To create a transdisciplinary and globally competitive education ecosystem, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a visionary project. However, its success depends on how well educational institutions, business executives, and legislators work together. Dr. Buddha Chandrasekhar, Chief Coordinating Officer of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), stated at the CII Education East Summit 2025 in Kolkata that greater cooperation between business and academia is required to fully realize the aims of the NEP 2020. To assist in aligning education with industry demands and create pathways for internships, skills, and future careers, CII Eastern Region launched the Industry-Academia Yatra, a concentrated roundtable between industry and academia industrial clusters.

Dr. Chandrasekhar said that rather than promoting cooperation and teamwork, the current educational system frequently fosters individual competitiveness. He emphasized the significance of reorienting education to be more industry-driven so that students can develop into professionals or entrepreneurs who can support the development of the country. He went on to emphasize that encouraging risk-taking, collaboration, and hands-on learning would assist children in developing the resilience, inventiveness, and inventive spirit necessary for India’s goal of becoming a “Vishwa Guru” once more.

The Executive Chairman of Tega Industries Limited, Mr. Madan Mohanka, emphasized that entrepreneurship—rather than just jobs—will be essential to realizing India’s goal of being a developed country by 2047. He emphasized the necessity of shifting education from rote learning to experiential and innovation-led models that develop problem-solving and leadership abilities, emphasizing the need to channel the creativity and energy of India’s youth, of whom over 60% are under 35. Mr. Mohanka urged for increased inclusion of women in the workforce as well as more assistance for MSMEs and new business owners, which account for 35% of India’s GDP.

Mr. Ujjal Chakraborti, Chairman of the CII Eastern Region Education & Skill Development Subcommittee and Executive In Charge of Tata Steel Limited’s Tinplate Division, reaffirmed CII’s long-term vision by emphasizing that the future of industry is being shaped in classrooms today and that realizing India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 will require aligning education with emerging technologies, research, and employability.

According to Prof. (Dr.) Samit Ray, Founder & Chancellor of Adamas University and Co-Chairman of the CII Eastern Region Education & Skill Development Subcommittee, higher education in India is undergoing a pivotal period of change that is characterized by innovation, creativity, and agility. He discussed how the eastern area could serve as an example for regional cooperation in the improvement of national education.

Priyanka Dutta