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Schoolnet And GLC Launch EcoInnovators Ideathon 2025

Education

Schoolnet And GLC Launch EcoInnovators Ideathon 2025

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The collaborative venture, initiated by Schoolnet India in partnership with the Global Learning Council (GLC), housed at the Villars Institute (VI) in Switzerland, has established a series of transformative initiatives designed to democratize education and to develop next-generation leadership. Targeting emerging economies such as India, Brazil, Rwanda, and Kenya, this partnership aims for systemic change through intergenerational collaboration.

GLC has collaborated with Schoolnet India to bring the power of technology to enhance teaching-learning outcomes. Schoolnet has 100,000 schools in its network and will reach 50,000 students and teachers in the initial year. It plans to improve the learning outcome of 10 million students across the nation in the next five years.

Three powerful initiatives have been undertaken within India during the last six months to empower students and educators. These include a national EcoInnovators Ideathon, capacity-building programs for private schools in collaboration with the International Baccalaureate (IB), and the introduction of a climate leadership course for students. All the initiatives were unveiled at the Grand Finale of the EcoInnovators Ideathon held on January 24, 2025, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

The centerpiece of the event was the EcoInnovators Ideathon, which was meant to involve school students in the identification of critical environmental challenges such as air and water pollution and waste management. Participants were challenged to come up with innovative, tech-driven solutions using advanced technologies like AI, IoT, and robotics. More than 800 schools across India participated in the competition, with 100 teams shortlisted for expert mentorship through masterclasses. The top 10 teams showcased their innovative ideas and solutions at the Grand Finale.

Students from diverse geographies and various educational boards from IB, CBSE, to state boards commemorated innovation, teamwork, and eventually saw their hard work produce Team Vanguard, from Delhi Public School Electronic City, Bengaluru, who became the ultimate project winner. The unique opportunity to present their work in June 2025 in Switzerland at the Villars Symposium came to this team represented by Shreyas Aggasare and Nakshatra, guaranteeing recognition before the whole world. Winners were chosen by a jury comprising experts from IIT Madras, TERI, Grok Learning, GIZ, UnconstrainED, an IB school, and New York-based Sure Start. The event also includes interactive activities-a quiz powered through Schoolnet’s AI-based app Geneo-to engage 250+ students across Delhi/NCR schools. Altogether, prize money worth of Rs 1.5 lakh was given as cash prizes among the finalists as well as for the quiz participation.

Along with the Ideathon, Schoolnet and GLC/VI launched a collaborative initiative with the International Baccalaureate to empower educators across schools. The program aims to introduce IB’s globally respected education framework to private schools in India. It will also host orientation seminars and offer access to professional learning opportunities for educators. This initiative is rooted in IB’s mission to inspire critical thinking and foster a lifelong love of learning while promoting intercultural understanding and respect.

Another important milestone was the climate leadership course offered to Grade 6 to 8 students. It is an experiential program co-designed by GLC/VI and Schoolnet to inculcate environmental stewardship and systems leadership. This course is again based on planetary boundary principles. These kinds of programs will train future climate leaders of the country.

Dignitaries present: Several distinguished guests were present in the event. Chief Guest Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy, Government of India, appreciated the innovative ideas presented and pointed out how technologies like AI and IoT have the potential to address global challenges. He called for partnerships and pledged the support of the government to scale such initiatives for the students.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO and Vice Chairman of Dubai Cares, who spoke about his vision for reforms in the global education system. He was excited to extend these initiatives to the MENA region through partnerships with GLC/VI and Schoolnet.

Dr. Subra Suresh, Founder and President of the Global Learning Council, commended Schoolnet for its leadership in implementing GLC’s vision in India. He emphasized the importance of fostering sustainability-focused mindsets and tech-driven problem-solving among students. Dr. Suresh also expressed eagerness to collaborate with India’s central and state governments to scale these programs further.

RCM Reddy, MD & CEO Schoolnet India added that these programmes are in harmony with India’s National Education Policy and Schoolnet’s larger dream of democratizing education through new-age technologies and emphasized the requirement of building up an ecosystem of “glocal” partnerships, which will empower millions of learners in the following years.

Schoolnet and GLC/VI are focused on sustainability, innovation, and education, representing a significant step toward transforming the Indian and global education landscape. Initiatives launched at the EcoInnovators Ideathon promise to inspire students, empower educators, and foster the rise of a generation of environmentally conscious leaders equipped to address global challenges.

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