Education Conclave 5.0

“A melting pot for thought leaders.”

The Bhawanipur Education Society College organized the Education Conclave 2024 in collaboration with The Institute of Company Secretaries of India on November 29th and 30th, 2024. The conference focused on the evolving landscape of education in India, with the main focus being the National Education Policy 2020. The event was inaugurated with a lamp-lighting ceremony by Dr. Subhabrata Gangopadhyay, Dr Suman Mukerjee, Prof. Dilip Shah, Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi, CS Mohit Shaw, and Dr Rupanjana De. Dr. Suman Mukerjee addressed concerns about the increasing prevalence of Artificial Intelligence and the need for the inclusion of tools like ChatGPT in the curriculum. Prof. Dilip Shah emphasized the importance of listening, viewing, and ethical issues in the education system. CS Dr Mohit Shaw discussed the evolving nature of the education sector and the role of educators in addressing these issues.

DAY 1

Session 1 focused on the critical evaluation of the National Education Policy 2020, with speakers expressing dissatisfaction with the focus on global trends and the increasing reliance on online learning. Dr G Balasubramanium questioned the need for students to study multiple subjects in one school, while Dr Shafali Nagpal highlighted the need for a shift in education policies to focus on Indian needs and values. Dr. P. K Mohanty emphasized the importance of AI in education and suggested that faculty should design curriculums based on students’ needs and make courses industry-relevant. The second session addressed changing attitudes towards students, with Shri Jai Shankar Gopalan expressing his grief over the athletic situation in India. Prof. Shabina Omar emphasized the importance of empathy, communication skills, and inclusivity in education. CA Amar Agarwala emphasized the need to include morality and ethical subjects in the curriculum and emphasized the importance of identifying talent. In Session 3, the Indian Higher Education System discussed best practices for bridging the gap between traditional and modernity, integrating cutting-edge technology, and setting benchmarks. Key takeaways included imagining a classroom beyond one, not making the syllabus the living god, and not equating success to someone’s learning pace. The role of heads of institutions in the gig economy era was also discussed, with focus on competency-based education, blended and hybrid learning, industry engagement, and social and experiential learning. The speakers emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity, the role of teachers, and the need for change champions. They also discussed the dynamic nature of teaching, research, and outreach activities, capacity-building exercises, and long-term goals. Finally, they explored community service learning, which combines community service with academic instruction.

DAY 2

In the first session, CA Prof. Vivek Patwari discussed the importance of skills and the need for deliberate effort in skill enhancement. Dr Suparna Dhar provided an overview of the discussion, focusing on interactive classrooms, the definition of skills, inclusivity, and the importance of inclusivity, ingenuity, and integrity in education. KPMG India’s Associate Director, Mr Sachin Sharma, discussed the importance of problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills for employers. The session also touched on the use of generative AI tools like Synthesia and the need for students and teachers to stay updated with technological changes. CA Gopal Sharma, Chief Financial Officer at NASSCOM, emphasized the importance of language in understanding technology and the strategic inflection point of AI. CA Vikash Gangwal, Head of Oracle at Tata Consultancy Services of BFSI ESU, introduced the concept of microlearning and the Pomodoro technique for effective training. The session concluded with a call for continuous learning and evaluation, emphasizing the importance of gamified training for associates during recruitment.

During the 1st session, Prof. Dilip Shah emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary knowledge in education and the need for collaboration between institutions. He highlighted the need for students to be exposed to the Indian knowledge system and the need for more internships and focused learning. Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Pandey emphasized the need for depth and breadth in multidisciplinary education, while Dr. Ajay Pathak discussed the decline in students’ interest in quick learning and the need for a more flexible curriculum. Prof. Minkashi highlighted the need for a holistic approach to education and the need for value-added courses.

In the 2nd session; David Potter, a management coach from Falmouth University, USA discussed online and offline micro-internships, which help students develop employability skills and prepare them for the workplace. Mr Kim from James Cook University, Singapore, provided students with scholarships and remote internships, promoting cross-departmental interaction and fostering resilience in the workplace. Dr. Jahirul Haque, VC of the Canadian University of Bangladesh, highlighted courses that are aligned with sustainable development and foster ethics in students.

VOTE OF THANKS –

Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi expressed her gratitude for the successful closure of the Education Conclave, which began two months ago. She thanked the ICSI team, students, and the Bhawanipur Education Society College for their contributions. Prof. Chaturvedi ensured that problems that came along the way were solved and hoped that guests had a smooth experience. The Bhawanipur Education Society College looks forward to future events and pledges to keep the passion for knowledge alive for years to come. She hopes that students will contribute to the legacy of the Conclave.