@ Vikash Sharma | Sr Journalist
The STTAR Global Education Conference 2025 brought together stalwarts from academia and industry at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, on September 27, 2025. With the theme “Human First, Tech Forward – The New Balance in Education”, the day-long event witnessed inspiring deliberations on the evolving role of technology in shaping education, with Google for Education as the Principal Partner.
The inaugural session was graced by Chief Guest, Dr. T. G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, and Guests of Honour, Dr. Biswajit Saha, Director, CBSE, and Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, Chief Executive and Secretary, CISCE. Special guests from the industry included Mr. Sanjay Jain, Head, Google for Education, India, and Mr. Raju Pullan, SVP, MX Business, Samsung India.
Organized by the Saamarthya Teachers Training Academy of Research (STTAR), an academy backed by the Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions, the conference reflected the Group’s commitment to thought leadership in education. The STTAR leadership was represented by Mr. Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman, Jaipuria Group, Mr. Vinod Malhotra, Chairman, STTAR, and Ms. Sushma Raturi, CEO, STTAR.
The inaugural session began with a warm welcome address by Mr. Vinod Malhotra, followed by a special address by Mr. Shishir Jaipuria. In his remarks, Mr. Jaipuria said: “The theme this year’s conference could not be more timely. We are living in unprecedented times, where the pace of technological change is unlike anything humanity has ever witnessed. The challenge before us is not only about what AI can do, but what it will mean for us as human beings.”
The conference featured keynote addresses by distinguished luminaries. Mr. Sanjay Jain delivered a thought-provoking keynote on “Evolving Education Landscape and Tech-led Transition,” while Mr. Raju Pullan spoke on “The Human and Tech Equation – Creating Impactful Learning Experiences.” A set of Knowledge Papers on AI in Education was also released during the inaugural.
The Guests of Honour, Dr. Joseph Emmanuel and Dr. Biswajit Saha, emphasized on balancing innovation with inclusivity and the role of policy in supporting transformative learning models. “School education is increasingly realizing the importance of focusing on student centricity and integrating technology. We have to find a harmonious balance,” said Dr. Joseph Emmanuel.
Dr. Biswajit Saha said, “NEP has laid the roadmap for competency-based learning where students’ interest is put foremost. Technology has to work towards that.”
The prestigious Shiksha Garima Puraskar was conferred on Dr. T. G. Sitharam, who in his acceptance stressed the need to leverage the full potential of AI without losing sight of the human touch and core values of education.
“My perspective is Human First and Human Last. Technology has to assist, not replace humans. In education, teachers have to work towards changing the way we assess students. Technology has facilitated learning in different Indian languages. That needs to be harnessed,” he said.
The conference attracted over 700 educators, counsellors, and industry experts from 18 Indian states, creating a vibrant platform of dialogue through panel discussions, masterclasses, and interactive sessions.
A highlight of the day was the STTAR Excellence Awards, where Ms. Vrinda Sarup, Former Secretary, School Education and Literacy, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour. The Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Dr. Shalini Advani, School Advisor and Governing Body Member, Pathways Schools & NEASC. Awards were presented across four categories — Principals, Teachers, Counsellors, and Schools — with winners representing diverse geographies, from Jammu and Kashmir to Chennai, Gujarat to Nagaland.
The STTAR Global Education Conference 2025 emerged as a powerful forum for dialogue, debate, and collaboration, reinforcing the shared vision of creating a future-ready education system that is powered by technology yet deeply rooted in human values.
