In a powerful testament to academic collaboration and innovation, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala, hosted the ‘Educators for Excellence’ (E4E), Patiala Chapter. This visionary event brought together a distinguished gathering of school counsellors, academic leaders, education experts, and institutional representatives from UAE and Nepal to initiate a dialogue on shaping a transformative and multidisciplinary future of learning.
As we share this message with our esteemed acquaintances, collaborators, and thought leaders, we reaffirm our shared mission: to create a generation that fosters collective growth, peace, and innovation across society and the environment.
The day-long event opened with a Welcome Note, followed by an address by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof Ajay Batish, giving an insightful presentation on TIET’s evolution as a hub for innovation-driven higher education and integration with cutting-edge technology. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Padmakumar Nair’s address emphasised the need for institutions to move beyond conventional frameworks and actively engage with individuals and society at large with empathy.
Global Academic Leadership Perspectives
The keynote session by Mr. Srivalsan Murugan, Principal & CEO, GEMS Our Own English Boys High School, Sharjah (UAE), spotlighted the vital role of school counsellors and their power in shaping student potential across borders. He emphasized emotional intelligence, global citizenship, and the indispensable role of collaboration between K-12 and higher education.
Prof. Maninder Singh, Head of CSE at TIET, introduced the institute’s commitment to becoming an AI-literate university, sharing a visionary roadmap for faculty training, AI-powered classrooms, and curriculum transformation.
Fostering Intellectual Dialogue through Panels
The event featured two powerful panel discussions:
- Panel 1: “If AI Never Came: What Should We Have Changed Anyway?” featuring voices like Ms. Nivedita Anand, Dr. Kavitha, Ms. Sudha Srivalsan, Mr. David Ipe, Ms. Beena Raju, Mr. Narad Kumar Rijal, and Ms. Charlotte, reflected on enduring pedagogical values and necessary reforms in the education system beyond digital trends.
- Panel 2: “Student Experience”, with experts including Dr. Meenakshi Rana, Dr. Sonam Dullat, Mr. Anil Nair, Ms. Annie Prassana, Ms. Shahrina, Mr. Vikram, Ms. Bhavna Dhanak, and Dr. Sruti Sharma, explored themes of inclusivity, student wellbeing, and support systems that enrich a learner’s academic journey.
A Forum for Shared Growth and Vision
‘Educators for Excellence’ is a one-of-a-kind initiative that envisions a unified platform where education leaders, school counsellors, and institutions come together to deliberate on the core of a futuristic academic narrative. The event encourages reflection on sustainability, innovation, intellectual humility, and excellence-seeking at every level of the learning ecosystem. The forum aims to cultivate a vibrant network where ideas are exchanged, challenges are confronted, and new pathways are envisioned together.
As part of their enriching visit to India, the delegation arrived on July 8 at LM Thapar School of Management (LMTSM), Derabassi Campus—an AACSB-accredited business school under the prestigious Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (TIET). Renowned for its distinctive in-practice courses and its mission to develop globally-sensitive, excellence-seeking management professionals with a social-entrepreneurial mindset, LMTSM offered the visitors a close look at its interdisciplinary approach and forward-thinking contributions to management education. Further deepening their engagement with the region, the delegates visited Gurdwara Shri Dukhniwaran Sahib in Patiala on July 9, experiencing firsthand the spiritual and cultural fabric of Punjab. Their journey culminated in Amritsar on July 10, where they explored the Golden Temple and the city’s rich historical milieu.
This thoughtfully curated itinerary reflects TIET’s dedication not only to academic excellence but also to providing immersive experiences that celebrate India’s vibrant cultural diversity and warm hospitality
