THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 6, 2026

Birla Global University (BGU), in collaboration with Microsoft Research India, brought together academic leaders from across Odisha for a Leadership Conclave on “Transformation of Higher Education in the Age of AI.” The conclave saw participation from representatives of 26 universities and colleges and aimed to explore how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping learning patterns and teaching methodologies in higher education.

Deliberations during the conclave focused on emerging gaps in early education and the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in redefining knowledge delivery systems. Discussions also emphasized the need for AI-driven education models to prioritise fairness and responsibility, encourage cross-disciplinary thinking, and foster collaborative learning ecosystems.

One of the key takeaways from the conclave was the concept of the Odisha University Compact, a collaborative framework designed to enable universities to work together while retaining their institutional autonomy. Through this model, participating universities can share academic resources, facilitate faculty exchange programmes, and create interdisciplinary learning groups. The compact also allows students to enrol in courses offered by partner universities, thereby promoting a more flexible and integrated higher education structure.

The Odisha University Compact aligns with the Ekalavya Model, which integrates Artificial Intelligence with innovative pedagogical approaches such as project-based and portfolio-based learning. The model also promotes the recognition of micro-learning achievements by allowing students to earn academic credits through smaller learning modules and specialised academic tasks. These initiatives collectively seek to modernise conventional education by strengthening collaborative learning, skill-based education, and academic innovation in the AI era.

The conclave featured several distinguished voices from academia, research, and industry. Dr. Manohar Swaminathan, Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research India, conducted technical workshops on the Pluriversity Compact and introduced participants to advanced Agentic AI technologies and their potential impact on academic curricula and adaptive learning environments. Deewakar Gupta from KPMG India spoke on the evolving regulatory landscape for AI in education and employment.

Academic leaders present at the conclave included Prof. Rangin P. Tripathy, Registrar at National Law University Odisha; Prof. Sridevi Guda, Pro-Vice Chancellor at Centurion University of Technology and Management; and Dr. Sanjay Kuanar, Dean, School of Computer Science & Engineering at Birla Global University.

Industry leaders such as Puspak Patro, CEO of Dynamicweb (Singapore), and Dr. Saiprasanna Behera of CRO Pharma Trendz also shared their perspectives on the evolving skill sets required in modern industries, underscoring the importance of stronger collaboration between academia and industry.

Another highlight of the event was the award ceremony of the “Agents for Academia” Hackathon, where students showcased innovative applications of Artificial Intelligence within the education ecosystem.

The conclave concluded with the formation of a collaborative group that will work towards driving meaningful reforms in the education system. The initiative aims to integrate Artificial Intelligence into academic practices and support Birla Global University in building a research-driven education ecosystem that is globally competitive and future-ready.