Ashoka University’s Office of Learning Support (OLS) successfully hosted Conclave 3.0, the third edition of its annual event focused on inclusive higher education. Held under the theme “Advancing Together: A Networked Approach to Inclusive Higher Education”, the conclave brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and advocacy to accelerate efforts in disability inclusion and equitable campus recruitment.

In his keynote address, Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), emphasised the urgency of fostering inclusive learning environments from early education. “Children with disabilities must grow up in inclusive schools, as that foundation shapes their journey into higher education and beyond. Inclusion must be the norm, not the exception,” he stated.

Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education, reinforced the importance of embedding inclusion across India’s expansive higher education landscape. “With over 4.5 crore students, it is our collective responsibility to ensure every learner has the opportunity to thrive. The NEP 2020 mandates equity and inclusion — now is the time to translate that vision into action.”

The two senior officials jointly launched IdeaPal, a pioneering open-source database offering ready-to-use frameworks and practical tools for institutions to implement inclusive practices.

The event also showcased outcomes from four Idea Labs—working groups formed during last year’s conclave—focused on accessible libraries, assistive technologies, reasonable accommodation frameworks, and inclusive pedagogy. Faculty from institutions such as IIT Delhi, Azim Premji University, and Delhi University shared classroom strategies and perspectives on inclusive teaching.

Corporate participation underscored the role of industry in inclusive hiring, with best practices shared by Dell Technologies, V-shesh, and others. A diversity hiring toolkit for inclusive placements was also unveiled.

Dr Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder and Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University, called for inclusion to be embedded in the design of future campuses. “India has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make inclusion foundational. Every new campus and programme must be accessible from day one.”

Reena Gupta, Senior Director, OLS, reflected on the journey from Ashoka’s early efforts in 2015 to a national movement. “From white papers to weekly sessions, Conclave 3.0 represents years of collaborative work. The re-launch of the Inclusive University Alliance signals deeper engagement with government and academia to co-create systemic change.”

Established in 2016, Ashoka’s OLS supports students with visible and invisible disabilities. The conclave also invited institutions to join the Inclusive University Alliance — a national network committed to advancing inclusive education through shared frameworks, policy advocacy, and capacity-building.

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