What happens when some of the most passionate educators, thinkers, and leaders come together under one roof?
You get a day like VELS LEAD Symposium 2025 — where every moment sparked a new thought, every session opened new possibilities, and every face in the room carried the spirit of change.
This year, the LEAD Symposium wasn’t just a one-city affair. It unfolded in two vibrant locations — Chennai and Bangalore — with the same mission in mind: to Learn, Experiment, Augment, and Discover what the future of education looks like.
Chennai – A Thoughtful Beginning
Hosted at Vaels International School, Injambakkam, the Chennai edition brought together a power-packed lineup of educators and experts. The day began with a warm welcome by Dr. Meenakshi Ramesh, Director – R&D & Curriculum, who reminded everyone why we do what we do — to inspire young minds and evolve with them.
Then came the Presidential Address by Dr. Arthi Ganesh, Pro Chancellor of VELS University and Managing Trustee of VELS Group of Schools. Her words were honest, forward-thinking, and deeply motivating — a perfect start to a day that promised to challenge the norm.
And when Mr. Rajendran Dandapani, Business Evangelist at Zoho and the mind behind Zoho Schools of Learning, took the stage as Chief Guest, the room listened with awe. He spoke about how education is changing, and how it should — not with fear, but with purpose.
What the Day Looked Like
STEM from the Start
Ms. Nagalakshmi, Director – Curio Kids, delivered a powerful reminder that the future is already here. STEM education, she said, isn’t just for older kids — it needs to begin early, where curiosity is at its peak.
Wellness for Educators
Dr. Annie Sam, from VISTAS, spoke straight from the heart about what teachers go through, and why taking care of themselves isn’t optional anymore. Emotional balance, self-awareness, and lifelong learning? They’re not just buzzwords — they’re survival skills.
Heartificial Intelligence? Yes, Please.
Ms. Meena and Ms. Nirmala Lakshmipati from Heartfulness took the audience on a journey inward. Their session brought calm, clarity, and a new way of thinking about how we can teach — with heart.
As the day progressed, Dr. Vijayakumar, Director – VELS Group of Schools, tied all the learning together, sharing reflections that truly hit home. And finally, Dr. Sai Sudha gave a heartfelt Vote of Thanks, reminding us that behind every great event, there are people who care deeply.
Bangalore – The Vision Expands
After the success in Chennai, the LEAD journey continued to Paripoorna Prajna International School in Karnataka, where another wave of passionate educators came together to continue the conversation.
Once again, Dr. Arthi Ganesh led with a vision that felt personal yet powerful. The sessions echoed the same energy — filled with new ideas, fresh perspectives, and a sense that we’re all in this together.
Whether it was the discussions on modern pedagogy, hands-on workshops, or peer-to-peer learning circles, the Bangalore chapter reminded us that change is possible — and it’s already happening.
What People Took Home
Teachers walked away with new strategies and renewed purpose.
Speakers left inspired by the curiosity and commitment in the room.
This wasn’t just an event. It was a reminder of why education matters, and how the right people, with the right mindset, can make a world of difference.
Moving Forward
The LEAD Symposium 2025 may have wrapped up, but the journey has only just begun. The ideas sparked here will ripple into classrooms, into lesson plans, into young minds who are yet to discover their potential.
And that, after all, is what LEAD is all about —
Learning boldly. Teaching differently. Leading with purpose.
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