What gives education its true value is not merely the knowledge it imparts, but the wisdom to apply that knowledge for the greater good. At Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, this philosophy connects academic excellence with experiential learning, scientific research and a commitment to societal well-being. This approach received recognition at the 36th World Education Summit India 2026, where the university and its business school were honoured for their contributions to education and innovation.
Held on 12–13 October in Delhi and organised by Elets Technomedia, the summit named Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Outstanding Private University for Academic Achievement, while Amrita School of Business received the Distinguished B-School for Research & Business Innovation award.
These recognitions add to the university’s national and international academic standing. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham secured 8th position among universities in India in the NIRF 2025 rankings, while Amrita School of Business was ranked 26th in the Management category. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027, Amrita also featured among the World’s Top 500 Institutions for research quality, reflecting its contribution to research and the advancement of knowledge.
At the heart of this approach lies the vision of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Chancellor, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), who has consistently emphasised that education must nurture both intellectual development and inner understanding. – “Education should spread light within and without.
“Education should equally develop discernment and contemplation. It should develop the curiosity to know the internal world just as much as it does to know the external world.”
Amma’s vision of holistic education provides the philosophical foundation for Amrita’s efforts to combine academic rigour with practical experience, technological innovation and social responsibility.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For Amrita, education extends beyond textbooks and lecture halls. Through initiatives such as the Live-in-Labs programme, students engage directly with rural communities, understand local challenges and work towards developing practical, community-oriented solutions. The experience encourages students to connect academic knowledge with the realities of everyday life and recognise the wider impact of their work.
Speaking at the summit on 12 October, Prof. Raghu Raman, Dean of Amrita School of Business, highlighted how experiential learning enables students to translate ideas into meaningful action.
– “At Amrita, education extends beyond the classroom. Through our Live-in-Labs programme, students immerse themselves in rural communities, understand real-life challenges, and return with ideas for practical solutions. These ideas are developed into meaningful community projects that create lasting societal impact.”
This philosophy is particularly relevant to business education, where understanding markets, organisations and management must go hand in hand with the ability to address complex challenges. Research-driven learning and practical engagement help students develop the perspective needed to make informed decisions while considering their broader economic and social implications.
The recognition for Amrita School of Business reflects this emphasis on connecting business education with research, innovation and real-world problem-solving.
Preparing Universities for an AI-Led Future
As artificial intelligence transforms industries and the workplace, universities are increasingly challenged to rethink how students learn and prepare for emerging opportunities. The focus is shifting from simply adopting new technologies to using them meaningfully to strengthen understanding, encourage critical thinking and develop practical capabilities.
Prof. Kamal Bijlani, Dean of the School of Artificial Intelligence at Amrita’s Delhi NCR–Faridabad Campus, explored these questions during a panel discussion on “Building the AI-Led University of the Future” on 12 October.
– “AI chatbots can help students develop their initial conceptual understanding, while classroom time can be devoted to deeper discussions, critical thinking, problem-solving and applications. At Amrita’s School of Artificial Intelligence, Delhi NCR–Faridabad Campus, we have introduced project-based learning from the very first year.”
The discussion examined how AI can support teaching, curriculum design and student employability. Amrita’s emphasis on project-based learning reflects the importance of enabling students to move beyond theoretical understanding and apply their knowledge to practical challenges from the early stages of their education.
Research That Serves Society
The university’s approach to research is guided by the belief that scientific discovery and technological innovation can create their greatest value when they address real societal needs.
On 13 October, Prof. Bijlani participated in a session titled “Universities as Engines of Research Innovation and National Progress”, where he highlighted Amrita’s work in disaster management, water management, Virtual Labs and OLabs, sanitation and skill development.
These initiatives demonstrate the potential of universities to contribute beyond academic boundaries by applying research to challenges that affect communities, livelihoods and access to essential resources. From technology-enabled education to disaster resilience and sustainable development, the emphasis remains on translating knowledge into practical outcomes.
This commitment resonates with Amma’s vision of bringing scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom together in the service of humanity. It also reflects the university’s philosophy of Compassionate Research, in which the pursuit of knowledge is connected to a deeper responsibility towards society.
Recognition and Responsibility for the Future
The two awards at the World Education Summit India 2026 recognise complementary dimensions of Amrita’s work: academic achievement across the university and research and business innovation at Amrita School of Business.
Together with its national rankings and international research standing, they reinforce an approach that places academic excellence within a broader framework of experiential learning, innovation and societal contribution.
As India advances towards its vision of Viksit Bharat, universities have an important role in preparing graduates who can combine professional competence with critical thinking, creativity and a sense of responsibility towards society. Amrita’s educational philosophy seeks to bring these qualities together, ensuring that learning and research remain connected to the needs of people and communities.
Ultimately, the significance of education lies not only in what it enables individuals to achieve, but also in how they use their knowledge to contribute to the world around them. At Amrita, this remains a guiding principle in the pursuit of academic excellence, research innovation and a more compassionate future.
