ObserveNow Media successfully concluded the 9th Edition of the Education Leaders Conclave & Awards in New Delhi on 21st February 2025. Presented by CASIO and co-powered by LEO1, this premier event for higher education leaders in Northern India delivered a transformative experience. Bringing together visionary educators, policymakers, and industry leaders, the conclave focused on the theme “Empowering Future Minds: Innovations in Higher Education.” It explored advancements, innovative practices, and transformative methodologies to redefine teaching, learning, and knowledge engagement. The event saw the participation of over 200 industry leaders, 50+ speakers, 10+ government leaders, 30+ partners, and 50+ award categories.

The conclave’s success was made possible by the contributions of its esteemed partners, including CASIO as the Presenting Partner and LEO1 as the Co-powered Partner. Other key partners included Wadhwani Foundation as the Knowledge Partner, Adobe as the Digital Creativity Partner, Canon as the Printing & Digitization Partner, and PW Skills as the Skilling Partner. Dassault Systèmes served as the Technology Partner, Coursera for Campus as the Associate Partner, alongside supporting organizations such as Cantilever Labs, Epson, Linux World, Upgrad, Flashaid, SPECTRA, University of Technology Jaipur, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Badruka School of Management, Codetantra, Consortium Gifts, Shankar IAS Academy, and UEM. Pleasin Strides also played a crucial role as the CSR Partner.

Taniya Tikoo, Editor-in-Chief & Co-founder, ObserveNow Media, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the evolving landscape of higher education in India and globally. She emphasized the significance of the recent budget allocation, which marked the largest-ever investment in the education sector. “Education is the foundation of progress, and it is imperative that we keep innovating to meet the needs of future generations,” she stated.

Jeet Sharma, CEO & Co-founder, ObserveNow Media, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to the education sector, stating, “At ObserveNow, we see it as our responsibility to champion the cause of education, ensuring that the legacy built by Indian educators continues to thrive.”

The Chief Guest for the day, Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, Ministry of Education, Government of India, delivered an insightful address on the importance of skill development and digital transformation in higher education. He highlighted AICTE’s commitment to revolutionizing education through digital initiatives, including the recent introduction of an online regulatory approval system for institutions. “The AICTE Career Portal is another step in our mission to bridge the employability gap, ensuring students have access to career opportunities that align with their skills,” he stated.

The first panel discussion, themed “Evaluating the Impact of Technology Integration in Teaching and Learning,” was moderated by Taniya Tikoo. She emphasized how digital tools and AI-driven solutions are reshaping education. Maj. Gen. BD Wadhwa, Pro Chancellor, IILM University, remarked, “Technology is no longer a supplementary tool; it is an essential element of modern education.” Prof. Prem Vrat, Pro-Chancellor, The Northcap University, stated, “Blended learning is the future, combining the best of traditional and digital methods.” Prof. Raghuvir Singh, Vice Chancellor, K. R. Mangalam University, noted, “The right technological interventions can create personalized learning experiences for students.” Other distinguished speakers also shared their insights on the transformative role of digital advancements in education.

Dr. Chandrasekhar Buddha, CEO, Anuvadini AI, Ministry of Education & COO, AICTE, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the need for higher education institutions to embrace AI-driven solutions for curriculum development and student engagement. “AI is not here to replace educators but to enhance their ability to deliver personalized and effective learning experiences,” he stated.

The second panel discussion focused on the “Digital Future of Sustainable Finance in Higher Education – Education Credits” and was moderated by Debi Prasad Baral, Co-Founder & CTO, LEO1. He emphasized the role of fintech solutions in making education more accessible. Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Singh Rathore, Vice Chancellor, Shyam University, stated, “Education financing must evolve to support a growing and diverse student base.” Dr. Amit Saxena, CEO Education, Sparsh Group, noted, “Microfinance and digital payment solutions can make quality education affordable for all.” Other panelists echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of financial inclusivity in education.

The third panel discussion, “Enhancing Industry-Academia Collaboration in Higher Education,” was moderated by Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Dhawan, Director General, IMS Noida. Dr. Jaywant V. Shelar, Vice Chancellor, ITM Skills University, stated, “The synergy between academia and industry is the key to producing job-ready graduates.” Dr. Pramod Kumar Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Sanskaram University, highlighted, “Internship-driven curriculums can bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application.” The discussion underscored the importance of partnerships in aligning educational curricula with industry needs.

The fourth and final panel, “The Power of Tools in Education: Enhancing Learning through Technology,” was moderated by Saurabh Kumar, Manager, Casio India. Dr. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor, Maharishi University of Information Technology, stated, “EdTech tools should be leveraged to create an immersive and interactive learning environment.” Prof. (Dr.) Ankit Gandhi, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Technology, Jaipur, emphasized, “Gamification and AI-based assessments can significantly enhance student engagement and performance.” The discussion highlighted the transformative potential of educational tools in shaping future learning methodologies.

The conclave concluded with a grand awards ceremony, honoring institutions and individuals making remarkable contributions to the education landscape.

Notable awardees included:

• Maj. Gen. BD Wadhwa, Pro Chancellor, IILM University, Gr. Noida – Iconic Leadership in Higher Education 2025
• Dr. P.K. Gupta, Vice Chancellor, Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth – Outstanding Vice Chancellor of the Year 2025
• Dr. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor, Maharishi University of Information Technology, Lucknow – Academician Excellence Award for the Year 2025
• Mr. Manu Bhaskar Gaur, CEO, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, Uttar Pradesh – Entrepreneurship Award in Higher Education 2025
• Ankit Gandhi, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Technology, Jaipur – Iconic Leadership in Higher Education 2025
• Prof. Diwakar Bhardwaj, Pro Vice Chancellor, GLA University (Gr. Noida), Uttar Pradesh – Outstanding Teaching Excellence Award 2025
• Dr. Jones Mathew, Principal & HOD, Great Lakes Institute – Outstanding Contribution to Management Education Award 2025
• Dr. Rajiv Gupta, Director Marketing & Admissions, Sharda University – Most Innovative Marketing Strategy Leader 2025
• Prof. (Dr.) Pradeep V. Jadhav, Principal, Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering for Women, Pune – Excellence in Student Outreach Engagement & Digital Innovation 2025
• Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Mishra, Dean, School of Hospitality & Tourism, Galgotias University – Emerging Leader in Higher Education 2025
• Dr. Mritunjay Kumar, Assistant Professor, Flame University – Outstanding Research Scholar of the Year 2025
• Vaishnavi Mahurkar, Research Scholar, Flame University – Excellence in Research and Innovation 2025

• University of Technology, Jaipur – Most Promising University in India
• Badruka School of Management – Most Promising University in Curriculum Design & Development 2025
• UEM University, Jaipur – IEM – UEM Group – Most Promising University in R&D (Research & Development) 2025
• Chandigarh Business School of Administration – The Most Promising B-School of the Year
• FLAME University, Pune – Outstanding University with Excellent Infrastructure and Green Campus Initiative 2025
• CGC College of Engineering – Most Promising Engineering Institute in India
• SDGI Global University, Ghaziabad – Outstanding University in Innovative Teaching & Learning Practices 2025
• Shiv Nadar University – Most Promising University in STEM Education 2025
• Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Haryana – Top Emerging Institute Award 2025
• Sanskaram University – Innovation in Higher Education & Skills Enhancement 2025
• Sharda University – Excellence in Technology Adoption
• Sparsh Group – Innovative Practices for Academic Excellence in Higher Education 2025

• Casio India – Outstanding Tech Solution Provider for Higher Education 2025
• WADHWANI IGNITE – Outstanding Entrepreneurship Education Platform of the Year 2025
• LEO1 – Leading Innovator in Education Loyalty Rewards
• LinuxWorld Informatics – Outstanding Innovation in AI-ML & Leading UpSkilling Provider 2025
• Casio India – Outstanding Tech Solution Provider for International Schools 2025
• upGrad – Most Innovative EdTech of the Year 2025
• PW Skills – Leading Skill Education Platform 2025
• Shankar IAS Academy – Leading Coaching Provider for Competitive Examinations

The 9th Edition of the Education Leaders Conclave & Awards successfully brought together thought leaders, educators, and industry experts to discuss, deliberate, and drive innovation in higher education. With its insightful discussions and impactful networking opportunities, the conclave set the stage for the future of learning in India. ObserveNow Media extends its gratitude to all partners, speakers, and participants who made this event a grand success.