network monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization.

AI anxiety mitigation, helping students and educators engage confidently with emerging technologies.

The platform’s AI-driven Service Level Experience (SLE) system continuously monitors user KPIs and automates

issue resolution through Marvis, Juniper’s NLP-powered virtual AI assistant. The system’s self-learning “agentic

AI” enables predictive, proactive, and even self-healing network management.

Impact Metrics and Measurable Outcomes

Juniper’s AI-driven solutions have demonstrated transformative outcomes across universities and

enterprises alike:

Metric

Improvement

Network trouble tickets

On-site troubleshooting visits

Service provisioning time

Network deployment time

↓ 90%

↓ 85%

↑ 85% faster

↑ 95% faster

These quantifiable results highlight the tangible operational and experiential benefits of adopting AI-native

platforms in education.

Conclusion: A Call to Embrace the AI Future

Rajesh Kumar concluded with a compelling message: the future of academia lies in proactive technological

adoption. The Juniper–EduSkills collaboration provides a proven, scalable framework for universities to

modernize their digital infrastructure and empower students with future-ready skills.

His closing message resonated as a strategic imperative for academic leaders:

“In today’s digital era, the cost of not taking a decision is too high. The time to act is now — to build together, learn

together, and innovate together.”


Rajeshkumar Chemalli

Head of Technical Services,

DC Infotech & Communication

Topic: AI and Automation in Security

Rajeshkumar Chemalli’s address at EduSkills Connect’25 spotlighted the convergence of

Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and cybersecurity, underscoring how these forces are

reshaping digital defense and workforce demands. He argued that while AI has transformed

cybersecurity capabilities, it has also amplified the scale and sophistication of cyber threats,

exposing a critical skills gap — an estimated shortage of 350,000 cybersecurity professionals in

India.

His message to academia was clear: build deep technology foundations and automation skills

among students, rather than focusing solely on product-based training. As organizations shift

from perimeter-based to data-centric security models, professionals must evolve from tool

users to system thinkers — capable of integrating AI, APIs, and automation in cyber defense.

The Cybersecurity Talent Crisis

Chemalli identified the talent deficit as the industry’s most urgent challenge. Despite the demand, many

graduates lack essential technical depth.

Skills Shortage: India currently needs around 350,000 trained cybersecurity experts.

Hiring Experience: Of 150 recent interviewees, only a handful were found employable due to weak fundamentals.

Academic Imperative: Institutions must integrate core technologies (TCP/IP, UDP, Python, APIs) with hands-on

cybersecurity training.

“No matter how many tools we have, unless we have the proper people and process, tools will not work — it’s PPT:

People, Process, Technology.”

Evolving Threat Landscape: From Perimeter to Data-Centric Defense

Modern cyberattacks are more targeted, automated, and in some cases, AI-generated. Chemalli cited the

example of an AI agent “going rogue” and creating thousands of unauthorized database entries — once science

fiction, now reality.

Insider Threats: AI-enabled User Behavior Analytics (UBA) can detect anomalous insider activity by

assigning predictive risk scores.

AI Warfare: Echoing national concerns, he emphasized that cyber warfare now parallels AI warfare — both

driven by intelligence systems capable of self-learning and adaptation.

The speaker invoked the “Laxman Rekha” analogy:

Traditional models drew a boundary around data; modern security must follow data wherever it goes — a Laxman

Rekha around Sita, not the hut.

AI and Automation in Cyber Defense

AI has become indispensable for analyzing vast threat data and detecting anomalies at machine speed.

Threat Detection at Scale: Platforms like Zscaler process 500 million transactions daily, blocking 220 million

threats — volumes unmanageable by humans.

Automation Efficiency: Integrating AI alerts with SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and

Response) systems enables instant action such as account lockdowns.


Human Capital in the Age of AI

Chemalli rejected the notion that AI will replace cybersecurity professionals. Instead, it will redefine roles and

heighten the value of expertise.

Adaptation Over Displacement: Firms are hiring fewer people overall — but more specialists in AI and

automation.

Lifelong Learning: Professionals must continuously upskill; Chemalli himself is pursuing a finance program at

IIT Madras to stay industry-relevant.

Educators’ Role: Universities must cultivate curiosity, adaptability, and technical depth — preparing students

for a constantly evolving threat environment.

Key Takeaways

Time Savings: Configuration tasks that once took 3–4 days can now be completed in under an hour using

Postman APIs and Python scripts.

Organizations increasingly use automation not just for efficiency but to convert security from a cost center into

a business enabler.

Continuous Evolution: Cyber threats evolve faster than defenses; education and industry must stay agile.

Human-AI Collaboration: AI enhances detection and response, but human judgment remains irreplaceable.

Bridging the Skills Gap: Collaboration between academia and industry is essential to produce “evolved

professionals” — experts grounded in fundamentals, fluent in automation, and committed to lifelong learning.

In summary, Chemalli’s address reframed cybersecurity not as a static discipline but as an ever-evolving

ecosystem driven by AI, automation, and human expertise. To safeguard the digital future, he called on academia

and industry to jointly nurture the next generation of cybersecurity leaders — innovative, adaptive, and

continuously learning.


Sumit Jalan

Director

Taksheela

Topic: EduSkills Taksheela

Global Immersion Program

In his compelling address at EduSkills Connect ’25, Sumit Jalan, Director of Takshila, articulated

a strong case for the urgent internationalization of India’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

He underscored that global engagement is no longer a luxury but a strategic necessity for

institutional excellence, student competitiveness, and national progress.

Despite the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizing global integration, Jalan

highlighted the persistent execution gap—with 1.3 million Indian students studying abroad

versus only 50,000 international students in India, and less than 0.1% of HEIs offering dual

degree programs. He emphasized that closing this gap is critical if India aims to become a true

global education destination.

Drawing on data, case studies, and actionable strategies, Jalan positioned EduSkills–Takshila’s

Global Immersion Program (GIP) as a launchpad for scalable, credit-worthy, and outcomedriven

internationalization, enabling Indian HEIs to go beyond symbolic MOUs toward genuine,

bi-directional partnerships.

The Case for Internationalization: From Policy to Practice

Jalan described a clear policy–practice divide within Indian higher education. While NEP 2020 envisions

internationalization as a pillar of reform, very few institutions have operationalized it effectively.

Key Insights and Data Points:

Outbound–Inbound Imbalance: Over 1.3 million Indian students study abroad annually, while fewer than

50,000 foreign students choose India.

Dual Degree Gap: Out of 58,000+ HEIs, only 60 have dual degree or joint programs (<0.1%), reflecting a need

for structural support and execution capacity.

Challenges Identified:

Absence of strategic internationalization planning within HEIs.

Limited institutional budgets for global engagement.

Focus on signing MOUs without activating tangible student or faculty mobility.

Jalan asserted that bridging this execution gap requires structured interventions, measurable outcomes, and

ecosystem partnerships, which EduSkills and Takshila jointly aim to enable.

Why Internationalization Matters: Quality, Rankings, and Recognition

Internationalization, Jalan noted, is a key determinant of quality and global visibility. It influences major

evaluation frameworks—

Accreditations: Contributes directly to NAAC and international quality benchmarks such as ABET.

Rankings: Affects institutional performance in NIRF, QS, and Times Higher Education (THE) rankings

through parameters like foreign student enrollment, global faculty participation, and cross-border

research output.

He emphasized that beyond metrics, internationalization transforms academic culture—fostering peer

learning, research innovation, and global readiness among students.

Case Example: Shoolini University

Citing Shoolini University’s journey from being ranked 70th in NIRF to India’s #1 private university in QS

and THE rankings (2025), Jalan demonstrated that focused internationalization can redefine institutional

trajectories and credibility.


The Risk of Inaction: Learning from Global Disruption

Jalan warned that Indian HEIs risk stagnation and irrelevance if they fail to adapt. Drawing parallels with

companies like Nokia, Kodak, and Xerox, he emphasized that “institutions that resist change will be out of

the race.”

He also highlighted the emerging threat and opportunity from foreign universities entering India—setting up

campuses in GIFT City, Gurgaon, and Bangalore. This trend signals that Indian HEIs must expand their

competitive lens from local to global.

“If they can tap our students, why can’t we tap theirs?” — Sumit Jalan

Global Immersion Program (GIP): A Practical Model for Action

The EduSkills–Takshila Global Immersion Program (GIP) was presented as a structured, scalable, and

credit-based model that helps HEIs operationalize internationalization.

Core Features:

Component

Academic Integration

Description

Workshops, short-term research, and joint projects with

partner universities.

Industry Exposure

Cultural Exchange

Credit Transferability

Bi-Directional Mobility

Visits to international industries to connect theory with practice.

Activities fostering global perspectives and soft skills.

GIPs are credit-bearing, aligned with ECTS standards

(e.g., 3 credits for 30-day immersion).

Model enabling both Indian students abroad and foreign students in

India, co-developed with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Tiered Destinations:

Accessible Tier: Malaysia, Vietnam – affordable, partnership-ready nations.

Aspirational Tier: Dubai – global education hub connecting UK, US, and Australian universities.

Premium Tier: Germany – for advanced research exposure and technical learning.

Institutions such as Dehgam Institute University have already integrated GIPs into their curriculum, using them

to fulfill internship requirements, showcasing how immersion can seamlessly align with academic credit systems.

Multi-Stakeholder Value and Broader Ecosystem Impact

Jalan emphasized that internationalization benefits all levels of the education ecosystem:

Students & Faculty: Gain global exposure, cross-cultural skills, and enhanced career pathways.

HEIs: Improve brand, accreditation outcomes, and placement success.

Government: Aligns with NEP 2020’s vision of “India as a Global Study Destination.”

Industry: Access to a globally competent talent pool adaptable to multinational work environments.

Takshila’s Extended Internationalization Services:

Global admissions facilitation.

Semester exchange and study abroad programs.

Virtual internships (e.g., with Western Sydney University, Australia).

Conclusion: A Call to Scale International

Jalan concluded with a forward-looking vision—urging HEIs to embrace EduSkills–Takshila’s GIP model as a

policy-driven, stakeholder-aligned framework to position Indian education globally.

“GIP is not just mobility—it is policy in action. With Takshila and EduSkills, India can scale international.”

He reaffirmed that through collaboration, structured planning, and purposeful execution, Indian HEIs can not only

reverse the current imbalance but reclaim India’s ancient legacy as a global seat of learning—modern-day

Takshashila for the 21st century.


Dr. K. Mallikharjuna Babu

Vice Chancellor

Galgotias University

Galgotias University has emerged as one of India’s early adopters of large-scale Artificial

Intelligence (AI) integration in higher education. Under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Dr. K.

Mallikharjuna Babu, the institution has positioned AI not as a disruption but as a catalyst for

transformation—redefining pedagogy, assessment, and student support.

The university’s AI strategy is built on three pillars:

Active Learning Transformation – Replacing rote learning with AI-enhanced, collaborative

classrooms.

AI-Driven Assessment – Developing a proprietary Large Language Model (LLM) to automate

curriculum-aligned question generation.

Applied Innovation – Establishing industry-linked programs that enable students to design,

develop, and deploy real-world solutions.

In parallel, Galgotias has extended AI’s reach beyond academics by implementing an AIenabled

emotional wellness app, ensuring that student well-being complements academic

excellence.

Foundational Philosophy and Institutional Context

Galgotias’ AI adoption is guided by the belief that emerging technologies must enhance both learning quality and

accessibility. Its strategic framework rests on:

People: Empowering faculty and leadership as innovation drivers.

Infrastructure: Building smart, tech-enabled learning spaces.

Quality Practices: Ensuring continuous improvement through evidence-based teaching and assessment.

The university’s mission is to create “industry-ready graduates” while upholding affordability—reflected in its

decision to freeze student fees for multiple years.

AI-Driven Academic Transformation

Initiative 1: Redefining Pedagogy through GSCALE

Galgotias’ GSCALE (Student-Centered Active Learning Ecosystem) replaces lecture-based instruction with

interactive, AI-supported learning.

Over 1,000 faculty trained under a partnership with Rudi University, Singapore.

Classrooms redesigned into active learning labs, representing a multimillion-rupee investment.

Faculty use paid AI tools (e.g., Pedal Light, Booklash, Multimeter, Cohort) to facilitate real-time participation

and connect lessons with live, global contexts such as parliamentary debates.

Each student’s learning journey is captured through AI-enabled learning logs for personalized feedback.

“Rote learning should go away — the alternative is an active learning system that engages students directly.”


Initiative 2: AI-Powered Assessment & Curriculum Validation

To streamline evaluation, Galgotias developed its own proprietary LLM, trained on over 300 academic programs.

The AI generates 100+ curriculum-aligned questions per topic using Bloom’s and SOLO taxonomies.

Subject experts verify all AI-generated items to ensure quality, relevance, and accuracy.

The system enables randomized, bias-free question banks for both practice and examination.

This approach not only reduces faculty workload but ensures objectivity, scalability, and continuous curriculum

alignment.

Initiative 3: Industry-Linked iOS Innovation Program

In collaboration with Appetino and Their Time Infos, Galgotias established an iOS Development Center that fuses

technical learning with entrepreneurial practice.

100 students per cohort engage in a “reverse design process”—identifying real-world problems before

developing app-based solutions.

Outcomes: Nine functional apps launched and three student-led startups established.

Demonstrates a results-oriented model where education translates directly into innovation and employment.

“Students begin with real-life problems, create solutions, and convert them into apps — that’s education

guaranteed to produce impact.”

AI for Student Well-being

Galgotias University’s holistic AI vision includes an AI-enabled mental health platform supporting emotional

resilience.

The app analyzes students’ messages to detect emotional tone and connect them instantly with counselors.

Focus areas include stress, academic pressure, and personal well-being.

This initiative reinforces a “complete ecosystem of learning” that integrates academic, emotional, and ethical

growth.

“It’s not only about education but also student well-being — that makes a complete ecosystem of learning.”

Strategic Implications and Takeaways

AI as Enabler, Not Threat: Galgotias demonstrates that AI can humanize learning rather than replace

educators.

Institutional Innovation Model: The three-pronged approach—pedagogy, assessment, innovation—offers a

scalable model for other universities.

Skill and Start-up Integration: AI-infused curricula can directly feed India’s innovation pipeline and workforce

readiness.

Holistic Vision: The integration of academic and emotional intelligence underscores a future-ready, learnercentered

education system.

In summary, Galgotias University’s AI integration strategy reflects a nationally significant education reform

model—one that combines pedagogical innovation, technological rigor, and compassionate student care. By

embedding AI into every dimension of learning, from classroom to counseling, Galgotias exemplifies how Indian

higher education can lead in the age of intelligent transformation.


Appreciations That Motivate

Dr. J. P. Dash

Principal Director,

National Academy of

Defence Production,

Ministry of Defence,

Govt. of India

Dear Mr. Shubhajit & EduSkills Team,

Jai Jagannath

I had the privilege of attending the AI for AI Residential Conference by EduSkills Connect, and I must say — it

was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The entire program was seamlessly organized — from air

travel and transfers to hotel stay, hospitality, and food — every detail reflected thoughtful planning and care.

What stood out even more was the warmth and down-to-earth nature of every team member staring from

Bibek, Paritosh and the list goes on, which made the experience truly special.

The sessions were a powerhouse of energy, motivation, and knowledge sharing. Listening to the Hon’ble

Governor’s inspiring address, Dr. R. P. Dash on the government’s stand on AI, and Prof. K. K. Agrawal’s

practical wisdom was truly enriching. The corporate leaders’ keynotes and panel discussions opened new

perspectives on the future of academia and industry collaboration. And of course, the motivational program by

Ashish Vidyarthi was simply outstanding — an experience that will stay with us for months to come.

Dr. Haraprasad Panda, MRICS

Executive President

Kapston Services

Not getting the right words but the way this entire event was conceptualized, coordinated, and executed

exceeded expectations. My heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to the entire “EduSkills Connect Team” for their

tireless efforts and commitment. On every step, your leadership and guidance was clearly visible. You have set

a new benchmark in how learning, networking, and inspiration can be combined in one platform. Wishing you

all continued success in your journey of empowering academia and industry.

With warm regards,

Dr. Haraprasad Panda, MRICS

Executive President

Kapston Services


Unveiling of Annual Ranking and Achievement Reports

EduSkills Internship Ranking 2025 :

Recognizing top-performing institutions for excellence in student participation, completion rates, and

innovation through the AICTE-EduSkills Virtual Internship Programs. This initiative fosters healthy competition

and inspires institutions to embrace next-gen skill programs, driving India's future-ready workforce.

The Rising Stars 2024:

Shines a spotlight on the inspiring success stories of students who have successfully completed the

AICTE–EduSkills Virtual Internship. This edition proudly highlights their remarkable journeys in securing

placements, pursuing higher education, and venturing into entrepreneurship—despite the challenges they

faced along the way. More than just a showcase of achievements, it serves as a source of encouragement and

motivation for current and future students, reaffirming the transformative power of skill-based learning and

perseverance.

Celebrating AICTE-EduSkills 4 Years of Achievement :

Empowering students across India with industry-relevant skills, hands-on learning and career. Over these 4

years, the program has impacted lakhs of students, bridging academia and industry to build a digital workforce

for New India.


MoU Signed for International Internship Program

We are thrilled to announce the signing of an MOU with South Asian University (established by all SAARC

countries) to launch an International Internship Program. This partnership marks a significant step toward

providing students with global exposure, cross-boarder learning, and international industry experience,

strengthening collaboration across the SAARC region.

SOUTHASIAN

UNIVERSITY


Award of Appreciation

We were honored to present the Award of

Appreciation to our esteemed partners – Amazon

Web Services (AWS) | Google Cloud | Zscaler |

Juniper Networks | Microchip Technology Inc. |

Celonis | Fortinet | Altair | Wadhwani Foundation -

for their invaluable support to the AICTE –

EduSkills Virtual Internship Program.


Juniper AI-Driven Campus Center of Excellence Awards

We are proud to recognize and celebrate the institutions that have successfully established the Juniper AI-

Driven Campus Center of Excellence (CoE), fostering innovation, automation, and future-ready skill

development. Together, we are building campuses that are smarter, secure, and AI-driven to empower the

next generation of tech leaders.


Microchip Embeded System Developer

Center of Excellence Awards

We are proud to honor the institutions who have successfully set up the Microchip Microchip Embeded

System Developer Center of Excellence (CoE). This recognition celebrates the efforts of these institutions in

fostering innovation, research, and skill development in embedded systems, preparing students to lead in the

tech-driven future.


Institutions Award 2025

Star Performing University - 2025 (All India) Galgotias University Uttar Pradesh

Best Performing University - 2025 (Central Zone) LNCT University Madhya Pradesh

Best Performing University - 2025 (Eastern Zone) KIIT University Odisha

Best Performing University - 2025 (Eastern Zone) Techno India University West Bengal

Best Performing University - 2025 (South - Central Zone) K L University Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing University - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Mohan Babu University Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing University - 2025 (South - Central Zone) SR University Telangana

Best Performing University - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing University - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Anurag University Telangana

Best Performing University - 2025 (South - Central Zone) KL University Hyderabad Telangana

Best Performing University - 2025 (South - West Zone) GITAM Deemed to be University - Bengaluru Karnataka

Best Performing University - 2025 (Southern Zone) SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Tamil Nadu

Best Performing University - 2025 (Western Zone) Ramdeobaba University Maharashtra

Best Performing University - 2025 (Western Zone) PCET’s Pimpri Chinchwad University Maharashtra

Best Performing University - 2025 (Western Zone) D. Y. Patil Education Society, Kolhapur Maharashtra

Emerging University of the Year - 2025 Invertis University Uttar Pradesh

Star Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (All India) Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Central Zone) Institute of Technology & Management, Gwalior Madhya Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Central Zone) Gyan Ganga College of Technology Madhya Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Central Zone) Babulal Tarabai Institute of Research and Technology Madhya Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Northern - West Zone) Gulzar Group of Institutions Punjab

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Eastern Zone) JIS College of Engineering West Bengal

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Eastern Zone) Dream Institute of Technology West Bengal

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Northern Zone) Meerut Institute of Engineering & Technology Uttar Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Kakinada Institute of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) G. Pullaiah College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Rajeev Gandhi Memorial College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Malineni Lakshmaiah Women's Engineering College Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Chalapathi Institute of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) CVR College of Engineering Telangana

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) DVR & Dr. HS MIC College of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Chalapathi Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Balaji Institute of Technology & Science Telangana

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Sagi Ramakrishnam Raju Engineering College Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Vignana Bharathi Institute of Technology Telangana

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Vishnu Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Kallam Haranadhareddy Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) ISL Engineering College Telangana

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Marri Laxman Reddy Institute of Technology and Management Telangana

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Srinivasa Institute of Engineering and Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Ravindra College of Engineering for Women Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Sphoorthy Engineering College Telangana

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Kamala Institute of Technology & Science Telangana

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South - Central Zone) SRK Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (South- West Zone) Srinivas Institute of Technology Karnataka

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Southern Zone) Chennai Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu


Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Southern Zone) Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Southern Zone) K.S.R College of Engineering Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Southern Zone) K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) A. P. Shah Institute of Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology & Research Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) P. R. Pote Patil College of Engineering and Management, Amravati Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Mauli Group of Institutions, College of Engineering & Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Prof Ram Meghe College of Engineering & Management Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Amrutvahini College of Engineering Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Rajarambapu Institute of Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) MIT Academy of Engineering Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) S. B. Jain Institute of Technology, Management and Research Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Tatyasaheb Kore Institute of Engineering & Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) BRACT's Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) D.Y. Patil College of Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Sipna College of Engineering and Technology Maharashtra

Star Performing College - 2025 (All India) ASN Degree College Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing College - 2025 (North Zone) National Post Graduate College, Lucknow Uttar Pradesh

Best Performing College - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Sri Venkateswara Degree & PG College Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Civil Engineering Dept. in Internship Participation Rajeev Gandhi Memorial College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Civil Engineering Dept. in Internship Participation Mauli Group of Institutions, College of Engineering & Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Civil Engineering Dept. in Internship Participation Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Civil Engineering Dept. in Internship Participation Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation MIT Academy of Engineering Maharashtra

Best Performing Electrical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation JIS College of Engineering West Bengal

Best Performing Electrical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Dream Institute of Technology West Bengal

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation G. Pullaiah College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Tamil Nadu

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 KIIT University Odisha

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Galgotias University Uttar Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 K L University Andhra Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Mohan Babu University Andhra Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Ramdeobaba University Maharashtra

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Institute of Technology & Management, Gwalior Madhya Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Babulal Tarabai Institute of Research and Technology Madhya Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Gyan Ganga College of Technology Madhya Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 JIS College of Engineering West Bengal

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Kakinada Institute of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh


AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 CVR College of Engineering Telangana

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Srinivas Institute of Technology Karnataka

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Southern Zone) Chennai Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Southern Zone) Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Southern Zone) K.S.R College of Engineering Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Southern Zone) K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) A. P. Shah Institute of Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology & Research Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) P. R. Pote Patil College of Engineering and Management, Amravati Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Mauli Group of Institutions, College of Engineering & Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Prof Ram Meghe College of Engineering & Management Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Amrutvahini College of Engineering Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Rajarambapu Institute of Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) MIT Academy of Engineering Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) S. B. Jain Institute of Technology, Management and Research Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Tatyasaheb Kore Institute of Engineering & Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) BRACT's Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) D.Y. Patil College of Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur Maharashtra

Best Performing Engineering Institute - 2025 (Western Zone) Sipna College of Engineering and Technology Maharashtra

Star Performing College - 2025 (All India) ASN Degree College Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing College - 2025 (North Zone) National Post Graduate College, Lucknow Uttar Pradesh

Best Performing College - 2025 (South - Central Zone) Sri Venkateswara Degree & PG College Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Civil Engineering Dept. in Internship Participation Rajeev Gandhi Memorial College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Civil Engineering Dept. in Internship Participation Mauli Group of Institutions, College of Engineering & Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Civil Engineering Dept. in Internship Participation Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Civil Engineering Dept. in Internship Participation Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Mechnical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation MIT Academy of Engineering Maharashtra

Best Performing Electrical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation JIS College of Engineering West Bengal

Best Performing Electrical Engg. Dept. in Internship Participation Dream Institute of Technology West Bengal

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation G. Pullaiah College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing EEE Dept.in Internship Participation Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Tamil Nadu

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 KIIT University Odisha

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Galgotias University Uttar Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 K L University Andhra Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Mohan Babu University Andhra Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Ramdeobaba University Maharashtra

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Institute of Technology & Management, Gwalior Madhya Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Babulal Tarabai Institute of Research and Technology Madhya Pradesh

AI Skilling Excellence Award – 2025 Gyan Ganga College of Technology Madhya Pradesh


Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain KIIT University Odisha

Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain Chennai Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain Vignana Bharathi Institute of Technology Telangana

Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain SR University Telangana

Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology Telangana

Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain Marri Laxman Reddy Institute of Technology and Management Telangana

Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain Balaji Institute of Technology & Science Telangana

Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain Galgotias University Uttar Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - EduSkills Academy Internship Domain JIS College of Engineering West Bengal

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain Chalapathi Institute of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain Rajeev Gandhi Memorial College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain MIT Academy of Engineering Maharashtra

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain CVR College of Engineering Telangana

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain Mauli Group of Institutions, College of Engineering & Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Institute - Ansys Internship Domain Rajarambapu Institute of Technology Maharashtra

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain Malineni Lakshmaiah Women's Engineering College Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain G. Pullaiah College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain Chalapathi Institute of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain SR University Telangana

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain Kakinada Institute of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain Vignana Bharathi Institute of Technology Telangana

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain Srinivas Institute of Technology Karnataka

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain Chennai Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu

Best Performing Institute - Wadhwani Foundation Internship Domain JIS College of Engineering West Bengal

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 SRK Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Vishnu Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Ravindra College of Engineering for Women Andhra Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education Andhra Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Medi-Caps University Madhya Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Gyan Ganga College of Technology Madhya Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology Maharashtra

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Tatyasaheb Kore Institute of Engineering & Technology Maharashtra

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Sipna College of Engineering and Technology Maharashtra

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 ISL Engineering College Telangana

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Galgotias University Uttar Pradesh

5 Years of Partnership Award - 2025 Dream Institute of Technology West Bengal

Talent Connect Excellence Award - 2025 KIIT University Odisha

Talent Connect Excellence Award - 2025 Mohan Babu University Andhra Pradesh

Talent Connect Excellence Award - 2025 Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology Telangana

Talent Connect Excellence Award - 2025 Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Talent Connect Excellence Award - 2025 G Pullaiah College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Talent Connect Excellence Award - 2025 Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering Andhra Pradesh

Talent Connect Excellence Award - 2025 Rajeev Gandhi Memorial College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh


Individual Awards 2025

Women Leadership Award - 2025 Dr. P. Nandhini Sri Shanmugha College of Engineering and Technology

Women Leadership Award - 2025 Mrunalini Buradkar St. Vincent Pallotti College of Engineering and Technology, Nagpur

Women Leadership Award - 2025 Rashmi Welekar Ramdeobaba University

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Biswajit Majumdar Institute of Technology & Management, Gwalior

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. Veeresh Fuskele Babulal Tarabai Institute of Research and Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. Vimmi Pandey Gyan Ganga College of Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Anshu Kumar KIIT University

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. Soumyabrata Saha JIS College of Engineering

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Sandip Bose Dream Institute of Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 S. Prem Kumar Galgotias University

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Deepati Madhubabu Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous)

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. M. Radhikamani Pragati Engineering College (Autonomous)

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. R. Uma Maheswari Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous)

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. G. Hemanth Kumar Yadav Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Veerendra Subhash Kakinada Institute of Engineering and Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. K. Swetha Malineni Lakshmaiah Women's Engineering College

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. V. Naga Gopi Raj Chalapathi Institute of Engineering and Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. K. Subba Reddy Rajeev Gandhi Memorial College of Engineering and Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 B. Manjulatha Vignana Bharathi Institute of Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. Jameel Hashmi ISL Engineering College

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 G. Sunil Reddy SR University

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. Dheeraj Hebri Srinivas Institute of Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Rashmi Welekar Ramdeobaba University

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Dr. Kiran Deshpande A. P. Shah Institute of Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Anand A. Chaudhari Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology & Research

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Laxmikant Bhattad P. R. Pote Patil College of Engineering and Management, Amravati

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Santosh Mhaske Mauli Group of Institutions, College of Engineering & Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Vaibhav B. Dhotare Rajarambapu Institute of Technology

Best Performing Center of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator- 2025 Himanshu Wagh S. B. Jain Institute of Technology, Management and Research

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 Dr. Shilpa Tripathi Medi-Caps University

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 Dr. Gautam Borkar Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 Nitin Sakhare BRACT's Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 Deepati Madhubabu Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous)

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 Dr. Ch Sita Kumari Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous)

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 Dr. K. Praveen Kumar Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 Dr. M. Radhikamani Pragati Engineering College

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 P V Vara Prasad K L University

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 M. Srilakshmi Vishnu Institute of Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 B. Manjulatha Vignana Bharathi Institute of Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Coordinator / SPOC - 2025 Dr. V. Jayaprakasan Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Educator - 2025 Dr. Vanita Mane Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Educator - 2025 Fayaz Hussain G Ravindra College of Engineering for Women

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Educator - 2025 B Varun Kumar Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Educator - 2025 Dr. Ranjit Reddy Midde Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Educator - 2025 Hanumantha Rao Vignana Bharathi Institute of Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Educator - 2025 Uday Kumar Dosanapudi Vishnu Institute of Technology

5 Years of Service as EduSkills CoE Educator - 2025 Shyamala Madhuri Yerra Vishnu Institute of Technology


Education Excellence Awards 2025

Vice Chancellor Excellence Award - 2025

Dr. Archana Mantri Anurag University, Telangana

Dr. K. Mallikharjuna Babu Galgotias University Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Harsh Sadawarti Desh Bhagat University Punjab

Principal Excellence Award - 2025

Dr. T. Jayachandra Prasad Rajeev Gandhi Memorial College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Dr. V. V. Rama Reddy Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Dr. J. Sudhakar Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Dr. A. Kumaravel K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology Tamil Nadu

Akella Ramakrishna KL University Hyderabad Telangana

Dr. Gajendra R Bamnote Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology & Research Maharashtra

Dr. P. Meenakshi Devi K.S.R College of Engineering Tamil Nadu

Dr. Ajay P. Thakare Prof Ram Meghe College of Engineering & Management Maharashtra

Dr. Dipankar Sarkar Dream Institute of Technology West Bengal

Dr. Veeresh Fuskele Babulal Tarabai Institute of Research and Technology Madhya Pradesh

Director Excellence Award - 2025

Dr. M. Jagapathi Raju Sagi Ramakrishnam Raju Engineering College Andhra Pradesh

Dr. P. Murugesan K.S.R College of Engineering Tamil Nadu

Dr. A. K. Gupta D.Y. Patil College of Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur Maharashtra

Dr. P. V. Kadole Rajarambapu Institute of Technology Maharashtra

Dr. D. Sai Chaitanya Kishore Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Dr. P. Sridhar Marri Laxman Reddy Institute of Technology and Management Telangana

Dr. A. Mohan Babu Narsimha Reddy Engineering College Telangana

Dr. Ashish Malik Axis Institute of Technology & Management Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Honey Sharma Gulzar Group of Institutions Punjab

Dean Excellence Award - 2025

Dr. R. Umamaheswari Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Dr. R. Gopalakrishnan K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology Tamil Nadu

Dr. Deepak Shahakar P. R. Pote Patil College of Engineering and Management, Amravati Maharashtra

Dr. S. Suma Christal Mary Chennai Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu

Dr. T Tirupal G. Pullaiah College of Engineering and Technology Andhra Pradesh

Dr. G. Ramu Narsimha Reddy Engineering College Telangana

Dr. Shubha Jain Axis Institute of Technology & Management Uttar Pradesh

Dr. S. S. Chauhan Institute of Technology & Management, Gwalior Madhya Pradesh

Placement Ofcer Excellence Award - 2025

G. Prakash Babu Lendi Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous) Andhra Pradesh

Dr. K. Swetha Malineni Lakshmaiah Women's Engineering College Andhra Pradesh

Rajkumar S K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology Tamil Nadu

Dr. Nikkoo Khalsa Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology & Research Maharashtra

A. Ravi K.S.R College of Engineering Tamil Nadu

Laxmikant Sanjay Bhattad P. R. Pote, Patil College of Engineering and Management, Amravati Maharashtra

Dr. Shashikant G. Thorat Prof Ram Meghe College of Engineering & Management Maharashtra

Dr. P L Madhava Rao Kallam Haranadhareddy Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh

Dr. Shalini Lamba National Post Graduate College, Lucknow Uttar Pradesh


D U C AT I O N

XCELLENCE

AWA R D S An Initiative of EduSkills

Honoring Visionary Academic Leaders

Driving Transformative Education

Dr. Harsh Sadawarti l Vice Chancellor l Desh Bhagat University

Dr. P. Murugesan l Director l K.S.R College of Engineering

Dr. K. Mallikharjuna Babu l Vice Chancellor l Galgotias University

Dr. V. V. Rama Reddy l Principal l Lendi Institute of Engineering

& Technology (Autonomous)

Dr. Ashish Malik l Director l Axis Institute of Technology

& Management

Dr. T. Jayachandra Prasad l Principal l Rajeev Gandhi Memorial

College of Engineering and Technology

Dr. Gajendra R Bamnote l Principal l Prof. Ram Meghe Institute

of Technology & Research

Dr. Deepak Shahakar l Dean l P. R. Pote Patil College of Engineering

and Management, Amravati

Akella Ramakrishna l Principal l KL University Hyderabad

Dr. Ajay P. Thakare l Principal l Prof Ram Meghe College of

Engineering & Management

Dr. Nikkoo Khalsa l Placement Ofcer l Prof. Ram Meghe Institute

of Technology & Research

Dr. P. Meenakshi Devi l Principal l K.S.R College of Engineering

Dr. M. Jagapathi Raju l Director l Sagi Ramakrishnam Raju

Engineering College

Dr. Shashikant G. Thorat l Placement Ofcer l Prof Ram Meghe

College of Engineering & Management

Dr. Veeresh Fuskele l Principal l Babulal Tarabai Institute

of Research and Technology

Dr. Honey Sharma l Director l Gulzar Group of Institutions

G. Prakash Babu l Placement Ofcer l Lendi Institute of Engineering

& Technology (Autonomous)

Dr. A. K. Gupta l Director l D.Y. Patil College of Engineering

and Technology, Kolhapur

Laxmikant Sanjay Bhattad l Placement Ofcer l P. R. Pote Patil

College of Engineering and Management, Amravati

Dr. P L Madhava Rao l Placement Ofcer l Kallam Haranadhareddy

Institute of Technology


2 0 2 5

EXCELLENCE

A W A R D S

An Initiative of EduSkills

2nd Edition | 19 Sep 2025 | Shimla | Winner List

Recognizing India’s Most Inspiring HR Innovators

Changemakers and People Leaders

Strategic HR Business Partner Award 2025

Ajay Tanwar

BU Head HR & EHS, MAT Holdings

Emerging HR Star Award 2025

Debi Prasad Satapathy

Senior Human Resources Manager , Nippon Express (India)

Visionary CHRO AwardAward 2025

Deepak Bansal

Global Talent Acquisition Head, Royal Cyber

HR Tech Innovator Award 2025

Mohd Tabrez Khan

Head HR & HRSS , MB Informatics

Campus Hiring Leader of the Year Award 2025

Sandeep Singh Sasan

Operations HR - India & International , DRAIPL

HR Leader of the Year Award 2025

Sangita Srivastava

Senior Director Human Resources , AgreeYa Solutions

Emerging HR Star Award 2025

Claudius Joseph Edberg DSA

Senior Manager , Sekhmet Pharmaventures

Talent Acquisition Leader of the Year

Ashish Tanwar

Head of University Hiring (India & APJ) , Zscaler

Inspring Women HR Leader of the Year


Head of People & Culture, APAC, Zywave


Education Leaders Insights 2025

Voices | Vision | Victory of Transformative Education

EduSkills Publications proudly presents the 1st Edition of Education Leaders Insights — a national

initiative celebrating the change-makers shaping the future of learning in India.

This annual compendium brings together the inspiring stories, bold ideas, and visionary leadership

of education founders, academic leaders, and policymakers driving transformation in the higher

education ecosystem.




Media Spotlight

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AICTE

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Title Partner

Presenting Partner

Gold Partner

Associate Partner

Knowledge Partner

Institution Partners

Corp. Office: Block 11-Kaveri, Sector-D, Pocket-6

Near AICTE, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070

Head Office: #806, DLF Cyber City, Techno Park,

Bhubaneswar-751024, Odisha

connect@eduskillsfoundation.org

https://connect.eduskillsfoundation.org/

/eduskillsfoundation

EduSkills Conclave Report 2025

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