Ahmedabad: The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) has partnered with Navneet Education to strengthen AI Education in Schools through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 9, 2026.
The announcement was made during the AI Impact Summit 2026, marking a significant step toward expanding AI Education in Schools across India through collaborative academic and industry efforts.
The partnership aims to combine IIT Gandhinagar’s academic and technical expertise with Navneet Education’s experience in educational publishing to develop innovative learning resources that make artificial intelligence concepts accessible and relevant for school students nationwide.
By strengthening AI Education in Schools, the collaboration seeks to help young learners build early familiarity with emerging technologies.
The initiative establishes an academic–industry framework to embed AI literacy in school education. With a teacher-first approach, Navneet focuses on preparing educators before large-scale classroom adoption.
Currently, NavneetAI engages with more than 500 schools and over 2,000 teachers across 14 states, supporting the expansion of AI Education in Schools through structured training and educational tools.
During the meeting, representatives from IIT Gandhinagar and Navneet Education discussed strengthening the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in school education.
The collaboration will focus on developing practical learning resources that simplify complex technological concepts for students and promote broader access to AI Education in Schools.
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Prof. Amit Prashant, Dean of External Relations at IIT Gandhinagar, said the collaboration reflects the institute’s commitment to bringing cutting-edge knowledge into school classrooms while strengthening AI Education in Schools across the country.
“Artificial Intelligence is going to play a significant role in the future, and this partnership will help translate academic expertise into engaging learning resources for school students,” he said.
“Whenever a new technology emerges, there is often hesitation initially, but over time it becomes an essential part of our lives. Through this collaboration with Navneet Education, we hope to create learning resources that spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and give students deeper exposure to new ideas in science and technology,” Prof. Amit Prashant added.
Harshil Gala, President of Navneet Education, emphasised the importance of building strong foundations for AI Education in Schools as India prepares for the next phase of technological innovation.
“If India is to dominate the next decade of global AI innovation, the transformation must begin in our classrooms. It begins by empowering teachers and students at scale — with the right tools, the right mindset, and responsible AI.
Our partnership with IIT Gandhinagar is a step towards building that future, where AI strengthens human intelligence rather than replacing it,” he said.
He highlighted the need for educational content that moves beyond theoretical learning and provides real-world context. Gala also stressed the value of collaboration between academic institutions and educational publishers to strengthen AI Education in Schools.
“What we need is a larger shift in the way we approach learning. By bridging technical expertise from institutions like IITs with educational publishing, we can create resources that truly prepare the next generation,” he added.
Gala further underlined the role of education in shaping society.
“The younger generation will build the future of our country. It is important that the learning materials they use help them think critically, build strong foundations, and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
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Prof. Mayank Singh, Jibaben Patel Chair (AI) Professor and Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Gandhinagar, and Coordinator of the Centre for AI-Driven Innovations@IITGN, noted that the initiative will help students connect technology with real-world challenges while advancing AI Education in Schools.
“It is important for students to understand technologies like AI and how they can be used to solve real-world problems,” he said.
“At the same time, the way we introduce technology in education also matters. Learning should not be limited to screens alone, but should encourage curiosity, creativity, and deeper thinking,” he added.
Prof. Singh further noted that the collaboration aims to develop learning material that encourages students to explore emerging technologies and build innovative solutions, strengthening the overall ecosystem for AI Education in Schools.
AI Education in Schools: Five-Pillar Framework
The partnership is designed around five key focus areas to ensure AI Education in Schools becomes practical, credible, and accessible across India.
Teacher Empowerment and Capability Development
Faculty members from IIT Gandhinagar and nominated experts will conduct virtual AI training sessions for school teachers. These sessions aim to demystify AI concepts, strengthen applied understanding, and introduce educators to evolving career pathways within the AI ecosystem. By strengthening teacher competency, the initiative will support effective delivery of AI Education in Schools.
Academic Credentialing of AI Content
Navneet will develop and publish AI-focused textbooks and learning resources tailored for school education. These materials will undergo academic review and credentialing by IIT Gandhinagar experts to ensure conceptual clarity and pedagogical soundness.
A dedicated “IIT Gandhinagar Corner” in the publications will feature expert insights and thought leadership, supporting the development of credible resources for AI Education in Schools.
Student Outreach and Early Exposure
The collaboration includes an annual virtual AI training programme for students from Grades 3 to 10. Delivered by IIT Gandhinagar students, the programme aims to nurture early interest in artificial intelligence and encourage young learners to move from passive technology users to responsible creators, further strengthening AI Education in Schools.
Navneet Product Labs for AI and Automation
Navneet will present live business challenges to IIT Gandhinagar students as part of an industry–academia engagement model. Guided by industry mentors, students will work on solving real-world problems using AI and automation technologies, providing hands-on experience linked to AI Education in Schools.
National-Level AI Hackathon
The two institutions will jointly organise a nationwide AI hackathon to inspire students to build practical AI-driven solutions. The event aims to develop problem-solving capabilities and innovation skills among learners while expanding awareness around AI Education in Schools.
Strengthening the AI Learning Ecosystem
Through this MoU, Navneet Education and IIT Gandhinagar aim to strengthen nation-building through school education. By combining institutional academic expertise with classroom engagement at scale, the partnership seeks to build a sustainable ecosystem for AI Education in Schools, empowering teachers, nurturing young talent, and preparing students in India for a technology-driven future.
