The 9th International Principals’ Educational Conference (IPEC 2026), organised by The South Public School, Nagpur, brought together educational leaders for discussions on evolving teaching methods and future-ready learning. Being held from October 22 to 24, the conference revolves around the theme ‘Understanding WOW - The World of Wonderful Generations: Bridging Insights and Innovations’. The conference featured perspectives from Dr Mrunalini Dasture, Principal, The South Public School and Convener, IPEC; Dr Mala Palani, noted educationist and writer; and Nihar Pandit, representing NavNeet education. They addressed the changing educational landscape through the themes of future-ready learning, collaborative intelligence and artificial intelligence.

 

 

 

 

Dr Mrunalini Dasture stressed the need for educators to understand the distinctive needs of Generation Z and Generation Alpha, together described in the conference theme as the WOW Generations. Dr Dasture emphasised the importance of being intentional with time and learning rather than simply copying the habits of these generations, including excessive scrolling through short-form videos and reels. According to her, learners respond strongly to demonstrations, making it important for educators to show them the process of achieving excellence rather than expecting results. Dr Dasture cautioned that talent could go to waste if it was not channelled towards success through right steps and methods. Demonstrating how excellence is achieved, she suggested, it was therefore essential to help young people realise their potential. She stressed the importance of inculcating pride in India’s heritage and achievements, rather than encouraging students to imitate other countries. Her emphasis was on preparing young learners for the future while grounding them in national values and identity.

 

 

 

 

Dr Mala Palani, noted educationist and writer, delivered a keynote titled ‘Teaching the WOW Generation - Educating for Collaborative Intelligence’. She emphasised that the future of education lies not in competitive intelligence but in collaborative intelligence, where students, teachers and technology co-create learning ecosystems. Her address highlighted the importance of collaboration in preparing learners for a changing world. Rather than focusing solely on individual achievement, collaborative intelligence encourages shared learning, the exchange of ideas and collective problem-solving. The approach calls for students and teachers to work together, drawing on their different strengths to enrich the learning process. Palani’s keynote aligned with IPEC 2026’s focus on understanding Generation Z and Generation Alpha and developing learning environments suited to their needs.

 

 

Nihar Pandit delivered a keynote titled ‘From Page to Prompt - Bridging Trusted Books and AI for the WOW Generation’. He highlighted how educators can combine the credibility of trusted books with the capabilities of artificial intelligence to nurture discerning and digitally fluent learners. His address focused on bridging established learning resources with emerging technology. As AI becomes part of the educational landscape, the challenge is to help students engage with it while retaining an appreciation for reliable sources of knowledge. The session was followed by a brief talk and an evocative film presented by Devish Gala, President, Educational Books Division, Navneet Education.