Campus unrest, uncertainty over jobs and the growing influence of artificial intelligence are forcing educational institutions to rethink how they prepare 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 why Indian classrooms need to move beyond traditional teaching and connect learning more closely with real-world challenges.
WHY STUDENTS ARE LOSING TRUST
Viswanathan said campus dissatisfaction stems from several factors, including an expectation mismatch between students and institutions, academic pressure, mental health concerns and uncertainty about employment.
She said students are reaching college already experiencing burnout, after years of academic workloads, coaching and extracurricular activities.
Artificial intelligence has added another layer of uncertainty, with students questioning whether their degrees will prepare them for jobs or whether technology could replace them.
Institutions must also improve mental health support, inclusivity and communication, she said, adding that trust between students and universities is essential to addressing these concerns.
STOP TEACHING ANSWERS, START ASKING QUESTIONS
For Hegde, the problem begins much earlier, with classrooms focusing on solving problems rather than teaching students how to identify them.
“Life works in identifying the problem first and then solving,” she said.
She argued that communication is among the most important skills students need, particularly as AI changes how people learn and work.
Students do not necessarily need to become AI experts, she said, but must become AI-literate and learn to use the technology to strengthen their knowledge.
Hegde also called for greater flexibility in curricula, allowing institutions to work with industries and introduce students to real-world challenges from their first semester.
DEGREES NEED ROOM TO BREATHE
Viswanathan cited VIT’s fully flexible credit system, introduced in 2008, which allows students to complete coursework in three years or spread it over five.
Some students use the flexibility to finish early and pursue longer internships, while others take additional time to accommodate personal circumstances.
Both speakers called for stronger industry-academia partnerships, including internships for students and opportunities for faculty members to work with companies.
BETTER TEACHERS, NOT JUST BETTER BUILDINGS
Hegde said institutions must prepare students not just for their first jobs, but for the changing demands of their careers. She also called for greater investment in teachers, arguing that their role goes beyond delivering knowledge.
“Give the best teacher,” she said, stressing that motivation and self-belief can make a lasting difference to students, particularly in rural schools.
Viswanathan added that filling vacant teaching positions and upskilling existing teachers for the AI age must be priorities.
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