In an era where educational institutions are racing to expand across cities and countries, Nirvaan Birla, Managing Director of Birla Open Minds, shared a powerful perspective on the art of growing without losing one’s essence.
Speaking at the TAISI Conference 2025 in Goa, Birla addressed the theme “The Multiplication Challenge: Scaling with Soul,” emphasizing that the success of educational expansion lies not in numbers, but in the ability to replicate a school’s spirit and ethos across every new chapter.
“Expansion should never come at the cost of identity,” he remarked. “Every new school added to a network should feel like an extension of the same heartbeat, where the mission, values, and spirit remain constant even as the form evolves.”
He explained that for Birla Open Minds, scaling responsibly means aligning people, pedagogy, and purpose. The institution focuses on strengthening leadership pipelines, embedding continuous teacher development programs, and leveraging technology to ensure academic excellence and cultural consistency.
Birla also highlighted how innovation and empathy can coexist in growth journeys. By investing in mentorship models, empowering local school heads, and nurturing communities of practice across campuses, schools can retain their core identity while adapting to regional nuances.
He concluded with an insightful takeaway that moved beyond reflection to action:
“The solution lies in building frameworks that let schools grow like living organisms, rooted in shared values, nourished by collaboration, and evolving with purpose. That’s how we scale with soul.”
