Goa: The first day of the ETEducation Chancellors’ Conclave 2026 concluded with a strong call for Indian universities to rethink traditional models of higher education. The conclave brought together academic leaders and industry experts to discuss how universities can keep pace with changing demands in education, from updating curricula and improving employability to strengthening research and innovation.
Dr Chenraj Roychand, Chancellor of JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) and Founder-Chairman of JAIN Group, said that universities should aim to go beyond the awarding of degrees and concentrate on developing skills which enable students to cope with real-life situations. He also warned that those institutions which continue to rely on traditional methods of classroom teaching and examinations are likely to fail in holding the interest of future generations of students.
Echoing this shift, Navisha Prabhakar, Regional Head Education-South & West, Google Cloud, highlighted the need to move beyond placement readiness towards lifelong employability. The discussion underscored the importance of continuous learning and equipping graduates with skills that remain relevant as technology evolve.
Dr H. Purushotham, Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Government of Andhra Pradesh, urged for greater investment in research, more collaboration between industry and academia in order to enhance India’s global competitiveness. Purushotham identified five priorities that universities must adopt to achieve long-term relevance.
During the Centre Stage Discussion, themed as “The University at a Turning Point: India’s Next Leap in Policy, Innovation & AI,” the discussion focused on curriculum redesign, assessment reforms and the integration of artificial intelligence. The discussion brought together Dr Bhadra Reddy, Chairman, Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth; Vinita Rohera, Vice President & Managing Trustee, Gandhinagar University; Vikram Shah, Chief Business Officer, Meritto; and Rohit Kumar, Co-Founder & President, India Campus Business, MSM Unify. The panel stressed that universities must prioritise adaptability, personalised learning and career readiness over size and traditional degree structures.Speaking during the Mega Panel, “India@2047: What Must Happen for India to Become the World’s Education Capital?”, academic and industry leaders examined the structural reforms required to make Indian higher education globally competitive. Building globally competitive institutions, supporting innovation and translating research into real-world outcomes emerged as important priorities.
The discussions collectively highlighted a broader shift in higher education: universities must combine academic excellence with technological readiness, employability and research-led growth to remain globally competitive and contribute to India’s emergence as a knowledge economy.
