Hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in partnership with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the LAS, the conference took place at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. The event marked an essential step in strengthening educational ties between India and the Arab world.

The conference was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, who also delivered the keynote address. Libya’s Minister of Education, Imran Muhamed Al-Qeeb, led the Arab delegation, providing a special address to attendees.

In his welcoming remarks, UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar emphasized the importance of the conference in fostering higher education and skill development cooperation between the two regions. Following this, prominent figures such as Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, and Farraj Aljmi, Director of Education and Scientific Research at LAS, shared their insights.

The conference featured four key sessions that addressed vital topics such as innovative academic cooperation, digital platforms in education, mutual recognition of degrees, and promoting joint research and innovation, including advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology.

The final session, held on February 6, focused on strategies for promoting faculty and student exchange, as well as curriculum development cooperation between universities. The closing ceremony was chaired by the UGC Secretary, who delivered the valedictory address, concluding the productive two-day event.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on social media that the conference provided a platform for fruitful exchange between Arab and Indian academic institutions, strengthening the educational relationship between India and the Arab world.

The event served as a stepping stone for continued collaboration in the higher education sector, with a shared vision to transcend national borders and foster global cooperation in education. The success of the conference signifies the growing potential of educational partnerships between India and Arab countries.

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The PPC, organized by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, will take place at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital in a town hall format. The event has gained immense popularity since its inception in 2018, evolving into a nationwide movement. In its eighth edition in 2025, PPC saw a record-breaking 3.56 crore registrations, reflecting the program’s vast reach and growing significance among students, teachers, and parents across the country.

The core focus of Pariksha Pe Charcha is to transform exam-related anxiety into a festival of learning, dubbed “Utsav,” where students are encouraged to view exams as an opportunity for growth rather than a source of stress. This year’s edition will also include special activities conducted at the school level, from January 12 to January 25, to keep students engaged and help them manage exam-related pressures effectively.

A total of 1.42 crore students, 12.81 lakh teachers, and 2.94 lakh schools took part in these activities, which included indigenous games, creative competitions, and wellness activities like yoga and meditation. These initiatives are designed to improve focus, reduce stress, and promote well-being, ensuring students approach their exams with a calm and clear mindset.

Since its inception, Pariksha Pe Charcha has not only become a popular program but a movement that resonates deeply with the nation’s educational community. From its early days in New Delhi to its online adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and back to a live format, PPC has continually adapted to serve the needs of students nationwide.

PM Modi’s direct dialogue with students, teachers, and parents is central to the program’s success, helping to demystify the exam process and provide practical strategies for stress management. Through this engaging format, PPC encourages the spirit of positivity and well-being during one of the most challenging times in a student’s life — the board exams.

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Ganesh Gopalan, Co-Founder and CEO of Gnani.ai, shared his insights, saying, “2024 marked a pivotal year for generative AI, transforming industries from customer service to creative innovations. In 2025, the widespread adoption of Small Language Models (SLMs) and Speech-to-Speech Large Language Models (LLMs) will revolutionize sectors like customer support, healthcare, BFSI, automotive, and telecom.” These advanced AI technologies are expected to deliver highly accurate, low-latency solutions tailored to niche linguistic requirements. SLMs will provide unmatched precision for specialized tasks, while Speech-to-Speech LLMs will facilitate real-time multilingual communication, enhancing the global interconnectedness of services.

Another major development will be the rise of Agentic AI, which autonomously learns and adapts to its environment, empowering businesses with proactive decision-making capabilities. “As these models evolve, they will reshape generative AI, ushering in a new era of intuitive, efficient, and personalized global interactions,” Gopalan added.

In the education sector, AI is expected to drive significant advancements. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice-Chancellor of World University of Design, emphasized, “AI, VR, and AR have opened new frontiers, redefining education for the modern era. We anticipate continued growth in the demand for high-quality design education, driven by global trends and the need for creative, adaptable thinkers.” AI will not only transform how we learn but also help bridge the gaps in traditional educational pathways. Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University, noted that AI platforms will allow for more personalized learning experiences, helping students reach their full potential. The integration of AR and VR will further enhance these immersive learning environments in the coming year.

Robotics will also see a revolution through AI. Puru Rastogi, Co-Founder and CEO of Mowito, explained, “AI and robotics technologies will set new benchmarks, enabling real-time decision-making, predictive maintenance, and smarter robots. AI-driven automation will propel scalable growth and industrial prosperity. The future is clear—2025 will bring about a new era of agility and innovation.” These advancements will make robots smarter and more efficient, leading to better automation in industries across the board.

As technology becomes more intelligent, chipsets will play an increasingly critical role. Anku Jain, Managing Director of MediaTek India, pointed out, “Agentic AI, generative AI, advanced LLMs, and cloud computing have already triggered a tectonic shift in the industry.” The demand for powerful chipsets will continue to grow, supporting the heavy computational requirements of AI technologies.

AI’s influence is already transforming everyday life, from digital payments to how we search for information. Matthew Foxton, India Regional President & Executive Vice-President of Branding & Communications at IDEMIA Group, said, “In 2025, cryptography, tokenization, and biometric authentication will further drive innovation, particularly with the rise of embedded payments, connected devices, and hyper-connectivity, especially in the automotive sector. These technologies will create smarter, faster, and more secure transaction ecosystems.”

As we move into 2025, AI will undoubtedly play a central role in reshaping industries, societies, and even our daily routines. From the devices we use to the jobs we perform, AI will continue to influence and redefine how we interact with the world. The future is here, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence.

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