9th International Principals' Educational Conference (IPEC-2026) begins at IIM Nagpur on October 22
Vidarbha Schools News Desk
Published October 21, 2026
NAGPUR: The 9th International Principals' Educational Conference (IPEC-2026) will be held from October 22 to 24, 2026, at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), MIHAN, Nagpur.
The conference brings together principals of institutions from across India to discuss how schools can understand and teach today's students. This year's theme is "Understanding WOW (World of Wonderful) Generations – Bridging Insights and Innovations."
The inaugural function will be held on October 22 at 9 a.m. Prof Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode, will be the chief guest. Padma Shri awardee and artist Vasudeo Kamath, entrepreneur Karnail Singh Cheema and Dr Bhimraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, will be the guests of honour.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will be the chief guest at the valedictory function on October 24 at 9 a.m. Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, Minister of State, School Education (Govt of Maharashtra), and actor, director and former MP Dr Nitish Bharadwaj will be the guests of honour.
Over the first two days, keynote addresses will be delivered by Prof Chatterjee, conference convener Dr Mrunalini Dasture, educationist and writer Dr Mala Palani, teacher facilitator Sanjana Kapoor, Nihar Pandit of Navneet, Vasudeo Kamath, Vijay Phanshikar, Editor, The Hitavada, and Principal Advisor of IPEC-2026, and memory trainer and Vedic Maths expert Aditi Singhal. Principals will present papers in parallel sessions on both days, and the Best Paper Award will be presented on October 23.
The conference is organised by The South Public School, Nagpur. Dr Mrunalini Dasture, Principal of the school, is the convener. Rajesh Ghai, MD, Sunflower & Tychee, Devish Gala, President, Edu Books Division, Navneet, and Deaven Dasture, Director, The South Public School, are the patrons.
Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on October 22 and 23, and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on October 24.
Programme schedule
Day 1: Thursday, October 22
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 9.00 to 10.30 a.m. | Inaugural function |
| 10.30 to 11.15 a.m. | Keynote: Prof Debashis Chatterjee, "Bridging modern learning paradigms with Indian traditions for WOW Generations" |
| 11.15 to 11.30 a.m. | Break |
| 11.30 a.m. to 12.10 p.m. | Keynote: Dr Mrunalini Dasture, "Understanding WOW Generations – Bridging Insights and Innovations" |
| 12.10 to 12.50 p.m. | Keynote: Dr Mala Palani, "Teaching the WOW Generation: Educating for Collaborative Intelligence" |
| 12.50 to 1.40 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1.40 to 2.20 p.m. | Sanjana Kapoor, "From achievement to well-being – redefining success for WOW generations" |
| 2.20 to 3.00 p.m. | Keynote: Nihar Pandit (Navneet), "From Page to Prompt: Bridging Trusted Books and AI for the WOW Generations" |
| 3.00 to 3.10 p.m. | Break |
| 3.10 to 5.00 p.m. | Paper presentations by principals (parallel sessions) |
| 5.00 to 5.30 p.m. | Quiz on the keynote addresses |
Day 2: Friday, October 23
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 10.00 a.m. | Saraswati Pooja and prayer dance |
| 10.00 to 11.00 a.m. | Keynote: Vasudeo Kamath, "Bridging modern learning paradigms with Indian traditions for WOW Generations" |
| 11.00 to 11.40 a.m. | Panel discussion with the Scrutiny and Advisory Committees (moderator: Reena Dargan) |
| 11.40 a.m. to 12 noon | Break |
| 12 noon to 12.40 p.m. | Keynote: Vijay Phanshikar, "Conference Theme" |
| 12.40 to 1.30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1.30 to 1.45 p.m. | Fun in IPEC |
| 1.45 to 2.25 p.m. | Keynote: Aditi Singhal, "Interpreting cognitive, emotional and behavioural trends of WOW Generations" |
| 2.25 to 3.00 p.m. | Panel discussion with collaborators (moderator: Deaven Dasture) |
| 3.00 to 3.15 p.m. | Break |
| 3.15 to 5.15 p.m. | Paper presentations by principals (parallel sessions) |
| 5.15 to 5.30 p.m. | Best Paper Award and quiz |
Day 3: Saturday, October 24
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 9.00 a.m. | Valedictory function |
| Until 12 noon | Conference ends |
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