2025 did not unfold as a year of incremental reform, it marked a moment of reckoning for higher education in India and across the world. As artificial intelligence moved from experimentation to everyday reality, long-standing assumptions around teaching, assessment, employability and institutional relevance came under intense scrutiny. Universities were no longer debating whether to change, but how fast they could adapt without losing academic depth, purpose, or public trust.Against this backdrop, ETEducation convened a series of deep, exclusive conversations with global academic leaders, policymakers, and institutional heads who were not merely responding to disruption, but actively shaping the next chapter of education. These dialogues moved beyond trend-spotting. They challenged legacy mindsets, questioned the limits of traditional curricula, and outlined new frameworks for learning, leadership and global engagement.Here is a curated look back at the most impactful written interviews of 2025 — conversations that didn’t just reflect the education moment, but helped define it.Thought Leadership in Focus: Written Interviews That Defined 20251. AI Isn’t the Threat—Outdated Teaching Methods AreMichael M Crow, President, Arizona State University (ASU)Michael M Crow argued that artificial intelligence is not the real disruptor facing universities—rigid academic structures are. He made a compelling case for adaptive, impact-driven institutions that prioritise learner outcomes, societal relevance, and continuous innovation over legacy models.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/ai-isnt-the-threatoutdated-teaching-methods-are-insights-from-michael-m-crow-president-of-asu/1185335382. Business Education Must Outpace the Speed of ChangeRishikesha T Krishnan, Director, IIM BangaloreIn this wide-ranging conversation, Prof Krishnan emphasised that management education must evolve faster than the environments it prepares leaders for. He highlighted the need for entrepreneurial thinking, global awareness, and strong institutional autonomy to keep Indian business schools future-ready.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/business-education-must-outpace-the-speed-of-change-rishikesha-t-krishnan-director-iim-bangalore/1174812023. Empowering Tech Innovation: The Role of IITs in Shaping India’s IT FutureDr Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Bombay and IIT JammuLeaders from India’s premier IITs discussed how these institutions are transitioning from elite teaching centres to global innovation hubs. The interview spotlighted research leadership, industry collaboration, and the IITs’ expanding role in shaping India’s digital and technological ambitions.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/empowering-tech-innovation-the-role-of-iits-in-shaping-indias-it-future/1173229564. When Push Comes to Shove, It’s the Thinkers Who LeadDishan Kamdar, Vice Chancellor, Flame UniversityThis reflective interview explored leadership resilience during disruption. Kamdar underscored the importance of deep thinking, strategic clarity, and values-led decision-making—arguing that institutions led by thinkers, not just managers, are better equipped to navigate uncertainty.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/when-push-comes-to-shove-its-the-thinkers-who-lead-insights-from-dishan-kamdar/1172318595. Educating for an Uncertain FutureDr Kiran Pai, Managing Director, Vidyashilp Education GroupThis conversation focused on preparing learners not just for exams, but for ambiguity, adaptability, and lifelong learning—calling for a shift from content-heavy instruction to capability-driven education.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/higher-education/educating-for-an-uncertain-future-md-vidyashilp-education-group-speaks/1255596086. Every Child Must Graduate Future-Ready, Not Just Exam-ReadyMelissa Thomas-Hunt, Senior Associate Dean at the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, USAThis global perspective reinforced the idea that education systems must prioritise skills, critical thinking, and adaptability over test performance—echoing a growing international consensus on holistic learning outcomes.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/higher-education/every-child-must-graduate-future-ready-not-just-exam-ready-claims-university-of-virginia-us/1242524177. India–UAE Academic Diplomacy and the Future of CollaborationHis Excellency Shr Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAEThis interview highlighted the growing role of education diplomacy, with India and the UAE deepening collaboration in higher education, research, and student mobility as part of broader geopolitical and economic ties.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/higher-education/india-uae-academic-diplomacy-ambassador-sunjay-sudhir-discusses-higher-education-collaboration/1230943388. Madhya Pradesh’s Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047Shri Rajendra Shukla, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Minister for Medical Education as well as Public Health and Family WelfareA policy-focused discussion examining how state-led reforms in health and education are being aligned with India’s long-term development goals, highlighting the role of governance in education transformation.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/madhya-pradeshs-vision-for-viksit-bharat-2047-health-and-education-transformation/1236735279. Global Education Transformation Through Dual Degrees & InclusionDr Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor of Symbiosis International (Deemed) University, PuneDr Yeravdekar spoke about internationalisation at home, dual-degree models, inclusivity, and how Indian institutions can offer globally relevant education without losing local context.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/higher-education/global-education-transformation-dr-vidya-yeravdekar-on-dual-degrees-and-inclusivity-in-higher-education/12323001510. India and the UK: Co-Creating the Future of Global EducationProfessor Hugh Brady, President, Imperial College LondonThis interview explored collaborative research, academic exchange, and shared innovation agendas between Indian and UK institutions—signalling a shift from transactional partnerships to co-creation.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/higher-education/india-and-the-uk-co-creating-the-future-of-global-education-and-research/12047330411. Empowering Indian Students for a Global FutureElizabeth Sullivan, Assistant Vice President, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), New YorkThe conversation focused on preparing Indian students for global careers through applied learning, industry integration, and international exposure.Read the full interview:https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/higher-education/empowering-indian-students-for-a-global-future-a-conversation-with-rochester-institute-of-technology-rit-new-york/120920903Looking aheadTaken together, these interviews reflect a sector in deep transition — one questioning legacy models while actively experimenting with new frameworks of learning, leadership, and global engagement.2025 will be remembered as the year education leaders moved from conversation to conviction — laying the groundwork for a more agile, inclusive, and future-ready education ecosystem.
Published On Dec 30, 2025 at 08:39 AM IST
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