In a rapidly changing world shaped by Artificial Intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies, the Indian Council for Technical Research & Development (ICTRD) has taken strides to be at the forefront of India’s education transformation.
On 25th November 2025, ICTRD convened a high-impact Virtual Round Table on “Reimagining Technical Education: From Classrooms to Innovation Labs,” bringing together policymakers, academics, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and students for a powerful dialogue on reshaping India’s learning ecosystem. The event reaffirmed ICTRD’s role as a premier national think tank committed to bridging policy, academia, and industry to build an innovation-based economy.
ICTRD: Reimagining Technical Education for an AI-Driven Future
Opening the session, ICTRD Chairman Dr. A. B. Ashish Sasankar set the tone by underscoring the urgent need to shift from theoretical teaching models to experiential, creative, and hands-on learning environments. He emphasized that India’s future depends on producing innovators, inventors, and problem-solvers who can thrive in a world driven by AI, robotics, and digital tools. He noted that traditional classrooms must evolve into innovation labs and makerspaces that give students the freedom to explore, experiment, and build solutions. His remarks framed the round table as a collective mission to modernize India’s education landscape and create future-ready learning ecosystems.
ICTRD Member Secretary Dr. Ketan Mohitkar reinforced this vision by highlighting the organisation’s long-term commitment to integrating technology, research, and practical learning into technical education. He called for a decisive shift from rote memorization to meaningful, skill-based learning that bridges the gap between industry expectations and academic training. Stressing ICTRD’s role as a connector between technology and innovation, he reaffirmed the need for collaborative responsibility among educators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to shape a technologically empowered India.
A series of expert interventions provided layered insights into the opportunities and structural challenges shaping India’s technical education system. Dr. Rahul Banerjee emphasized the growing dominance of India’s startup ecosystem and the rising demand for students with practical discipline, critical thinking, and exposure to AI-enabled tools. He argued that innovation labs, rapid prototyping capabilities, and design thinking are now essential for producing industry-ready graduates. Dr. Sarang Javkhedkar brought attention to the significant infrastructural gaps in rural institutions, where limited resources, insufficient labs, and scarce industry partnerships restrict students’ access to real-world exposure. He stressed the need for decentralized internship systems and stronger institutional support to ensure equitable access to opportunities.
Insights, Challenges, and the Path Toward Innovation-Led Learning
Offering a macro view of implementation challenges, Prof. Arup Barman pointed out the contradictions institutions face while shifting to skill-based models, reduced theoretical depth, inconsistent teaching standards, equipment shortages, and student–faculty fatigue due to continuous evaluation. He called for a balanced, sustainable transformation model that protects academic integrity while enabling innovation. Adding a pedagogical perspective, Dr. Abhishek Venkteshwar introduced his LAL (Lecture-Application–Lab) theory, arguing for clearly defined learning outcomes, application-oriented teaching, and greater use of AI tools to personalize learning. He noted that theory-heavy assessments often fail to reflect students’ true skills, and a shift toward application-driven evaluations is essential.
The open discussion brought further resonance: industry leaders highlighted the necessity of AI integration in curricula; researchers emphasized real-world relevance; students underscored the importance of hands-on experience and responsible use of AI; and academicians reiterated that true understanding emerges only when learners “get their hands dirty,” not merely through theoretical familiarity.
Collectively, the dialogue reinforced the belief that India’s next leap in education will be driven by innovation-led pedagogy, stronger academia–industry partnerships, upgraded institutional infrastructure, and a nationwide push for experiential learning models. The round table concluded with a unanimous commitment to building future-ready institutions equipped with innovation labs, mentorship systems, interdisciplinary curricula, and robust industry alignment.
With this initiative, ICTRD has once again demonstrated its leadership as a national think tank shaping the discourse on education reform and innovation policy. By curating meaningful conversations and driving actionable insights, ICTRD continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for transforming India’s technical education ecosystem, ensuring that the country evolves from a consumer of knowledge to a creator of innovation.