TLDR: Educators from 87 schools gathered in Kolkata for The Times NIE Principals’ Seminar, held in association with Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology. The seminar focused on ‘Education Rewired: Integrating Engineering, liberal arts and AI for Future,’ discussing the challenges and the path forward for school education in the age of artificial intelligence.
Kolkata, July 16, 2025 – A significant dialogue on the future of education unfolded in Kolkata as The Times NIE Principals’ Seminar, in collaboration with Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, brought together 95 educators from 87 schools. Held on July 3 at a city hotel, the seminar addressed the critical theme: ‘Education Rewired: Integrating Engineering, liberal arts and AI for Future.’
The event served as a vital platform for school principals and academic stalwarts to engage in a healthy discussion on the evolving challenges within the education sector and to chart a progressive course for school-level learning. The discussions underscored the imperative of fostering a holistic educational environment that seamlessly blends technological advancements, particularly in Artificial Intelligence, with the foundational principles of liberal arts.
Prof. Padmakumar Nair, Vice-Chancellor of Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, was a prominent figure at the seminar, engaging directly with students who attended to satiate their curiosities about AI. Prof. Nair patiently addressed their queries, highlighting the growing relevance of AI in various fields.
The seminar also featured notable personalities from other domains, with Sidhu, the acclaimed frontman of the Bengali rock band Cactus, gracing the event as the Chief Guest, and actor, singer, and dancer Malabika Sen as the Guest of Honour.
A key highlight of the seminar was the insightful panel discussion, which included Prof. Anirban Mukherjee, Principal in-charge of RCC Institute of Information Technology; National award-winning filmmaker Ashoke Viswanathan; Abhijan Bhattacharyya, Senior Scientist at Network Solutions & Services unit of TCS; and Prof. Nair himself. The panellists delved into strategies for establishing a robust AI ecosystem essential for societal progress, emphasizing the integration of experiential learning.
Prof. Mukherjee articulated the necessity of introducing AI at the school level, stressing that such an introduction should be geared towards cultivating critical thinking skills among students, thereby fostering a deeper awareness and appreciation for AI’s capabilities and implications. Echoing this sentiment, filmmaker Ashoke Viswanathan drew a compelling parallel between the use of large language models like ChatGPT and an open-book examination. He posited that to effectively counter students’ reliance on these tools for superficial answers, educators must devise questions that genuinely stimulate critical thinking and analytical reasoning, moving beyond rote memorization.
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The seminar concluded with a collective understanding among the educators that the integration of AI and liberal arts is not merely an academic exercise but a fundamental shift required to prepare students for a future where adaptability, critical thinking, and a broad understanding of humanistic principles will be paramount.
