Madhya Pradesh’s education story is entering a new phase.
The conversation is no longer limited to expanding access or building institutions. It is increasingly about how education can respond to a changing economy, rapidly advancing technology and a workforce that will require skills beyond traditional degrees.
That is the conversation EDNXT Bhopal 2026 will bring to the centre stage on 19 August 2026 at Taj Lakefront, Bhopal.
The 8th edition of the EDNXT summit series by ETEducation will be held under the theme “The Heart of India Powering Education, Skills & Tech”, bringing together policymakers, university leaders, academic decision-makers, industry experts and innovators to examine the forces shaping the future of education and talent.
Why EDNXT Bhopal matters now
Madhya Pradesh is home to a large and evolving higher education ecosystem, with more than 28+ lakh students enrolled in higher education. The state is also witnessing wider conversations around employability, skills, technology adoption and the implementation of NEP 2020.For institutions, the central question is becoming increasingly complex: how can education systems prepare students not just for today’s jobs, but for an economy that is changing faster than traditional academic models?
EDNXT Bhopal will place this question at the centre of discussions around higher education, skills, AI, industry collaboration and institutional transformation.
A government and academic leadership gathering
The summit will feature Shri Vishvas Kailash Sarang, Hon’ble Minister for Cooperatives and Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, as the Guest of Honour.
His presence brings an important state-level perspective to conversations around education, skills, youth development and the future of Madhya Pradesh’s talent ecosystem.
Dr Anil Kothari, Director General, Madhya Pradesh Council for Science and Technology, will join as the Special Guest, bringing a perspective on science, technology and innovation that is central to the state’s future-ready development.
The summit will also bring together senior academic leaders from across the country, including:
- Narendra Nahata, Former Minister and Chancellor, Mandsaur University
- Dr Sudha Malaiya, Chancellor, Eklavya University
- Dr Sandeep Arora, Chancellor, Kalinga University
- Purushottamdas Pasari, Chancellor, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya
- Prof Madhulika Kaushik, Vice Chancellor, Usha Martin University
- Prof Atul Bharat, Group Director, Acropolis Group of Institutions
- Dr Anshuman Jaswal, Director, SVKM’s NMIMS Deemed-to-be-University, Indore
- Dr Himanshu Jain, Director, Prestige Education Foundation and Prestige Industries, Indore
And many more distinguished education leaders.
For the complete list of speakers, visit: EDNXT Bhopal 2026The leadership gathering reflects the wider question at the heart of the summit: how can institutions move from discussing transformation to actually implementing it?
What will be discussed at EDNXT Bhopal 2026?
From degrees to employability
As employers increasingly seek skills that go beyond academic qualifications, one of the key conversations will focus on the relationship between degrees, practical skills and employability.
The discussion will examine how universities can strengthen industry collaboration, experiential learning and the connection between academic learning and the world of work.
NEP 2020: From policy to practice
The implementation of NEP 2020 remains one of the most significant transformation agendas for Indian higher education.
The focus now is shifting from the policy itself to the question of implementation: how are institutions translating multidisciplinary learning, flexibility and new academic models into actual student experiences?
AI and the future of universities
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing teaching, research, assessment and institutional decision-making.
The important question is no longer simply whether universities should adopt AI. It is how institutions can use AI responsibly while ensuring that students and faculty develop the judgement, creativity and capabilities that technology cannot replace.
Building the talent pipeline
For Madhya Pradesh, the education conversation is closely linked to the future of its young population and workforce.
The summit will examine how universities, policymakers and industry can work together to create stronger pathways from education to skills, employment, entrepreneurship and innovation.
What can attendees expect?
EDNXT Bhopal 2026 will feature a day of leadership conversations, panel discussions, fireside exchanges and networking opportunities involving more than 200 education leaders and decision-makers.
The summit will bring together more than 50 speakers and feature 15+ knowledge sessions exploring education transformation, AI adoption, employability, skills integration, digital learning and industry-aligned education.
But beyond the numbers, the larger objective is to create a space where education leaders can engage with one of the most important questions facing the sector today:
What should the next generation of education in Madhya Pradesh look like?
The conversation ahead
The future of education will not be shaped by technology alone.
It will depend on how institutions respond to AI, how universities connect learning with employment, how educators adapt to changing student needs and how policymakers, academia and industry work together to build a stronger talent pipeline.
That is the larger conversation EDNXT Bhopal 2026 seeks to bring to the forefront.
On 19 August 2026, education leaders from across the country will gather in Bhopal to discuss not only where education is headed, but what institutions must do now to prepare for what comes next.
EDNXT Bhopal 2026 will take place on 19 August 2026 at Taj Lakefront, Bhopal.
