Artificial intelligence, job uncertainty and growing campus unrest are prompting questions about whether India’s education system is preparing students for the future. At India Today Conclave 2026, South, in Kochi, edupreneur Aisshwarya D K S Hegde and Vellore Institute of Technology Assistant Vice-President Kadhambari S Viswanathan discussed how classrooms can better connect degrees with jobs.
Viswanathan attributed student dissatisfaction to academic pressure, burnout, mental health concerns and a mismatch between students’ expectations and institutional support. She said AI has added to anxiety about future employment, making it important for institutions to build trust and address students’ needs.
Hegde said education must move beyond teaching students to solve given problems and help them identify the right questions. She stressed communication skills and AI literacy, arguing that students should learn to use AI to strengthen their knowledge rather than feel compelled to become experts in the technology.
Both speakers called for flexible curricula and closer industry-academia partnerships, including internships and opportunities for teachers to gain industry experience. Viswanathan cited VIT’s flexible credit system, which allows students to complete coursework over three to five years.
They also stressed the need to invest in teachers, fill vacancies and provide training to help educators adapt to AI and changing classroom needs.