KOLKATA: The education ecosystem will need to evolve in step with changing skill requirements and the future of work to equip learners with the capabilities needed for the next decade was deliberated by the education leaders, academicians, industry stakeholders and policymakers at the 10th Edition of The Edu Meet 2026 – Future of Education & Skilling – Vision 2030”, organized by ASSOCHAM in line with the State agenda of Viksit Bengal for Viksit Bharat@2047.
The event brought together key stakeholders from across the education ecosystem, comprising school education, higher education, skilling and allied sectors to deliberate on the future of education and skilling, strengthening the relevance of learning, enhancing employability and preparing students to navigate a rapidly changing world.
Speaking on the India-Australia education partnership, H.E. Bernard Lynch, Hon’ble Consul General, Australian Consulate General in Kolkata, said, “Australia is in this for the long haul. Education and skilling are an absolute pillar of a very dynamic and growing relationship between our two countries. India continues to be the second largest source of international students into Australia, but the relationship goes far beyond that, spanning world class universities, cutting edge research and robust vocational education programmes. As India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047, the scope for greater collaboration is unfathomably large. Australia already has nine overseas branch campuses in India, and that number is set to grow, alongside new initiatives such as a Centre of Excellence in Mining Equipment and solar training programmes, all of which will enrich the education and skills landscape of India.”
Highlighting the changing nature of knowledge and skills, Prof. Dr. Satyajit Chakrabarti, Director, Institute of Engineering & Management, said, “There is now a commoditisation of knowledge. Knowledge is free and everywhere, and AI has accelerated that by hundreds of thousands of times. The problem no longer lies in access to knowledge, but in developing basic human capabilities such as creative thinking, innovative solutions, a can-do attitude, entrepreneurship and collaboration. At our institution, the mantra is quality, whether in accreditation, sustainability or discipline, and we believe strongly in developing indigenous technologies rather than depending entirely on global platforms. Ultimately, our policy of supporting and mentoring students from their very first year has helped many go on to build successful start ups.”
Manoj Joshi, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Higher Education Council – East, said, “Higher education in India can no longer rely on rote memorisation and theory-heavy curricula. That model has run its course. The true currency of the future is applied competence, not just theoretical knowledge, and a degree must be proof of capability, not merely a certificate of attendance. Industry must move beyond being passive recruiters and become co-educators from day one, opening up their R&D centres to build practical, credit-bearing modules with our universities. When we equip our youth with real-world mastery, we nurture confident innovators and leaders who will drive India’s global ambitions.”
Emphasising the need to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, Sagar Agarwal, Chairman, ASSOCHAM School Education Council East, said, “As we look towards Vision 2030, our responsibility cannot simply be to prepare children for a particular job, but to prepare them for change itself. We must nurture curiosity, creativity and resilience, while ensuring that students develop into confident learners, independent thinkers and responsible citizens. Technology and AI will create extraordinary opportunities for personalised and engaging learning, but we must ensure that the human connection between teachers and students remains at the heart of education.”
The event also marked the release of the ASSOCHAM-PwC Knowledge Report, “Unlocking the next leap in education,” providing insights into the evolving education landscape and the priorities required to strengthen the sector’s preparedness for the future. The report was released by the dignitaries during the inaugural programme.
On the need to make education more responsive to technological change, Prof. Dilip Shah, Rector & Dean of Student Affairs, The Bhawanipur Education Society College, said, “We need to teach our students to ask questions. So far, we haven’t done enough of that. As educators, we must think about excellence alongside inclusivity, so that no one is left behind. Technology is moving too fast for long-format courses; by the time a student graduates, that technology may already be redundant, which is why short-term, industry-linked course2s matter. Our role is not to hold students back, but to give them the environment in which they can fly. We are meant to be the wings, the sunshine and the nourishment, not the syllabus.”
The programme also featured the ASSOCHAM Excellence Awards, recognising contributions and achievements across the education ecosystem.
The deliberations at The Edu Meet 2026 reaffirmed the importance of building an education and skilling ecosystem that remains responsive to changing industry requirements, supports employability and innovation, and equips learners with the knowledge, skills and adaptability required to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
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