In A Conversation With Mr. Atul Temurnikar, Recipient Of The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

Mr Atul Temurnikar CoFounder and Chairman of the Global Schools Foundation GSF has recently been honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for his exceptional contributions to education Through GSF he has facilitated quality education for over 45000 students across 11 countries creating a platform for cultural exchange and strengthening Indias global ties In this interview Mr Temurnikar shares his insights on education innovation and diaspora engagement1 Receiving the PBSA is a prestigious recognition for NRIs How do you view this honor in the context of your contributions to education and the diasporaReceiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is both an honor and a responsibility It reflects the culmination of decades of work in creating education systems that not only provide academic excellence but also encourage cultural understanding and global citizenship This recognition is a testament to our efforts atGlobal Schools Grouprsquo which is an initiative of the Global Schools Foundation At GSG we have built a network of schools across 11 countries that serve over 45000 students These efforts have strengthened cultural ties within the diaspora while showcasing Indiarsquos rich heritage globally This award motivates us to expand our vision further and bring Indian education and values to more corners of the world2 You have a deep connection with both India and Singapore How do you see these two countries complementing each other regarding educational reforms and technological advancementsIndia and Singapore share a unique synergy India offers a rich heritage of educational excellence while Singapore is a beacon of technological innovation and governance By combining Indiarsquos robust curriculum with Singaporersquos advanced infrastructure and pedagogy we can create a globally relevant education model For example integrating Indias CBSE curriculum with technologydriven learning approaches from Singapore can set new benchmarks in education3 The Global Schools Foundation has been at the forefront of innovation in education What key principles or strategies have contributed to its success globally and how do you ensure that the quality remains consistent across different regionsOur success lies in our unwavering focus on quality and community engagement We ensure consistency through robust frameworks in pedagogy teacher training and technology integration Each campus is adapted to local cultural contexts while maintaining the high standards we are known for By leveraging technology like AI and machine learning we personalize learning experiences ensuring superior outcomes globally4 Holistic education is a core philosophy of GSF How do you balance academic excellence with the development of leadership creativity and character among studentsHolistic education is central to our philosophy Alongside academic achievements we emphasize leadership creativity and character development through unique initiatives For instance our Global Student Exchange program allows students to collaborate with peers from different countries on projects like sustainable development We also organize leadership camps arts festivals and community service programs such as treeplanting drives fun raisers and charity events These activities nurture empathy creativity and leadership skills ensuring our students are prepared to excel both academically and as global citizens5 Technology plays a pivotal role in modern education How has your IT background influenced GSFrsquos approach to integrating technology in learning environmentsMy IT background has been instrumental in shapingGSFrsquos techforward approach Wersquove introduced initiatives like the Global Digital Learning Ecosystem where students access interactive online platforms digital libraries and AIbased tools for personalized learning In our SMART Campuses we use various technologies to track student performance and wellbeing These innovations create a learning environment that is not only dynamic but also adaptive to individual needs For example during the pandemic our campuses quickly transitioned to virtual classrooms ensuring uninterrupted learning for thousands of students globally6 You have worked closely with both the Indian and Singaporean governments Can you share any significant collaborations or initiatives that have had a lasting impact on education or diaspora engagementOne impactful initiative was working with Indiarsquos Ministry of Education on the CBSE International curriculum which aims to position Indian education on a global scale In Singapore our partnership with government agencies has fostered communityfocused education ensuring inclusivity and cultural harmony Another impactful initiative was our work with embassies worldwide organizing cultural programs like Diwali celebrations and yoga workshops for diaspora families These collaborations strengthen ties between India and the diaspora creating avenues for cultural exchange and community engagement7 With India emerging as a global power what role do you envision for NRIs in areas such as education innovation and diplomacy How can they contribute more effectively to Indiarsquos growth storyNRIs play a crucial role as ambassadors of Indian values and innovation They can contribute by developing educational collaborations investing in research and development and creating platforms for cultural exchange By leveraging their global experiences NRIs can support Indiarsquos vision of becoming a 10 trillion economy and a global education hub8 Given the success of Singaporersquos bilingual education policy how do you think a similar approach could benefit India especially with the NEP 2020 promoting multilingualismSingaporersquos bilingual policy is a model of preserving cultural heritage while ensuring global competence Indiarsquos NEP 2020 aligns with this vision promoting multilingualism to enhance cognitive skills and cultural understanding Implementing this approach in India can strengthen linguistic diversity and create a generation that is both globally and locally connected9 Every journey has its share of challenges Can you describe a critical challenge you faced in establishing GSF and how you overcame itOne significant challenge was bridging the gap between affordability and quality in international education Parents often perceived affordable schools as compromising on quality To overcome this we focused on creating highvalue schools where quality education was nonnegotiable For instance we introduced initiatives like the 9GEMS framework which balances academics with extracurriculars ensuring holistic development in early education This model has been successfully implemented across our campuses proving that affordability and excellence can coexist10 What advice would you give to young NRIs aspiring to make a meaningful impact in their host countries while maintaining strong ties with IndiaMy advice to young NRIs is to embrace dual roles in life Leverage your global exposure to innovate while staying connected to your roots Participate in initiatives that promote crosscultural understanding such as our Global Student Exchange and Model United Nations programmes which we organise in collaboration with international bodies By contributing to both your host country and Indiawhether through education technology or community serviceyou can create a legacy that bridges nations and inspires future generationsMr Atul Temurnikarrsquos recognition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award underscores his remarkable contributions to education and global cultural exchange His vision continues to inspire a new generation of leaders creating opportunities for deeper connections between India and the world

In A Conversation With Mr. Atul Temurnikar, Recipient Of The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

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In A Conversation With Mr. Atul Temurnikar, Recipient Of The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

Other Articles

Mid-Day Fast