Kolkata, 19th March 2025: The AIU East Zone Vice Chancellors Meet 2024-2025 commenced with JIS University as the host university, bringing together distinguished academic leaders and vice chancellors across Eastern India. The prestigious event was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, in the esteemed presence of Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak, President, AIU; Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice President, AIU; Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, AIU; Prof. Partha Pratim Chakrabarti, Former Director, IIT Kharagpur; Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director, JIS Group; Sardar Simarpreet Singh, Director, JIS Group; and Dr. Bhabes Bhattacharya, Vice Chancellor, JIS University. The two-day conference has convened Vice Chancellors from over 100 universities to deliberate on the evolving landscape of higher education under the theme “Equity, Diversity & Sustainability.”

The inaugural day set the stage for insightful discussions, beginning with the inauguration of Posters on Best Practices, EduTech and a Book Exhibition by the Chief Guest. This was followed by a session on Innovation, Skilling, Ranking and Assessment, which delved into transformative approaches shaping contemporary education. The day also featured thought-provoking technical sessions, including “Incorporating IKS in Curriculum and Pedagogy” and “Catering to Equity and Diversity on Campuses,” addressing the pressing need for holistic and inclusive academic frameworks. Additionally, an engaging session on INIHE & EdTech Companies explored the growing influence of educational technology in redefining learning methodologies.

On this special occasion, it was announced that the Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal has decided to confer the Governor’s Award of Excellence on the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). This award is being presented to AIU in recognition of its outstanding contributions to higher education, academic leadership and institutional excellence. The Governor’s Award of Excellence will be presented at a future event and will include a citation, a trophy symbolising the highest standards of academic achievement and innovation, along with a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakhs. This award reflects our commitment to strengthening higher education and honouring those who play a pivotal role in advancing knowledge, research and academic collaboration.

Building on the momentum of the inaugural day, the second day of the conference will feature crucial deliberations, including the Technical Session on “Creating Green and Sustainable Campuses,” the AIU Business Session, and the much-anticipated Valedictory Session. These discussions will further underscore the importance of sustainable campus development and strategic institutional governance in the future of higher education.

With its dynamic sessions and the presence of distinguished academicians, the AIU East Zone Vice Chancellors Meet 2024-2025 at JIS University continues to serve as an essential platform for garnering academic excellence and institutional growth.

H.E. Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, said, “Nelson Mandela once called education ‘the most powerful weapon’ for changing the world. In India, where classrooms shape the nation’s destiny, the challenge isn’t just excellence—it’s relevance. A vice chancellor’s constitutional duty is to push for higher achievement. The new generation is ready. India is strong. Give them the order and they’ll scale the fortress of knowledge. The world runs on knowledge, and Indian universities are producing the talent that fuels it. Yet, education without impact is an exercise in futility. ‘If the student hasn’t learned, the teacher hasn’t taught,’ goes the old adage. India’s youth are thriving in AI and IT, proving their teachers have delivered. Three cheers to the educators shaping India’s ascent. Education is what remains after classroom lessons are forgotten. India’s first education reform report, led by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, warned that the system was ‘thrice removed from reality.’ Decades later, the disconnect between education and employment remains stark. Enlightenment without economic utility is just theory. India’s latest education policy aims to fix that, shifting from a Eurocentric framework to one rooted in indigenous knowledge. This isn’t about replacing science with superstition—it’s about practical skills over outdated rote learning. The real test is whether education fosters leadership, sharpens decision-making and trains individuals to distinguish perception from reality. Education should equip individuals to discern between perception and reality. India’s education reforms are a step toward bridging this gap.”

Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak, President, AIU, said, “This conference on Equity, Diversity and Sustainability is vital but India has long upheld these values in its Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads. Rather than importing Western models, we must revive our indigenous approaches. India competes globally in education with NEP, young talent, and ample resources fueling transformation. However, South Asia is progressing rapidly—China contributes 28% of global production, while India lags at 1.5%. Our universities must shift from projects to products and paper-based research to transnational, product-driven innovation—a goal achievable through hard work and strategic innovation.”

Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice President, AIU, said, “West Bengal has long been a hub of higher education, from establishing India’s first public university to the rise of private institutions like JIS, the host of this prestigious conference. Education extends beyond knowledge—it enhances life and societal progress. The National Education Policy (NEP) advocates transforming STEM into STEAM by integrating Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences into technical education, shift Indian universities are well-positioned to lead. Vice Chancellors play a pivotal role in driving innovation, unrestrained by regulations that serve as guidelines for progress. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the NEP and the upcoming Deregulation Commission will further liberalize and strengthen higher education. With India witnessing a reverse brain drain, universities must capitalize on this by recruiting top talent from premier institutions like IITs and IISERs, fostering a world-class academic ecosystem.”

Speaking on this occasion, Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director, JIS Group, said, “The AIU East Zone Vice Chancellors Meet is more than just a conference; it is a call to action for academic leaders to reimagine higher education. As we navigate the challenges of equity, diversity, and sustainability, our commitment must be to create institutions that empower every learner while developing responsible innovation and global academic collaboration.”