University of Leicester and The Apollo University host AI-focused education and employability summit

Students in India wanting to navigate successful education and career paths in the age of AI have been given a helping hand by the University of Leicester.

The University joined forces with its key partner in India, The Apollo University, to hold a summit in the subcontinent to demystify future pathways for students who have completed intermediate education.

The second edition of the Apollo-Leicester Education Summit, was held in Vijayawada, on Saturday 9 May, and brought together diplomats, academic leaders, and industry experts from the UK and India, for the benefit of students and their parents.

Leicester and Apollo initiated a partnership in 2023, when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaborative education and research programmes, particularly in the fields of healthcare management, healthcare and data science.

The summit focused on one of the biggest concerns faced by families today: how students can prepare for careers in 2030 and beyond, as industries, technologies, and employer expectations evolve rapidly. Through panel discussions and expert-led sessions, the event explored how education systems must adapt to bridge the growing gap between education and employability.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Daniel Ladley, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Head of College and Executive Dean of the University of Leicester School of Business, spoke about the growing importance of globally relevant, employability-focused education. He said: “Business education today must go beyond theory.

“At Leicester, we ensure that students graduate with the ability to adapt, solve problems, and work across disciplines and cultures. As educators, we have the responsibility to ensure that education remains closely connected to the realities of industry and the changing nature of work, and are adapting our curricula to reflect that including integrating AI and 100 hours of work-related learning into every programme.”

The summit also featured an insightful panel discussion with Gareth Wynn Owen, British Deputy High Commissioner for Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Professor Ladley, Vishnu Vankayala, Associate Head of International Recruitment at the University of Leicester, and Vivek Seenivasan, Strategy & Marketing Head at Apollo Knowledge.

Speaking during the session, Mr Wynn Owen highlighted the growing collaboration between India and the UK across education, innovation, and careers. He said: “The UK and India are building a partnership that goes far beyond trade. Education, research, technology, and student mobility are all becoming increasingly important areas of collaboration. For students today, this creates exciting opportunities to gain global exposure, develop future-ready skills, and contribute meaningfully across borders.”

The summit featured sessions across business, technology, engineering, and future careers, with discussions centred on artificial intelligence, global employability, digital transformation, and the skills students will need in the coming decade.

Swapna Reddy V, Founder & CEO of Evo11ve AI, spoke about how AI is reshaping business education and enabling more personalised, practical learning experiences.

Elisha Madhu Kumar Karyamsetty, Country Head & CTO of Amada Soft India, shared insights into the evolving role of core engineering disciplines in advanced manufacturing, automation, and industrial innovation.

The audience also engaged with discussions on emerging technologies and future career pathways through sessions led by technology and industry experts.

Adding a motivational perspective to the event, psychologist and leadership management coach Gampa Nageshwar Rao addressed students and parents on the importance of mindset, clarity, and confidence while making important educational and career decisions.

The summit concluded with an exploration of how structured international pathways can help students access global opportunities while building strong academic and professional foundations.

By bringing together varied perspectives, the Apollo-Leicester Education Summit 2026 created a meaningful platform for students and parents to better understand the evolving global landscape – and how the decisions made immediately after Intermediate education can play a defining role in shaping successful global careers.