Zero Waste Schools Sustainability Mela 2025 Hosted by Project Mumbai

Dec, 6 : Project Mumbai hosted the Zero Waste Schools Sustainability Mela 2025, a vibrant, youth-led climate action festival titled “Hope in Action: Youth for a Climate-Resilient Mumbai” that brought together over 30 schools, educators, civic leaders, environmentalists, and hundreds of enthusiastic student changemakers. Designed as a bridge between classroom climate initiatives and the upcoming Mumbai Climate Week 2026, the Mela showcased how hands-on sustainability can ignite real behavioural change across the city.
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The event opened with an engaging introductory segment, including the screening of the Zero Waste Schools film, a diya lighting ceremony, and a welcome to dignitaries who have been pivotal in India’s climate and sustainability landscape. Guest of Honour, Shri Sudhakar Bobade, Mission Director of Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan, shared insights from his four decades of public service and his leadership in strengthening climate-responsive governance. Mr. Shishir Joshi, Founder & CEO of Project Mumbai and Mumbai Climate Week, highlighted the importance of citizen-driven climate transformation. Mr. Ronit Bhat from Children’s Academy emphasized the need for experiential, sustainability-focused learning in schools, while Mr. Konark Borkar, Marine Biologist and Senior Project Officer for Zero Waste Schools, reflected on nurturing scientific curiosity and climate responsibility among students. Adding a spark of youthful energy, the two youngest student champions of the Zero Waste Schools Programme took the stage as representatives of student-led climate leadership.
The heart of the Mela came alive through three simultaneous hands-on workshops on Sustainable Gift Wrapping, Green Reading, and Plastic-Free Décor, paired with a buzzing exhibition zone. Students explored ten interactive sustainability game stalls, circular economy showcases, NGO booths, and four Project Mumbai stalls that demonstrated composting, recycling, upcycling, and low-waste living. The experience demonstrated how sustainability becomes exciting and accessible when students learn by doing.
In the afternoon, the audience was inspired by a keynote address from Mr. Yusuf Kabir, WASH CCES Specialist at UNICEF India, whose decades of work in WASH, climate adaptation, and public health deeply resonated with the young crowd. This was followed by the first panel discussion, moderated by youth environmentalist Rahul Bagwe, featuring Level 2 school students who spoke candidly about their climate initiatives and the challenges and opportunities of building greener school communities.
The highlight of the day was the youth conversation with Chief Guest Dia Mirza, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador. She engaged directly with students in a powerful panel on climate responsibility, followed by a heartfelt townhall-style address. Her message underscored the belief that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrowthey are the leaders of today, shaping the city’s climate future with courage and clarity.
The Mela also celebrated student and school achievements through an awards ceremony recognising 9 Level 2 schools20 Level 1 schools, and 20 facilitators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Zero Waste Schools Programme. These recognitions affirmed the progress of schools transitioning into zero-waste zones through composting, segregation, plastic recycling, and student-led climate initiatives.
The Sustainability Mela 2025 stands as a shining example of how collaboration between students, educators, civic authorities, and community partners can accelerate climate action. As part of Mumbai Climate Week’s larger movement, the event amplified the voices of young green champions and showcased scalable ideas such as community composting, plastic reduction campaigns, and circular economy solutions. By connecting school-level action to city-level climate resilience conversations, the initiative strengthens Mumbai’s ecosystem of climate leadership.
As we close this year’s celebration, one message echoes clearly across the Mela: when students lead, the city moves. The Zero Waste Schools Sustainability Mela 2025 reaffirms that every small action from segregation habits to upcycling projects—creates ripples far beyond the classroom. With committed partners, inspiring leaders, and passionate young changemakers, Mumbai’s journey toward a cleaner, greener, zero-waste future is already in motion.

Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) CEO /CXO Talk Sessions A Conversation with Gen Z

Mumbai, Dec 06: Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida — one of India’s leading AACSB-accredited business schools successfully concluded its monthly CEO/CXO Talk series, “A Conversation with Gen Z.” The initiative brought top business leaders to campus to share insights on leadership, HR strategies, and digital transformation with aspiring young managers.

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The speaker lineup included Kenji Inoue, CFO & COO, UNIQLO India; Swarup Mohanty, Vice Chairman & CEO, Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) Pvt. Ltd.; Abhay Batra, Co-Founder & CFO, Clovia; and Vijay Ranjan Singh, HR Head, LG India. Subsequent sessions also featured Seepika Singhal, Senior Director & Global Head Total Rewards, Brillio Technologies; Rahul Vij, COO, Digi Haat (Nirmit Bharat); and Aditya Agarwal, Executive Vice President Digital, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., each delivering impactful individual interactions with students.

These sessions provided students with actionable perspectives on leadership, digital acceleration, investment journeys, and talent management — reinforcing BIMTECH’s commitment to strengthening industry–academia collaboration.

During his talk, Mr. Swarup Mohanty shared an important personal learning, stating:

“I made two mistakes not starting to invest early and not remaining invested. I thought I was smarter than the markets, but soon realized that the markets are always smarter. In a country like India, which is poised for exponential growth, investing in capital markets is one of the most meaningful ways to participate in its progress.”

The interactive format encouraged students to participate in conversations around entrepreneurship, brand positioning, and product innovation. Mr. Abhay Batra emphasized the power of mindful marketing strategies, remarking:

“Spending a lot of money doesn’t ensure success. What works is organic connection and doing things the right way.”

He concluded with an inspiring message for future leaders:

“The only difference between success and no success is doing.”

Bringing high energy to the session, Mr. Vijay Ranjan Singh urged students to reflect on their aspirations and readiness for the corporate world. Quoting the film Sultan, he highlighted the importance of self-driven growth, adding:

“You can only defeat yourself.”

BIMTECH’s Vision: Industry-Ready Leaders for the Future

BIMTECH stands among the few B-schools in India with a structured year-round CEO/CXO talk series designed to develop industry-centric thinking, professional preparedness, and future leadership capabilities. The initiative also invites corporate leaders to contribute their experiences for the benefit of emerging talent, strengthening the larger ecosystem of future managers in India.

As a pioneering institution, BIMTECH continues to raise the bar through initiatives such as:

  • Launch of the Bloomberg Lab, Marketing & Retail Research Lab, and BIMCOIN a blockchain-based campus currency

  • A strategic partnership with UNIQLO

  • Students winning the PRME Global Students Sustainability Award 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters, New York

  • Support extended to 150+ startups during the Google AI Startup Day

  • Workshops like Train-the-Trainer for Inclusive Higher Education by BCall (Centre of Education for All)

Inspired by its visionary founders Late Basant Kumar Birla and Sarala Birla, BIMTECH offers programs including PGDM, PGDM (International Business), PGDM (Insurance Business Management), PGDM (Retail Management), PGDM Online, and FPM/E-FPM — shaping ethical, globally competent business leaders. Supported by a strong alumni network of over 8,000 professionals, BIMTECH continues to hold its position among globally recognized management institutions.

Empowering Students with Future-Ready Education, My School My Startup Bus Inauguration at DAV Bilaspur

Bilaspur, Dec 5: DAV Bilaspur marked a significant step toward innovation-driven education with the inauguration of the MSMS (My School My Startup) Future-Ready Education Bus on 1st December 2025. The initiative, sponsored by SECL and powered by Codevidhya, was unveiled in the presence of an esteemed panel of dignitaries: Chief Guest Shri Biranchi Das, Director (Personnel), SECL, Guest of Honour Shri Shyamlal Rao, GM (Welfare), SECL, Shri Vivek Singh, Personnel Manager, SECL, and Shri K. Parthipan, Principal, DAV Bilaspur.

DAV Bilaspur

The MSMS Education Bus, conceptualised as a handy mobile learning van, is designed to provide students with transformative, skill-based digital education, aligning directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a Viksit Bharat powered by technology, innovation, and youth empowerment. PM Modi has repeatedly emphasised the importance of equipping the next generation with future-ready skills such as digital literacy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The MSMS initiative brings this vision to life by enabling students to learn, explore, and build their ideas within a modern, mobile innovation environment.

Supported by SECL’s educational CSR initiatives, the project aims to strengthen the region’s academic ecosystem by making modern learning more inclusive and accessible. With Codevidhya as the knowledge and technology partner, the MSMS model integrates coding, computational thinking, AI readiness, and innovation-based education into everyday learning.

The inauguration at DAV Bilaspur signifies a step forward in integrating mobile innovation labs within schools, ensuring that students receive exposure to emerging technologies at an early age. This move supports the goals of the NEP 2020 by encouraging experiential and hands-on learning.

In line with PM Modi’s vision of Digital India, Skill India, and Viksit Bharat@2047, this mobile education bus stands as a transformative step toward nurturing a generation that is technologically empowered, future-ready, and globally competitive. 

Following the launch, students toured the MSMS Bus and participated in interactive demonstrations, experiencing firsthand the tools and modules included in the van. The initiative has been well-received by the school community for making advanced learning accessible while inspiring students to explore technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

This launch stands as a strong reflection of collaborative efforts toward building a progressive education ecosystem aligned with India’s growth vision.

Panchsheel Students Receive Scholarships For Full Academic Expenses 

New Delhi, Dec 05: Under a noble initiative to support academic dedication, 17 meritorious students from Panchsheel Balak Inter College, Sector 91, Noida and Mahamaya Balika Inter College received a scholarship that will take care of their full academic expenses.

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School Principal Dr. Neeraj Tandon shared that the scholarships were facilitated by Kaizzen in collaboration with Shiksha Daan, to support students whose parents have ensured their education despite financial hardships.

“These students are exceptionally dedicated and committed to their studies. Their perseverance and passion for learning are truly commendable and they are making significant strides towards accomplishing their dreams,” said Mr. Tandon.

The scholarship distribution ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. Vineet Handa, Founder & CEO of Kaizzen, as Chief Guest, along with distinguished guests, including Mr. V.G. Krishnan and Mrs. Bindu Krishnan, Founders of Shiksha Daan.

The event coordinator and host Mrs. Sheetal Singh highlighted Kaizzen’s journey since its inception in 2008 as one of India’s leading firms in digital media and public relations.

 Addressing the students, Mr. Handa emphasised,

“There is no substitute for hard work and no shortcuts to success. Every achievement comes through effort. This scholarship aims to encourage students to continue their education and build a brighter future.”

 An interactive open forum allowed students to engage with experts from Kaizzen and Shiksha Daan, asking questions and receiving valuable guidance.

The Kaizzen team at the event included- Ms. Ankita Malik (Vice President, North), Mr. Prashant Subramanian (Vice President, North & East), Ms. Sadhana Arya (Digital Lead), Ms. Adiba Amin (Account Director), Ms. Priyambada Nath (Chief of Staff), and Ms. Priyanka Singh (Senior Manager, Human Resources), who motivated and encouraged the students.

Parents expressed heartfelt gratitude to the school, Kaizzen, and Shiksha Daan for this financial support, which will help their children pursue education without interruption.

Ramagya School’s Playdate Creates a World of Joy, Learning & Discovery for Young Children

Noida, Dec 1: Ramagya School, a pioneer in holistic education, successfully hosted a grand and power-packed Playdate—a thoughtfully designed experiential event for young children and their parents. The campus transformed into a playful, colourful, and immersive environment where every corner invited exploration, creativity, movement, and joyful learning.

The event drew an overwhelming response, with enthusiastic participation from families who praised Ramagya School’s commitment to early childhood development through experiential, play-based learning.

Highlights of the Playdate Experience

The Playdate featured nine engaging activity stations, each curated to stimulate different developmental skills such as creativity, motor skills, coordination, rhythm, logic, confidence, and teamwork.

Station 1: Creative Corner – Stick & Paste Fun

A vibrant craft station where children enthusiastically decorated colourful pre-cut shapes using cotton, paper bits, pompom balls, and glitter stickers. This activity helped enhance fine motor skills, imagination, and sensory exploration.
Little hands worked with excitement as children proudly carried home their personalised creations as keepsakes of the day.

Station 2: Adventure Trail – A Journey of Fun & Challenge

One of the biggest attractions, the Adventure Trail featured tunnels, balance paths, soft hurdles, hop areas, and crawling sections.
Children embarked on this mini adventure with zeal — hopping, climbing, crawling, and balancing — all while boosting confidence, body coordination, gross motor skills, and determination. Parents cheered as their little ones completed challenges with joy on their faces.

Station 3: Hit the Bottle – Test Your Aim

This fun, interactive game had children throwing soft balls to knock down colourful bottles.
The excitement of aiming, throwing, and winning small surprises made this station a top favourite. It encouraged focus, hand–eye coordination, and sportsmanship in an enjoyable, safe manner.

Station 4: Music Station – Make Your Own Rhythm

Children gathered to explore the world of rhythm using simple, everyday objects. From tapping boxes to shaking bottles and creating beats, children discovered how music is everywhere!
This station sparked creativity, auditory development, and confidence as children expressed themselves through sound.

Station 5: Blow the Ball – Aim with Air

A fun science-meets-play activity where children used air power to guide a light ball toward a target.
The laughter and excitement filled the area as children learned about breath control, cause-and-effect, and focus — all while having delightful fun.Station 6: Let’s Color Together – Friends Wall

A large community colouring wall invited children to doodle, draw, scribble, and express freely.
This collaborative art space fostered creativity, social interaction, and bonding. The wall bloomed with colours, reflecting the imaginations of dozens of young artists working together.

Station 7: Photo Booth – Capture the Smiles

A bright, cheerful corner with fun props and colourful backdrops became the perfect spot to freeze happy memories.
Parents and children clicked vibrant pictures, making the day unforgettable

Station 8: Puzzle Time – The Wooden Wonder Table

A calm and thoughtful station with wooden puzzles focused on shapes, patterns, and spatial learning.
Kids solved puzzles individually and in groups, enhancing logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.

Station 9: Newspaper Walk – Don’t Touch the Ground!

A playful race where children used newspaper sheets as stepping stones to complete the course.
The activity encouraged balance, strategy, teamwork, and physical coordination — with plenty of laughter and cheering all around.

Expressing his delight over the event’s success, Mr. Utkarsh Gupta, Managing Director, Ramagya Group, said: “Seeing children explore, experiment, and enjoy so freely is truly heartwarming. At Ramagya, we believe that real learning happens when children are allowed to play, imagine, and express themselves. The Playdate was designed to provide a multisensory experience that nurtures creativity, confidence, curiosity, and social bonding. We are thrilled to witness the joy it brought to every child and parent who joined us.”

The playdate received an overwhelming response from parents, who appreciated Ramagya School’s commitment to experiential learning and child-centric development.

Queensland EdTech Stars Shine at Asia’s Largest Education Summit

DIDAC India,Nov 28:- Asia’s largest and India’s only B2B education and skilling exhibition, spotlighted the country’s rapidly evolving learning and workforce-development landscape this year. Making a strong debut, a high-level delegation from Queensland engaged with Indian leaders and policymakers to showcase innovative models in educational leadership, career training, and future-focused STEM learning. Backed by key Indian government ministries and global partners such as Global Victoria, the showcase brought together seven Queensland organisations exploring strategic collaborations aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and the nation’s FutureSkills agenda.

Alongside the featured exhibitors, Queensland’s delegation also included:

  • APAC
  • Signet Institute of Australia
  • eSkilled
  • CTI – Canterbury Technical Institute
  • Vibe College
  • Switch4Schools
  • Science Adventure Books e

These providers collectively represent Queensland’s strength in VET, digital learning platforms, wellbeing solutions, and creative education.

AI and Power Skills for the Workforce;

Lynne Stephens, the founder of the Australasian Leadership Academy (ALA), is utilising the occasion to present a novel blended learning approach. “We see a strong connection between ALA’s mission and India’s goal of providing accessible, industry-relevant lifelong learning,” Stephens said. Technical training is only one aspect of ALA’s solution. To develop critical “power skills” such as leadership, resilience, and problem-solving, which are increasingly in demand in India’s quickly expanding industries, it integrates accredited VET programs with AI simulations. For faculty training and B2B workforce solutions, the company wants to work with academic institutions, technical schools, and governmental organisations.

Hands-On Innovation in STEM;

STEM Punks in addition, is reaching out to the next generation of innovators and concentrating on the professional workforce. Fiona Holmstrom, co-founder, highlighted that their programs provide practical, industry-relevant education in critical areas like AI, robotics, and design thinking. Holmstrom said, “We see India not just as a market but as a partner in shaping the global innovation ecosystem.”

eSkilled’s Focus on Vocational Training in India ;

eSkilled was inspired to explore the Indian EdTech space by India’s large skill development mission and saw their AI Course Creator as a high impact solution to efficiently scale good quality, vocational and employability training through ITIs, universities and L&D teams. eSkilled is a specialized AI Course Creator for skills and workplace training, providing not only interactive, user-friendly courses but also guided vocational education and compliance. Scott Rogers, CEO, eSkilled, believes that over the next two-three years, eSkilled is aiming at forming strategic partnerships with the government and key enterprises, building a strong partner ecosystem which is also supported by Queensland’s innovation ecosystem.

Switch4Schools: Bringing Neuroscience and Wellbeing to India’s Classrooms;

Driven by its mission to assist schools in striking a balance between tradition and digital adoption by making learning enjoyable and grounded in science, Switch4Schools is entering the diverse Indian education market and the company’s distinctive value is found in its translation of psychology and neuroscience into straightforward, eye-catching educational materials that emphasize on attention management, energy regulation, and habit formation. Their strategy is to implement easy-to-use digital and printable modules that require little infrastructure are part of their solution which also can be accessed in settings with limited resources and provide educators with data-driven reports on engagement and switching behaviours.

The companies emphasised that Queensland’s robust innovation scene provides a foundation for the expansion into the Indo-Pacific. This paves the way for sustainable partnerships in long-term leadership and employability growth across India.

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Learning Spiral Hosts Future-Ready Skilling Conclave with AWS & Govt. of West Bengal

 Nov 28:-Learning Spiral successfully organized the Skilling Conclave Skills Roadmap for New Age India in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Department of Higher & Technical Education, Government of West Bengal. Held at The Park Hotel, Park Street, the event brought together senior government officials, leading academicians, and technology experts to discuss India’s evolving skills ecosystem.

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The keynote address was delivered by Shri Binod Kumar, Principal Secretary, School & Higher Education, Government of West Bengal, who highlighted the state’s commitment to strengthening digital learning, fostering industry–academia collaboration, and preparing students for a tech-driven future. The event highlighted that the future of India’s education system hinges on how quickly and effectively we integrate modern skills into our academic framework.

Mr. Manish Mohta, Founder, Learning Spiral, said;

“The future of higher education, future-ready skill development, a national skills roadmap, and the transformative power of AI for education, it has become evident that institutions must embrace cloud-based learning ecosystems and emerging technologies without delay. This is no longer optionalit’s essential for building an agile, employable, and innovation-driven generation. We believe that collaboration between government, academia, and tech leaders will be the key to preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital world.”

The conclave witnessed active participation from key dignitaries, including the Secretary, DHE, Govt. of West Bengal; Director, DTE, Govt. of West Bengal; Prof. Amlan Chakraborty, Director, A.K. Chowdhury School of IT, University of Calcutta; and AWS leaders Sumita Gupta and Rohit Sharma.

The Skilling Conclave reaffirmed LSL’s commitment to enabling a future-ready India by fostering dialogue, innovation, and partnerships that support the next generation of learners, educators, and institutions.

Australia on the Radar: NiviCap Powers Students with Up to ₹45 Lakh in Hassle-Free Digital Loans

Australia has seen a sharp rise in international education demand, with the total number of overseas student visa-holders crossing 608,000 by late 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks. Indian students now represent roughly 17% of this cohort, cementing India as one of Australia’s strongest education corridors. Yet, despite such strong demand, the study-abroad financing journey remains complex, scattered, and stressful for families, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

NiviCap has been built to fix exactly that. It has been built to solve the real challenges Indian students and their families face when planning education in Australia. More than just a loan provider, it offers straightforward, transparent education loans that cover tuition, living expenses, visa costs, and travel, with loans up to ₹45 lakh and competitive interest rates based on creditworthiness.

Backed by the founders of ZIKSU, Australia’s homegrown fintech, it combines knowledge of the Indian market with on-the-ground experience in Australia so that parents know precisely where their money is going and when.  The NiviCap App goes beyond loans; it helps families with more than just loans. It also makes it easier for them to send and receive money, pick up students at the airport, and hold their hands when they arrive so they don’t have to figure things out on their own in a new nation. Everything from applying to getting money to living in Australia is designed to be quick, straightforward, and digital, with human help when it’s needed most. This way, students can focus on their future and parents can feel their stress levels drop at every stage. Strengthening this bridge of trust is the presence of Justin Langer, former Australian cricket coach, who supports NiviCap as its Brand Ambassador, resonating with the platform’s values of guidance, reliability, and mentorship.

Mr. Karthik Srinivasan, Founder, NiviCap;shared, “As an Indian-born Australian, I’ve lived the same journey that lakhs of Indian students aspire to every year. Today, around 5.2 lakh Indian students want to study in Australia, but only about 1.6 lakh make it, often because the financial process feels overwhelming, fragmented, or unclear. Nearly 80% depend on loans, yet many families struggle with documentation, cross-border regulations, and the emotional stress of managing finances across two countries. Having worked in banking across India and Australia, I’ve seen firsthand how these challenges can make academic dreams feel distant.”

“That is why we built NiviCap App, not just as a loan platform, but as a holistic, industry-led support system for students and their families. ‘Fast. Fair. Family Approved.’ isn’t just our promise, it’s the commitment that shaped this platform.”.

Birla | Nirvaan Birla on ‘Scaling with Soul’: Balancing Growth and Integrity in Education

In an era where educational institutions are racing to expand across cities and countries, Nirvaan Birla, Managing Director of Birla Open Minds, shared a powerful perspective on the art of growing without losing one’s essence.

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Speaking at the TAISI Conference 2025 in Goa, Birla addressed the theme The Multiplication Challenge: Scaling with Soul,” emphasizing that the success of educational expansion lies not in numbers, but in the ability to replicate a school’s spirit and ethos across every new chapter.

expansion should never come at the cost of identity,” he remarked. “Every new school added to a network should feel like an extension of the same heartbeat, where the mission, values, and spirit remain constant even as the form evolves.”

He explained that for Birla Open Minds, scaling responsibly means aligning people, pedagogy, and purpose. The institution focuses on strengthening leadership pipelines, embedding continuous teacher development programs, and leveraging technology to ensure academic excellence and cultural consistency.

Birla also highlighted how innovation and empathy can coexist in growth journeys. By investing in mentorship models, empowering local school heads, and nurturing communities of practice across campuses, schools can retain their core identity while adapting to regional nuances.

He concluded with an insightful takeaway that moved beyond reflection to action:
“The solution lies in building frameworks that let schools grow like living organisms, rooted in shared values, nourished by collaboration, and evolving with purpose. That’s how we scale with soul.”

IICT Signs MoU with Deakin University at Waves Bazaar During IFFI 2025

IICT

Nov 22: In a major step toward strengthening international academic collaboration, the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deakin University, Australia, during the ongoing Waves Bazaar held alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025.

The MoU was signed under the Australia–India Creative Collaboration initiative in association with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

The MoU reflects the shared vision of IICT and Deakin University to advance innovation, academic excellence, and cross-disciplinary engagement in creative and technology-led education.

“This collaboration strengthens our mission to nurture global talent and push the boundaries of immersive and interactive media education.” Said Vishwas Deoskar, CEO, IICT.

Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate on academic programs, training, and research in creative and applied technologies, including workshops and masterclasses, while promoting student and faculty mobility and working with industry to ensure real-world impact.

Adding to the vibrancy of the event, IICT also hosted a dedicated booth at Waves Bazaar, where delegates were seen engaging in interactive activities and learning more about the institution’s innovative programs and initiatives.