Prof. Durgesh Pant Illuminates Future Pathways for Resilient Campuses at NSIL 2025
At the National Summit of Institutional Leaders (NSIL) 2025, held under the inspiring theme “Inspiring Visionary Leaders, Shaping Institutions, and Building a Vibrant Viksit Bharat,” Prof. Durgesh Pant, Director General of the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), delivered a powerful and eye-opening lecture. His talk on Developing Resilient and Future Campuses captivated an audience of institutional leaders, academicians, researchers, and humanists alike.
Prof. Pant began by emphasizing India’s pivotal role in shaping 21st-century education. “India is poised to lead global education reforms,” he remarked, drawing inspiration from the Delor’s Report. He elaborated on its four essential pillars:
- Learn to know (Gyanyog): The pursuit of knowledge for personal and societal growth.
- Learn to do (Karmyog): Empowering individuals through practical skills.
- Learn to live together (Sahyog): Fostering a spirit of cooperation and harmony.
- Learn to be (Atamgyan): The realization of one’s true self, a cornerstone of holistic education in Bharat.
Addressing Present Challenges
Prof. Pant highlighted the unprecedented challenges we face in the modern era. “Never in the history of mankind have inorganic systems, like artificial intelligence, had such an overpowering influence on human decision-making,” he observed. Stress, insecurity, and uncertainty have become omnipresent in today’s fast-paced world. “We are living in times when the world is trying to humanize machines and mechanize humans,” he added, pointing to the dangerous disconnect between technological advances and human values.
Resilience and Future Readiness: The Way Forward
He then shifted focus to the solutions that can guide educational institutions towards resilience and future readiness. Prof. Pant advocated for an inclusive, transparent, open, integrated, and interconnected ecosystem—a framework that promotes collaboration across disciplines and institutions. By building strong, interconnected communities, we can develop campuses that are better equipped to face future challenges.
Bharat’s Path to Regaining Its Glory
Prof. Pant’s message wasn’t just about overcoming present challenges but also about reclaiming India’s historical position as a global leader in education and innovation. He stressed the need to develop, promote, and strengthen robust infrastructure, foster grassroots innovation, and pursue global collaboration. This, he argued, is the pathway for Bharat to once again regain its lost glory.
In conclusion, Prof. Pant’s lecture was a clarion call to institutional leaders to embrace a holistic and resilient approach to education. His visionary insights left the audience motivated to shape the future of Indian education and contribute to building a vibrant and Viksit Bharat.
