Udaipur, Vidya Bhavan Society, in collaboration with Hearth Advisors, concluded its three-day educational conference, ‘SEED 2.0: For Sustaining Futures’, held from November 1 to 3. The conference was organised with the support of JSW Energy and Viva Foundation to explore the future of education in a rapidly changing global environment and examine ways to integrate environmental conservation, technological advancement, employment opportunities and human values into the education system.
A total of 33 participants from 22 institutions across the country attended the conference and engaged in six major sessions focusing on future education, the environment, food systems, technology, employment and human values. Participants also visited Vidya Bhavan’s Prakriti Sadhana Kendra and Krishi Vigyan Kendra as part of the educational programme.
At Prakriti Sadhana Kendra, retired forest officer and environmentalist Dr. Satish Sharma and Dr. Ramneek Lal Shreemal shared their perspectives on nature-based education and environmental conservation. They described the centre as a living laboratory where students can gain first-hand knowledge of plants, wildlife, ecosystems and food chains through practical experiences.
During discussions on future food systems, Dr. Praful Bhatnagar, Senior Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, explained the centre's activities related to agriculture, nursery management, dairy and animal husbandry. He highlighted the importance of integrated pest management, integrated farming systems, natural and organic farming, and scientific dairy management. He said that Krishi Vigyan Kendras could serve as excellent platforms for experiential learning, enabling students to understand agricultural practices through hands-on exposure. Participants also visited various demonstration units to gain practical insights.
Dr. Atoho Jakhalu from the Climate Change Centre in Nagaland shared an initiative undertaken by his institution to promote environmental awareness among children. He said the centre had facilitated the inclusion of the locally relevant theme ‘Pani-Pahad’ in the school curriculum in the local language.
The sessions, conducted under the guidance of Vidya Bhavan's Education Advisor Shashank Veera, also explored the impact of artificial intelligence and technological advancements on education. Discussions covered teaching methodologies, examination and assessment systems, and emerging employment opportunities. Speakers emphasised the need to develop independent thinking, creativity and decision-making abilities among students while encouraging the responsible use of technology.
On the concluding day, participants worked in groups and presented recommendations and action plans on themes including ecology and environmental education, future food systems, technology and teaching methodologies, and sports, health and employment.
Addressing the concluding session, Vidya Bhavan Society President Dr. Jitendra Kumar Tayalia said collaborative efforts and the exchange of ideas among institutions were essential for the holistic development of students. He stressed the importance of sharing the conference's experiences and recommendations with a wider network of educational institutions.
Chief Coordinator and former IAS officer Rajendra Bhatt thanked all participants and supporting organisations for their contributions. He called for continuing such initiatives to encourage innovation in education and support the overall development of students.