“In such a world, the last thing a teacher needs to give her pupils is more information. They already have too much of it. Instead, people need the ability to make sense of information, to tell the difference between what is important and what is not, and above all to combine many bits of information into a broad picture of the world” -Yuva Harari
With such widescale lockdown, elementary, and secondary schools need to adapt to online education. More interestingly, a significant % of students in countries like India are experiencing online learning for the first time, adjusting to the new normal.
If COVID-19 can turn around our education system, that helps the next generation attain the cognitive flexibility and curiosity to see the world from a range of different perspectives, it will be a black swan moment.
About the Speakers:
- Aakash Chaudhry, PGP Co '04; CEO and Director at Aakash Educational Services Ltd. (AESL); Founder and Trustee at Plaksha University.
With extensive experience in business management, he leads the senior management team and is responsible for the overall supervision, direction, and management of AESL. Prior to this, he worked with Infosys Technologies and Cognizant Technology Solutions. In 2018, he was recognized as one of the disruptive leaders by Business World and was listed among the coveted "40 Under 40" young leaders list. Also, an alumni of Harvard Business School, Aakash is an engineer by profession with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences. - Tummala Naga Prasad, PGPMAX Co '12; Chairman and Co-founder at People Combine Group. Previously known as Vikas Educational Institutions, the group started Oakridge International School, Andhra Pradesh’s (AP) first IB world school in Hyderabad in 2001. The group started another chain of schools called Westberry in 2010, followed by a playschool chain called Oi, in 2011. Times of India recognized Tummala and his partner as the ‘Game Changers’ of AP and India Today awarded the partners with the title ‘Business Wizards’ of AP.
- Mayank Kumar, PGP Co '09; Co-Founder and MD at upGrad. upGrad is an online education venture focused on targeting working professionals. He has 10 years of operations, investment, and consulting experience in the education sector across India, China, SE Asia and Latin America. He has been part of investments over USD 1 bn flowing into the education sector in emerging markets. Prior to this, he worked with Bertelsmann India Investments, Parthenon Group and Tata Strategic.
About the Moderator: - Rakesh Gupta, PGP Co '09; Managing Partner- LoEstro Advisors LLP. Rakesh is seasoned education sector specialist with over 8+ years of experience in education sector and has extensively advised clients across the education spectrum on market entry and expansion strategy, business planning, fund raise and M&A. He has advised more than 25+ clients and has raised more than USD 500 mn of funds for various businesses. He has more than 15 years of experience in technology, consulting, fundraising and M&A. Prior to this he has worked with McKinsey and Company, Microsoft and People Combine.
