SPEAKERS
AGENDA

Agenda of the event

Friday, February 6th, 2026
Venue: Deshpande Foundation, BVB Campus, Hubballi

Time
Session
06:30 – 16:00
Social Immersion Visit Akshaya Patra + the Deshpande Ecosystem
16:00 – 17:30
Tea and Refreshments
INAUGURAL CEREMONY
17:30 – 17:40
Invocation song
Dr. Jaishree Deshpande & Team Co-founder, Deshpande Foundation
17:30 – 18:00
Welcome & Context Setting
Dr. Gururaj “Desh” Deshpande Co-founder, Deshpande Foundation
18:00 – 18:30
Special Invitees’ Speak
Dr. B. V. R. Mohan Reddy Padmashree Awardee & Founder, Cyient
Dr. Pankaj Mittal Secretary, Association of Indian Universities
18:30 – 19:00
Address by the CEOs Deshpande Foundation, Deshpande Startups & Deshpande Skilling
19:00 – 19:30
Informal Introduction of Speakers
19:30 – 21:00
Dinner with Delegates

SKILL DIALOGUE

Saturday, February 7th, 2026
Venue: Royal Ritz Hotel & Deshpande Skilling, Airport Road, Hubballi

Time
Session
09:45 – 10:00
Welcome & Context Setting
KEYNOTE PANEL
10:00 – 10:45
Catalyzing Collective Impact Leadership, Governance & Policy Enablers for Future-ready Education
Dr. E. V. Ramanareddy IAS (Retd) Additional Chief Secretary to Hon. CM, Karnataka
Sri Rajan Advisory Board Member, The Convergence Foundation
Dr. Gururaj “Desh” Deshpande Co-founder, Deshpande Foundation
Moderator:
Prof. Sushil Vachani EdTech Advisor & Former Director, IIM Bangalore
10:45 – 11:00
Experience Sharing by Star Alumni – SkillPlus
11:00 – 12:00
Reimagining Higher Education for Industry-Ready Graduates
Prof. C. M. Thyagaraja Vice Chancellor, Rani Channamma University, Belagavi
Prof. A. M. Khan Vice Chancellor, Karnataka University, Dharwad
Prof. Shashikant S. Udikeri Vice Chancellor, Gulbarga University, Kalaburagi
Capt. Shanthi Infosys
Moderator:
P. N. Nayak CEO & Managing Trustee, Deshpande Educational Trust
12:00 – 12:15
Pilot Report Presentation – FESMA-RCU
Mr. Santosh Kamagouda Registrar, Rani Chennamma University, Belagavi
12:15 – 12:30
Experience Sharing by JNV Alumni
Dr. Nischit Young Scientist, ISRO & JNV Alumnus
Prof. Himabindhu Professor, IIT-H & JNV Alumnus
12:30 – 13:30
Parallel Sessions

Building Thriving Partnerships between Academia & Work

Prof. B. D. Kumbar VC, Davangere University
Dr. Suresh H. Jangamashetti VC, Haveri University
Vinod Beli Co Founder, PGC Digital and Pradeep IT Private Ltd.
Rameswaran Chandrasekaran Founder Skywaves Rise
Moderator:
Yogesh Bhat Chief Strategy Officer, Deshpande Educational Trust

Scope of Partnerships for Scale & Impact

Dr. Nagasubramanya Co-founder, Vonisha Foundation
Mr. Krishna Mulay Director, Janashikshana Trust
Mr. Ragu Ramanujam Head State Program & Advocacy Lead (SwaTaleem Foundation)
Dr. M B Shaikh Chairman, (Southern Region) Rayat Sikshana Sanstha
Dr. Ishwar Ullagaddi KAS Additional Commissioner, School Education, Dharwad
Mr. Harish M H Deputy Director, Skill In Village Program
Moderator:
Rennis Joseph CEO and Founder of Ignis Careers Pvt Ltd.
13:30 – 14:30
Lunch
14:30 – 15:30
Special cultural program for students (Anugraha Hall - Royal Ritiz)
15:30 – 16:30
Call for Action (Seminar Hall – DET)
16:00 – 17:00
Educational session: The 4 levels of social impact by Yashveer Singh, Executive Director, Ashoka Young Changemakers (Magnolia Hall - Royal Ritiz)
17:00 – 18:00
Tea & Refreshments
18:00 – 18:45
Musical Evening – Open Air Amphitheatre
18:45 – 19:30
Sharing of Triumphant Journeys by Young Achievers
19:30 – 21:00
Dinner & the Promise to Meet Again