NIEPA Launches MA In AI Education, MA In School Leadership On 20th Foundation Day

The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) has announced the launch of two new postgraduate programmes, Master of Arts (MA) in AI Education and Master of Arts (MA) in School Leadership, as the institution marked its 20th Foundation Day in New Delhi.

The programmes were announced during NIEPA’s Foundation Day function held at the India International Centre (IIC), which brought together policymakers, education experts, academicians, scholars and administrators to discuss the role of higher education institutions in India’s development journey.

Speaking at the event on the theme ‘Role of Higher Education Institutions in Making Viksit Bharat@2047’, Prafulla Ketkar, Editor of Organiser, said India’s higher education institutions have an important role to play in shaping the country’s long-term development.

“Everyone talks about 2047. PM Modi has made an important point while talking about Viksit Bharat@2047. He said by 2035, we need to decolonise our minds,” Ketkar said.

He further stressed the importance of the “decolonisation” of education and knowledge systems, linking it to the broader vision of Viksit Bharat.

According to NIEPA, nearly 65% of India’s population is below the age of 35, while the country has set a target of achieving a 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education by 2035. The institute said strengthening educational planning and governance will be critical to achieving these targets.

During 2025-26, NIEPA conducted 128 national and international programmes, reaching 7,634 participants, as part of its efforts to strengthen evidence-based educational planning and administration. The Foundation Day programme also saw the release of seven books on higher education and the announcement of international collaborations.

Prof Rama Shanker Dubey, Chancellor, NIEPA, said higher education institutions need to evolve into centres of knowledge, innovation and responsible leadership as India works towards the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.

“Higher education institutions must become centres of knowledge, innovation and responsible leadership. NIEPA’s work in educational planning, policy research and capacity building is vital to strengthening institutions and enabling evidence-based decision-making across the education system,” he said.

NIEPA Vice-Chancellor Prof Shashikala Wanjari said the institute would continue to focus on research, professional capacity building and strengthening governance across the education system.

ALSO READ: IIM Calcutta To Launch AI-First Online MBA Offering Full Degree And Alumni Status

“As India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, our core responsibility is to generate research, build professional capacities and support institutions so that policy aspirations translate into meaningful outcomes across the nation,” she said.

Established with its origins in the Asian Regional Centre for Educational Planners and Administrators in 1962 with UNESCO support, NIEPA is a Deemed to be University under the Ministry of Education and is fully maintained by the Government of India. The institute works with central and state governments, educational institutions and international partners on educational policy, governance, planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Note: The author of this story was invited to attend NIEPA’s 20th Foundation Day event in New Delhi.