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Scaling higher education for the next decade: Lessons from India’s digital learning journey 

Explore how institutions can build future-ready online learning models that balance scale, quality, and innovation.

July 2026

Higher Education

60 minutes

Speakers

Anirban B. Roy

Chief Revenue Officer, Mercer Mettl

Rajiv Tandon

Chief Executive Officer, BITS Pilani Digital

Sonali Kadam

Director, Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning

Sheeba Chauhan

Senior Associate – Content and Community, ETEducation, The Economic Times

Ram Kumar Kakani

Vice Chancellor, RV University

Overview

 

As industries evolve rapidly under the influence of digital transformation, AI, and emerging technologies, organizations are increasingly seeking a workforce equipped with future-ready skills. It is only natural that the demand for upskilling, reskilling, and continuous professional learning is at an all-time high.

Mercer and ETEducation bring together leading voices from academia and the online education ecosystem to explore practical strategies, emerging trends, and real-world experiences that can help institutions build sustainable and scalable online learning models.

What you’ll learn:

Why India needs scalable online learning models.

Responsible AI and its power to scale online education.

The future of assessments and academic integrity in an AI-driven world.

How institutions must prepare for the next decade of online learning in India.

India’s online learning ecosystem is at an inflection point, driven largely by the growing need for workforce upskilling and reskilling. This shift is transforming higher education from a linear, ‘degree-first’ pathway into a continuous learning model, where people at all career stages return to build new, relevant skills.

Learners expect flexibility—when, where, and how they learn—without compromising quality or outcomes. They want education directly relevant to their goals and expect institutions to deliver efficient, outcome-driven experiences that respect their time.

AI is reshaping online learning with more personalized learning journeys and streamlined course creation tailored to specific learner needs. It also supports learners through guidance and assistance, while helping institutions develop curricula more efficiently.

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