The 7th Annual Education Conclave 2024, organised by The Education Committee of The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, took place on Friday, 20th September 2024, at Taj Bengal, Kolkata. The theme was "Synergy – Bridging the Gap between School Education and Higher Education," focusing on the new 5+3+3+4 curriculum structure.

The day began with a welcome address by Mr. Gautam Ray, President of The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President - Corporate, RPSG Group, who set the tone for a day of insightful discussions on the evolving education landscape. Mr. Simarpreet Singh, Co-Chairperson of the Education Committee and Director of JIS Group, followed with special remarks and provided a comprehensive context for the day's sessions. The inaugural session featured a keynote by Padma Shri Professor (Dr.) Ajoy Kumar Ray, Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies & Research at JIS University. He shared his expertise on education reforms, shedding light on the need for interdisciplinary learning and innovation. The opening keynote address was delivered by Prof. VMSR Murthy, Director of IIESTS, Howrah, who discussed the significance of adapting educational methodologies to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.

The first panel session, "Building Foundations: Insights into the 5+3+3+4 Curriculum," was moderated by Ms. Rupkatha Sarkar, Principal of La Martiniere for Girls. The panel featured insights from Ms. Apala Dutta, Principal of Birla Bharti School, Ms. Sonali Sarkar, Principal of Mahadevi Birla Sishu Bihar, Ms. Amita Prasad, Educationist, and Ms. Aakanksha Kaur, Director of JIS Group of Schools. The speakers provided a detailed analysis of the new curriculum, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to education that integrates foundational learning, experiential learning, and the development of life skills.

The second panel session, "Higher Education in The 21st Century: Adapting to Change," was moderated by Professor Dr. Suman Kumar Mukerjee, Director General of The Bhawanipur Education Society College. Speakers included Prof. Dr. Dhubojyoti Chattopadhyay, Vice-Chancellor of Sister Nivedita University, Prof. Anupam Basu, Director and Raja Ramanna Chair Professor at Jadavpur University, and Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Kumar Sinha, Principal of Om Dayal Institute. Dr. Jhilam Rudra De, Principal of Kingston School of Management and Sciences, also contributed to the discussion.

The post lunch session, "Beyond the Books: Prioritizing Mental Wellness," was led by Dr. Rima Mukherjee, Senior Consultant and Lead Psychiatrist, Founder Director of Crystal Minds. Dr. Mukherjee emphasized the growing importance of mental health in education and the need for institutions to prioritize student well-being alongside academic achievements. Her session was followed by a lively Q&A, where participants engaged in discussions on how schools and universities can create a supportive environment for mental wellness.

The final expert session was presented by Mr. Suchindra Kumar, Partner and Sector Leader for the Education Sector at PricewaterhouseCoopers India.

The conclave concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Abhijit Chatterjee, Chairman & CEO of Ascensive Educare Pvt Ltd, who expressed gratitude to all the speakers, participants, partners and organizers for making the event a success.