National Education Day 2025: Maulana Azad Legacy, IIM Mumbai MBA, China K-Visa & IIT Gandhinagar AI Programs

Nov 11, 2025

Published: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

National Education Day 2025: Honouring Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's Educational Legacy

India observes National Education Day every year on November 11, marking the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the nation's first Education Minister, according to the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) announced in September 2008 that November 11 would be celebrated as National Education Day to commemorate his birthday and recall his contribution to education.

Historical Significance and Azad's Vision

Born on November 11, 1888, in Mecca, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a prominent scholar, freedom fighter, and visionary leader. His family later settled in Calcutta (now Kolkata), where he received early education in Arabic, Persian, and Islamic theology. Despite his traditional background, Azad developed a keen interest in Western philosophy, science, and literature, which shaped his progressive worldview.

As a journalist and thinker, Azad used his writings to challenge colonial rule and promote national unity. He founded the Urdu weekly Al-Hilal in 1912 and later Al-Balagh, both of which became influential platforms for anti-colonial ideas. His active role in India's independence movement saw him become one of the youngest presidents of the Indian National Congress in 1923, and later, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.

Transformative Educational Reforms

After independence, Maulana Azad was appointed as the first Education Minister of independent India. His tenure was marked by visionary reforms that laid the foundation for the country's educational framework. He firmly believed that education should be a tool for social transformation and national development, emphasising universal primary education, adult literacy, and technical training.

Maulana Azad's contribution to Indian education remains immense—he was instrumental in establishing premier institutions such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. He also played a significant role in strengthening the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and promoting research and scientific learning. In 1992, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.

Cultural and Literary Development

Azad's vision extended beyond formal education; he emphasised cultural and literary development and worked to promote Indian languages as mediums of learning. His efforts led to the formation of the Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi, institutions that continue to promote India's rich cultural heritage.

The day is celebrated to encourage discussions about improving India's education system, addressing contemporary challenges, and reaffirming the constitutional commitment to education as a fundamental right. Since its inception in 2008, educational institutions across India mark this day through seminars, essay competitions, workshops, and awareness rallies that emphasise the importance of literacy and the nation's commitment to accessible education for all.

IIM Mumbai Launches Blended MBA Programme for Working Professionals

The Indian Institute of Management Mumbai, in collaboration with Jaro Education, has introduced a new Blended Post Graduate Programme in Management (MBA–BPGP) aimed at working professionals seeking to enhance their managerial and leadership skills without taking a career break, according to the official statement released today.

Programme Structure and Learning Format

The two-year programme combines academic learning with workplace application, offering participants flexibility to pursue a management degree while continuing professional commitments. According to the official statement, the MBA–BPGP will be delivered in blended mode, comprising live online sessions along with two one-week on-campus immersion modules—one at the mid-point and another at the end of the programme.

These sessions are designed to provide learners with exposure to IIM Mumbai's faculty and campus-based learning environment while maintaining continuity in their professional roles. The curriculum includes over 1,200 hours of interactive instruction covering key management areas such as Operations, Marketing, Finance, Data Science, and Sustainability.

Eligibility and Admission Requirements

The programme is open to executives, managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from both public and private sectors who possess a minimum of three years of full-time work experience after graduation. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognised institution.

Applicants are required to have a valid score in CAT, GMAT, GRE, or IMAT (IIM Mumbai Admission Test) taken within the last five years. Selection will be based on academic background, work experience, test scores, and other relevant criteria as determined by IIM Mumbai. The programme also emphasises the application of strategic and analytical thinking to real-world business challenges, allowing learners to implement acquired concepts directly in their organisations.

The curriculum integrates business fundamentals with emerging areas such as digital transformation and sustainability, aligning with current industry requirements. Participants will also gain access to IIM Mumbai's digital library and academic resources, helping them develop competencies in strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, leadership, and innovation.

China Launches K-Visa to Attract Global Tech Talent Amid US H-1B Tightening

China is moving to attract global science and technology professionals through a new K-visa programme introduced last month, being widely viewed as Beijing's answer to the US H-1B visa, especially as US immigration norms have become stricter, according to reports today.

Strategic Positioning and Flexible Entry Terms

For professionals like Vaishnavi Srinivasagopalan, an Indian IT specialist who has worked in both India and the US, China could now be a viable alternative. She says the K-visa's flexible terms, notably the ability to apply without having a confirmed job offer, make it an appealing option for those exploring global opportunities.

The K-visa is meant to complement China's existing talent visas, such as the R-visa, but comes with fewer entry barriers. The move aligns with Beijing's broader push to compete with the US in high-tech innovation, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and robotics. Experts say China sees the current uncertainty surrounding the H-1B system in the US, including increased fees and stricter eligibility checks, as an opportunity to position itself as more welcoming to foreign talent.

Domestic Concerns and Regional Interest

However, the effort arrives at a complicated time for China's own job market. Youth unemployment remains high, and some students and young professionals fear that the entry of foreign workers could intensify job competition. Yet analysts argue that China faces a real shortage of highly skilled researchers, engineers, and tech specialists, which the K-visa aims to address.

Immigration consultants report mounting interest from India and Southeast Asia, regions that have long supplied talent to Silicon Valley. China has already seen some high-profile returns of scientists and engineers from US companies to academic and research roles back home.

Still, challenges remain. Language barriers, internet censorship, and limited long-term residency pathways make many professionals cautious. For others, geopolitical tensions, including strained India-China relations, also influence their decisions. "The US may be tightening its visa rules," analysts say, "but it continues to hold a competitive edge due to research ecosystems, global corporate presence, and English as a working language".

IIT Gandhinagar Launches India's First Residential AI Diploma Programmes

Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, ranked 18th in the Engineering category by NIRF, has launched three new 6-month Postgraduate Diploma Programmes in association with Futurense Technologies, according to today's announcement. The fully residential programmes are specially crafted to create industry-ready professionals in emerging areas of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cloud Engineering.

Comprehensive Programme Structure

The newly initiated programs include PG Diploma in AI and Agentic AI Engineering, PG Diploma in GenAI and Data Science Engineering, and PG Diploma in AI-Powered Software Engineering with Cloud. IIT Gandhinagar Director Prof. Rajat Moona said the initiative reflects the institute's commitment to creating "future-ready professionals who do not just learn technology but apply and create with it".

He added that the programmes focus on "real-world engineering depth, hands-on innovation, and an immersive IIT campus experience." With its Build, Deploy, Scale approach, each course offers over 600 hours of bootcamp learning. Classroom sessions are mixed with intensive project work to give students skills equivalent to two years of industrial experience.

Selective Admission and Industry Integration

The programmes will only admit 60 students each, selected through a national-level entrance examination—the All India National Proficiency Test (AINPT)—followed by a multi-stage interview. Students will live on the 400-acre ecocampus of IIT Gandhinagar, India's first five-star GRIHA-LD rated institution. They will be mentored by IIT faculty members and professionals from leading global companies.

The pedagogy will include project-based learning through an AI Clinic, Ideas Lab, and Product Deconstruction Workshops to help learners build real-world applications. Graduates will get 100% placement support plus Executive Alumni Status from IIT Gandhinagar.

The programs also include the industry-integration model of Futurense, featuring direct mentorship by over 40 global CXOs and CTOs, networking via a Breakfast Club, and continuous career guidance. The first cohort, starting in February 2026, will be 70% project-based learning and 30% faculty-led learning.