Vidyashilp University hosted the second edition of India Rising: Aspiring Undergrads Summit at Prestige Falcon Towers, bringing together students, parents, counsellors, educators, and policy voices to discuss higher education choices in India and overseas.

The summit opened with an address by Dr P.G. Babu, Vice Chancellor, Vidyashilp University. He stated that India Rising aims to help students and families make informed decisions on higher education and emphasised the need for stronger multidisciplinary curricula and links between schools, universities, and industry.

Prof Partha Ray, Director of the National Institute of Bank Management and former Adviser to the Executive Director at the IMF, delivered the keynote. He discussed economic and geopolitical trends shaping student choices and underlined India’s potential to become a centre for accessible and industry-linked higher education.

Three panel discussions followed.
The first panel, featuring Mr Vishnuteerth Agnihotri, Mr Sajan Poovayya, Ms Namita Mehta, and Dr Chandan Gowda, and moderated by Dr Tania Islam, examined the India vs abroad question, urging families to consider affordability, outcomes, and alignment with student goals.

The second panel, with Dr Angelo Michael D’Cruize, Ms Geeta Jayanth, Dr J Bhuvaneswari, and Dr Manjula Raman, moderated by Dr Lalith Prasad, discussed how schools are integrating AI, innovation, and global exposure. Panelists noted that students are increasingly open to Indian universities that offer interdisciplinary and industry-linked pathways.

The final panel, comprising Dr B Gayethri Devi, Ms Ayesha Masood, Ms Usha Iyer, and Ms Meenakshi Myer, moderated by Ms Summiya Yasmeen, focused on preparing students for future education and employment, calling for closer collaboration between schools and universities.

The summit also included Innovators’ Junction, where students worked on problem-solving challenges across technology, design, and applied learning.

In addition, the EducationWorld TREE Awards recognised contributions in education across India.
Edupreneur Award winners included Alok Bhimesh (Basil Woods Institutions), Anuradha Krishnan (Ebenezer International School), Ayesha Masood (Oasis International School), Devendra Singh (HAL Public School, Bangalore), Lakshmi Reddy (Sharanya Narayani International School), Manjula Raman (Sherwood High), Niru Agarwal (Greenwood High), Sujith K (Vidyanivas PU College), and Usha Iyer (The Green School Bangalore).
Educationist Award winners included Ambika Subramanian (Vidyaniketan Academy), Anitha Bijesh (Delhi Public School Bangalore South), Anita Menon (Narayana e-techno Uttarahalli), Dr Angelo Michael D’Cruize (Presidency School Bangalore North), Dr J Bhuvaneswari (Presidency School Bangalore South), Dr B Gayethri Devi (Little Flower Public School), Geeta Jayanth (Chaman Bharatiya School), Gita R Giri (Basil Woods Nature School), Dr Indira Kothaneth (Presidency School), Jasmine K K (VIBGYOR High, Haralur), Jayalakshmi E (VIBGYOR High, Horamavu), Kavitha Neelayath (EuroSchool HSR), Kavita Sukhani (Oakridge International School, Bengaluru), Liju P Alex (National Hill View Public School, Banashankari), Mamatha Rao (Tattva School), Manju Balasubramanyam (Delhi Public School Bangalore North), Meenakshi Myer (Inventure Academy), Santhoshi T Ramkumar (VIBGYOR High, Marathahalli), Sailaja Vittaldev (The School of Raya), Shanthi Menon (The Deens Academy), Shailaja Appanaboyina (Basil Woods International School), Fr Sunil Fernandes (Loyola School), and Vineetha Anil (Primus Public School).

India Rising has established itself as part of Bengaluru’s education calendar, with the 2024 edition drawing strong participation. The 2025 summit continued to serve as a platform for discussion on higher education options and student preparedness.

Event: India Rising 2025: Aspiring Undergrads Summit
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Venue: Prestige Falcon Towers, Bengaluru

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