About the Conclave

Kerala’s educational achievements have created a strong foundation for social progress. The challenge now is to build on this legacy by ensuring that higher education fulfils its promise. Academic qualifications must open pathways to meaningful work and equip learners to apply their knowledge in a rapidly changing world. Bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world outcomes is central to preparing Kerala for the future. As technology transforms the world of work, higher education must evolve with it. Artificial intelligence, digital learning and the National Education Policy 2020 bring new possibilities for reform, while changing demographics and the need for stronger governance, academic autonomy and research, call for renewed attention to institutional priorities. The task is to make education more responsive to learners’ aspirations and the needs of a changing society. In a distinctive participatory initiative, students and faculty members from esteemed colleges across Kerala have been invited to engage in the deliberations, bringing institutional experiences, evidence-based perspectives and the voices of the academic community into the policy dialogue. This conclave brings together those closest to these realities: students, teachers, researchers, institutional leaders, and policymakers. Through dialogue informed by lived experience and evidence, it seeks to explore how higher education can bridge the divide between academic achievement and meaningful opportunity. At its heart lies a larger vision: to reimagine education as a catalyst for a future-ready Kerala, where knowledge translates into capability, learning creates opportunity, and higher education empowers a generation to shape the world ahead.

In a distinctive participatory initiative, students and faculty members from ten selected esteemed colleges across Kerala have been invited to engage in the deliberations, bringing institutional experiences, evidence-based perspectives and the voices of the academic community into the policy dialogue. This conclave brings together those closest to these realities: students, teachers, researchers, institutional leaders, and policymakers. Through dialogue informed by lived experience and evidence, it seeks to explore how higher education can bridge the divide between academic achievement and meaningful opportunity. At its heart lies a larger vision: to reimagine education as a catalyst for a future-ready Kerala, where knowledge translates into capability, learning creates opportunity, and higher education empowers a generation to shape the world ahead.

Sub-Themes

1. Current Scenario of Education in Kerala: Evidence and Outcomes Enrolment, learning outcomes, graduate employability and migration across school, higher and skills education; data gaps and shared indicators.

2. Teaching, Learning and Teacher Capability: Foundational literacy and numeracy; learning outcomes in schools and colleges; teacher training and technology-enabled instruction; scaling reforms that work through partnerships.

3. AI, Curriculum and Research in Higher Education: Artificial intelligence in teaching, assessment and research; interdisciplinary and four-year programmes; research ecosystems and industry links.

4. Governance, Autonomy and Accountability: Strategic planning for institutions; autonomy balanced with public accountability; leadership selection, board oversight and performance indicators.

5. Skills, Employability and Industry Linkages: Closing the gap between qualifications and employment; internships and apprenticeships; vocational and skills education; industry partnerships.

6. From Recommendations to Action: Policy recommendations with owners, timelines, cost estimates and success indicators; pilot initiatives testable within 12 months; the public communiqué and implementation tracker.

Sri. Roji M. John

Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education,
Government of Kerala

Smt. Priyanka G. IAS

District Collector,
Ernakulam, Kerala

Dr. T. P. Sreenivasan (IFS 1967)

Former Ambassador of India
and Governor for
India of the IAEA

Prof. Dr. L. S. Ganesh

Professor (Retired), Department of
Management Studies,
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

Very Rev. Dr. Anto
Cheranthuruthy
(President)

(Syncellus, Major Archdiocese of
Ernakulam-Angamaly)

Steering Committee

Dr. Antony George
Mob: 8594002178
Dr. Nijo Varghese
Mob: 9446143807
Dr. Shiju K. K.
Mob: 8289891982
Ms. Teresa Parackal
Mob: 9446741676

Prof. Dr. C. D. Sebastian

Registrar,
University of
Calicut

Prof. Dr. Sam Thomas

Professor and Director,
School of Management Studies,
CUSAT

Rev. Dr. Paulachan K. J.
(Convenor)

Principal & Executive Director,
NIMIT

Click here to view updated
Programme Schedule

Prof. Dr. Praveena Kodoth

Professor, Centre for
Development Studies,
Thiruvananthapuram

Mr. Hashmi Taj Ibrahim
(Moderator)

Senior News Editor &
Lead Anchor – 24 News

Co-Convenors

Rev. Dr. Disto Kunjachan
Vice Principal, NIMIT
Mob: 9747394797

Rev. Dr. Antony Jose
Director, Centre for Research, NIMIT
Mob: 9562721457