Birla Global University and Microsoft Research India Organize Joint Conclave on Innovation and Research

Bhubaneswar, March 9, 2026 — In an important step toward preparing Odisha’s higher education system for the artificial intelligence era, Birla Global University (BGU) partnered with Microsoft Research India to host a one-day Leadership Conclave titled “Transformation of Higher Education in the Age of AI.” The event drew academic leaders from 26 universities and colleges across the state, creating a platform for candid discussions on how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and institutional structures.

Participants examined the limitations of traditional early education models and how AI tools are fundamentally altering the delivery of knowledge. Conversations emphasized the need for ethical AI integration—ensuring fairness, accountability, and inclusivity—while promoting cross-disciplinary approaches and collaborative learning environments that better prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

A major outcome of the conclave was broad support for the Odisha University Compact, a proposed federated framework designed to foster cooperation among institutions while preserving each one’s autonomy. Under this model, universities could share academic resources, facilitate faculty exchanges, and establish interdisciplinary working groups. Students would gain greater flexibility by earning credits across partner institutions, enabling a more modular and personalized higher education experience.

The Compact aligns closely with the Ekalavya Model, which blends AI-driven innovations with modern pedagogical methods such as project-based and portfolio-based learning. This approach recognizes incremental achievements through micro-credentials, allowing students to accumulate credits from short modules and practical tasks. Proponents argue these elements modernize conventional systems by prioritizing skill development, collaboration, and continuous academic growth in an AI-influenced landscape.

The program featured technical insights and forward-looking perspectives from key speakers. Dr. Manohar Swaminathan, Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research India, led workshops on the Pluriversity Compact concept and introduced participants to advanced Agentic AI systems. He explored their potential to transform curricula design and create more adaptive, personalized learning environments that respond to individual student needs.

Deewakar Gupta from KPMG India provided context on the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding AI applications in education and the workforce, highlighting compliance challenges and opportunities for responsible adoption.

Academic voices included Prof. Rangin P. Tripathy, Registrar at National Law University Odisha; Prof. Sridevi Guda, Pro-Vice Chancellor at Centurion University of Technology and Management; and Dr. Sanjay Kuanar, Dean of the School of Engineering at BGU. Industry perspectives came from Puspak Patro, CEO of Dynamicweb (Singapore), and Dr. Saiprasanna Behera of CRO Pharma Trendz, who stressed the growing demand for AI-literate graduates and the necessity of tighter academia-industry linkages to align curricula with real-world skill requirements.

The day also celebrated student innovation through the “Agents for Academia” Hackathon award ceremony, where participants showcased creative AI applications aimed at improving various aspects of the education ecosystem—from administrative efficiency to inclusive classroom tools.

The conclave wrapped up with the establishment of a dedicated collaborative working group tasked with translating these ideas into actionable reforms. This initiative positions Birla Global University to lead efforts in building a research-oriented, AI-integrated education system that remains competitive and responsive to future demands.

By bringing together diverse stakeholders—academics, researchers, regulators, and industry professionals—the event underscored a shared recognition: AI is no longer a distant disruptor but an active force requiring thoughtful, collective adaptation in Odisha’s higher education sector. The steps initiated here could set a regional precedent for collaborative, technology-enabled learning models across India.