3rd Annual ASU+GSV & Emeritus Summit Concludes With Discussions Shaping the Future of Education and Workforce Innovation
Bengaluru: The 3rd Annual ASU+GSV & Emeritus Summit concluded with powerful discussions shaping the future of education and workforce innovation, bringing together influential thought leaders, industry experts, and policymakers from around the globe. With the theme of fostering innovation across the educational spectrum, the summit emphasized the critical role of technology in shaping how we learn, work, and upskill in the face of rapid technological change.
The three-day event highlighted the urgent need for innovation across the entire education spectrum from “Pre-K to Gray” amid technological advances that are changing how we learn and work. As technology redefines the dynamics of knowledge acquisition and application relentlessly, the conversations emphasized the necessity for innovative models of education that keep pace with an ever-changing digital world.
A key highlight of the summit was a motivational session with Olympic medallist and world champion Mary Kom, whose life is an epitome of resilience and excellence. In a session with Ashwin Damera, Co-Founder & CEO of Emeritus, and Viren Rasquinha, Olympian and CEO, OGQ. Kom reflected on her long association with OGQ and the phenomenal difference it has made to her sporting career. “To be a champion is not easy at all. Since OGQ came into my life and started supporting me, I felt stability, and I was able to concentrate on my training. Over the years, OGQ has become more than just a supporter—it feels like family,” she said. Her session reverberated with the audience deeply, emphasizing the importance of structured support in nurturing talent.
Keynote speaker Michael M. Crow, President, ASU, stressed the importance of innovation in preparing students for an evolving workforce. Other highlights included a compelling session with Suresh Prabhu, Former Union Minister and Chancellor at Rishihood University, who underscored the need for a cultural shift to drive innovation in India, advocating for corporate-led R&D investment and policy incentives. Rahul Bothra, CFO, Swiggy, and Ashwin Damera, Co-Founder & CEO, Emeritus, discussed Swiggy’s IPO journey, emphasizing governance, long-term investor trust, and the IPO as a major brand-building event. A fireside chat between Pragya Misra, Public Policy and Partnerships Lead, OpenAI, and Claire Zau, Partner & AI Lead, GSV Ventures, explored OpenAI’s mission, India’s role in AI development, and the transformative potential of multi-modal AI in education and healthcare.
The fireside chat with Rajendra Pawar, Chairman and Co-Founder, NIIT Limited, provided insights into the creation of sustainable education businesses. While speaking about the longevity of NIIT’s success, Pawar stated, “A company needs a solid foundation—pedagogy has always been our strength. Quality education need not be expensive; removing inefficiencies is the secret. The Japanese model has proven that cost and quality are not mutually exclusive.”
Speakers and esteemed guests, included Charge D’Affaires, Jorgan K. Andrews from the US Embassy in New Delhi, former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, Sanjeev Sanyal – a Member of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), Ved Mani Tiwari – CEO, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Pragya Misra – Public Policy and Partnerships Lead for India, OpenAI, Deborah Quazzo – Managing Partner at GSV Ventures, as well as other leaders and investors from the education and the edtech ecosystem across the world.
