New Delhi A One-Day National Conference on the theme “Reimagining Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation: Pedagogy, Research, Governance, and Institutional Change” was successfully organised at the Special Centre for Disaster Research (SCDR), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, by SAFL India Foundation in collaboration with SCDR, JNU. The conference emerged as a significant academic platform bringing together academicians, policymakers, industry experts, faculty members, and scholars from institutions across India to deliberate upon the rapidly evolving relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and higher education.
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The inaugural session commenced with the ceremonial lamp lighting and Saraswati Vandana, symbolising the spirit of knowledge and academic enlightenment. Presiding over the session, Prof. S. Sreekesh, Chairperson, Special Centre for Disaster Research, JNU, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary engagement and responsible technological integration within higher education institutions. Prof. Kaushal Kishore, Professor and Head, Department of Educational Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, attended the conference as Guest of Honour and highlighted the transformative role of digital pedagogy, inclusive learning environments, and educational leadership in the contemporary era. Delivering the Chief Guest Address, Sh. Arjun Singh Bedi, Founder of Neev AI, discussed the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in shaping academic ecosystems, governance models, and innovation-driven institutions. He stressed the need to ensure that technological advancement remains aligned with ethics, inclusivity, and human-centred educational practices. Dr. Kshitij Kumar Singh, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, delivered the Special Address and reflected upon the ethical, legal, and governance-related dimensions of Artificial Intelligence, particularly in relation to data privacy, digital governance, and academic integrity.
A plenary session on “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education: Governance, Innovation, and Inclusion” was chaired by Dr. Deep Narayan Pandey, and co-chaired by Dr. Abhijeet Dwivedi, Coordinator of the National Conference, and featured eminent speakers including Mr. Kartik Sharma, Founder of RankinLLM (Aurora Intelligence) and Dr. Minakshi Tomer, Assistant Professor, Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology. The discussions focused on AI-enabled educational innovation, digital inclusion, policy reforms, and the changing role of educators in technology-driven learning environments. The discussions focused on AI-enabled educational innovation, digital inclusion, policy reforms, and the changing role of educators in technology-driven learning environments. Additionally, Dr. Ujjwal Narayan Ji emphasized the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in strengthening academic innovation, digital governance, and inclusive educational development in contemporary higher education systems. The conference also witnessed multiple parallel technical sessions organised at different venues within the JNU campus. Scholars and researchers presented papers on diverse themes such as AI-enabled pedagogy, governance and institutional transformation, digital knowledge systems, academic ethics, sustainability, mental health, inclusion, and the future of higher education.
Speaking on the significance of the conference, Mr. Jagdish Bishnoi, Convener of the National Conference, stated that the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence into educational systems requires serious academic engagement, interdisciplinary dialogue, and policy-oriented discussions. He emphasized that higher education institutions must prepare students not only for technological advancement but also for ethical leadership, democratic citizenship, and social responsibility. Mr. Lav Kumar Singh, Co-Convener of the Conference and Director of SAFL India Foundation, remarked that the conference aimed to build a meaningful platform connecting academia, governance, technology, and society. He highlighted that the future of higher education lies in balancing innovation with inclusion, ethics, critical thinking, and human values.
The valedictory session was graced by Dr. L.R. Bishnoi, IPS, Former DGP Meghalaya and SDGP Assam, Prof. Ravi Shekhar, Professor, CSRD, JNU. The conference concluded with a vote of thanks, certificate distribution, and a renewed commitment towards fostering inclusive, ethical, and future-oriented higher education systems in the age of Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation.
