Apeejay Higher Education Leadership Summit 2025

The Apeejay Higher Education Leadership Summit 2025, held on May 23–24, 2025, at Apeejay Stya University, marked a historic event aimed at fostering collaboration, innovation, and institutional synergy among the Apeejay group of institutions. The summit was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chancellor Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia and Pro-Chancellor Dr. Neha Berlia, who began the event with the ceremonial lighting of lamps and tree plantation, symbolizing knowledge and sustainability. They also launched Radio Styavani 88.4 FM, the region’s first university-operated community radio station, developed in collaboration with BECIL to support educational outreach.

In the opening session, Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Vijay Vir Singh welcomed the dignitaries and emphasized the importance of collective excellence. He presented the summit as a starting point for cohesive advancement among Apeejay institutions.

The keynote address by Chancellor Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia was visionary, highlighting the need to integrate Classical Universal Human Values into education, stressing that while AI is a powerful tool, it should be used ethically to enhance student-centric learning. She emphasized experiential learning, thematic instruction, and teamwork as essentials for 21st-century education. She urged institutions to move from discussion to implementation, grounded in vision and collaborative execution.

Pro-Chancellor Dr. Neha Berlia, in her address, spoke about the evolving role of educational leaders and emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration, strategic planning, and leadership that transforms individual strengths into shared achievements. Drawing from her academic and cultural research experiences, she advocated for a strategic playbook and emphasized leadership based on execution, openness, and accountability.

The Academic Leadership Session, chaired by Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia and co-chaired by Dr. Neha Berlia, brought together directors and principals from various Apeejay institutions. Discussions centered around enhancing academic synergy, institutional operations, pedagogy reforms, research collaboration, and alumni-industry engagement. Key thematic areas identified for future collaboration included:

• Institutional Operations & Tech Integration
• Pedagogy & Experiential Learning
• Arts, Design & Incubation
• Student & Faculty Exchange
• Academic Events & Coordination
• Centralized Communication & Outreach
• Alumni, Industry Connect & Cultural Engagement
• Research, Innovation & Placements

On Day 2, Prof. Arya Kumar from BITS Pilani emphasized sustainable, values-based institutional growth and innovation. Citing global models like MIT, he advocated for student-centric, industry-aligned education rooted in regional and cultural ethos. He urged institutions to balance tradition and modernity for long-term sustainability.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar, a senior professional with over 37 years of experience, stressed the need for outcome-focused collaborations, prioritizing research, societal impact, and infrastructure development over symbolic MoUs. He highlighted the importance of specialization and continuous faculty development aligned with market demands.

The summit concluded with a strong reaffirmation of Apeejay Education Society’s mission—grounded in ethical leadership, academic innovation, and cultural values. Future action items include creation of content protocols, social media strategies, and quality-focused institutional development with long-term benefits. The event established a forward-looking framework for inter-institutional collaboration, setting the stage for Apeejay institutions to become global exemplars of educational excellence, innovation, and societal contribution.