Thapar Institute’s Global Academic Leadership Summit 2026 Concludes with a Unified Vision for AI, Sustainability, and the Future of Higher Education

Mr. Gautam Thapar eloquently traced TIET’s journey from its founding through periods of crisis to its present standing, grounding his remarks in the institute’s enduring commitment to resilience, relevance, and social responsibility.

Mr. Rajeev Ranjan Vedrah addressed what he called the “elephant in the room” — the complex realities of AI and the digital era. Framing his observations within the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, he asserted TIET’s role as a proud private institution contributing to national development, and noted that the uncertainty ahead is matched by equal opportunity for institutions willing to innovate and lead.

“The Global Academic Leadership Summit 2026 reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue on the future of higher education. As institutions navigate rapid technological and societal changes, it is essential to build frameworks that are inclusive, adaptive, and globally relevant — while contributing to national and global priorities” said Prof. Padmakumar Nair, Vice Chancellor, TIET

Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe congratulated TIET on seventy years of academic excellence, commending the institute for its distinctive ethos and the vision with which it organised the conclave. He highlighted key governmental initiatives in the education sector and emphasised higher education’s integral role in national capacity-building.

Day 2 at the TIET campus deepened the conversation with sessions on Research Impact and Global Rankings — stressing the imperative for Indian institutions to raise their global research visibility — and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Academia–Industry–Society Collaboration, which examined how universities and industry can forge more purposeful partnerships to address global challenges. Senior leaders from Google, Atos, and American Express contributed industry perspectives to this session.

The summit concluded with a valedictory session celebrating two days of extraordinary exchange. By convening some of the world’s finest academic and industry minds on Indian soil, Thapar Institute reaffirmed its commitment to advancing higher education and the collaborations forged here are set to shape institutions, policies, and partnerships for years to come.

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