One-day forum at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad focused on student agency, assessment, inclusion, leadership and learning in an interconnected world
Hyderabad: Over 200 school leaders and educators of International Baccalaureate (IB) programme from across India came together at IB Manthan 2026, a one-day forum for professional dialogue, reflection and exchange of educational practices, held at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad. The forum explored key themes including student agency, assessment, inclusion, leadership and learning in an interconnected world.
Held under the theme “Learning Beyond Boundaries: Education for an Interconnected World“, the event invited participants to examine how schools can strengthen student agency, assessment, inclusion and leadership while preparing young people to engage thoughtfully with a rapidly changing world.
The programme opened with the traditional lighting of the lamp and a student performance celebrating the culture and values of the Academy. Dr Ashish Trivedi, Head of South Asia and Japan at the International Baccalaureate, delivered the welcome address. Dr Jonathan Long, Head of Academy, welcomed participants and guests.
Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate, addressed the gathering on the growing relevance of IB education in India and its role in helping young people navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
“There is great value in learning about one’s own community, region and country while also learning about the world and how to engage with it,” Heinonen said. “That’s one reason we see increasing interest in IB programmes in India. They combine academic rigour with inquiry, critical thinking and the ability to apply learning in new situations, helping young people develop the skills, confidence and adaptability to succeed in a rapidly changing world.”
He added: “India’s scale, diversity and ambition mean that the choices it makes in education will have an outsized impact on the world. There is a tremendous opportunity to prepare young people here with strong academic foundations, curiosity, judgment, adaptability and the sense of responsibility needed to help shape a better world.”
Across two rounds of breakout sessions, participants considered themes including student agency, assessment, inclusion, leadership and the development of interconnected school communities. Sessions combined discussion of educational principles with close examination of classroom practice.
One session, When Learners Lead Their Learning: From Passion and Purpose to Action and Impact, explored how schools can create the conditions for students to take meaningful ownership of their learning. Another, They Got the Answer. Did Their Thinking Change?, used authentic student responses to consider how assessment can reveal changes in perspective, conceptual understanding and thinking, rather than focusing only on whether an answer is correct.
Two afternoon panel discussions Learner Perspectives and Leadership and Implementation brought together educators, IB graduates, professionals and educational leaders. The panels considered both the longer-term influence of an IB education and the practical work required to translate educational vision into sustained practice.
The event concluded with participants reflecting on ideas and strategies they could take back to their schools, together with new professional connections across the IB community. The name “Manthan“, meaning a process of churning or deep reflection, captured the event’s emphasis on questioning established approaches and turning shared learning into action.
