Kolkata, October 30, 2025: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has called for a powerful partnership between industry and academia to accelerate the implementation of India’s landmark National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The call came from Dr. Buddha Chandrasekhar, Chief Coordinating Officer of AICTE, during the CII Education East Summit 2025 held in Kolkata.
Dr. Chandrasekhar highlighted that while NEP 2020 is a visionary roadmap to create a multidisciplinary and globally competitive education ecosystem, its true success hinges on collaboration across institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers. He praised the CII Eastern Region’s launch of the “Industry–Academia Yatra,” a groundbreaking initiative aimed at connecting industrial clusters with educational institutions to create stronger pathways for internships, skill development, and future careers.
“Our education system must evolve from individual competition to teamwork and innovation. We must encourage students to become creators and problem-solvers who drive India’s growth story,” said Dr. Chandrasekhar, emphasizing the need to foster risk-taking, experiential learning, and entrepreneurial thinking that will prepare youth for India’s journey toward becoming a ‘Vishwa Guru’ once again.
Adding his voice, Mr. Madan Mohanka, Executive Chairman of Tega Industries Limited, underscored that entrepreneurship—not employment alone—will define India’s rise to developed-nation status by 2047. With over 60% of India’s population under 35, he stressed the need to channel youth creativity through innovation-driven education, transforming rote learning into hands-on, future-ready learning. He also advocated for greater inclusion of women and stronger support for MSMEs, which already contribute 35% to India’s GDP.
Reaffirming CII’s mission, Mr. Ujjal Chakraborti, Chairman, CII Eastern Region Education & Skill Development Subcommittee, and Executive In-Charge, Tinplate Division, Tata Steel Limited, said:
“The future of industry is being shaped in our classrooms today. Aligning education with emerging technologies, research, and employability is crucial to realising India’s developed nation dream.”
Concluding the summit, Prof (Dr) Samit Ray, Co-Chairman of the Subcommittee and Founder & Chancellor, Adamas University, described India’s higher education sector as being on the cusp of transformation, driven by creativity, agility, and innovation. He envisioned the Eastern Region as a potential model for regional collaboration and national educational progress.
✨ With a shared vision of innovation, inclusivity, and industry collaboration, AICTE and CII’s efforts promise to make NEP 2020 not just a policy—but a powerful movement reshaping India’s educational future.
