Prof. (Dr.) Padmakali Banerjee is a distinguished academic leader, Vice Chancellor, and author with nearly three decades of transformative experience in higher education. A Ph.D. from the University of Delhi and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, London, she is known for pioneering innovations in curriculum design, skill development, and student-centric learning. She champions holistic education, global collaboration, and inclusive growth.
Her acclaimed works include The Power of Positivity and the Inkblot Personality Test, as well as the development of psychometric tools such as the Optimism Index and the LEAPS Wellbeing Scale. She is the founder of the Triarup Foundation, promoting sustainable social impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
Interview: Prof. (Dr.) Padmakali Banerjee | Vice Chancellor, IILM University Gurugram
We recently interviewed Prof. (Dr.) Padmakali Banerjee, Vice-Chancellor of IILM University, on NEP 2020, visionary leadership, and how digital platforms like Legal Bites are shaping the future of education. Read the full interview below:
Visionary Leadership in Higher Education
Legal Bites: As a distinguished leader in academia, how would you describe your leadership philosophy and its impact on the growth of IILM University?
Dr. Padmakali Banerjee: My leadership philosophy is centred around empowerment, adaptability, and value-driven growth. I strongly believe in nurturing young minds as change agents, especially in today’s VUCA world shaped by rapid technological advancement, artificial intelligence, and shifting geo-political landscapes.
At IILM University, we focus on equipping students with the competencies required to navigate these challenges through a combination of collaboration, co-creation, innovation, and experimentation. This not only fuels intellectual curiosity but also drives impactful learning outcomes.
Our core values “Learn with Purpose, Lead with Purpose” are deeply embedded in our ecosystem. These principles guide students to become purposeful leaders who are grounded in ethics and driven by social responsibility.
My leadership style is flexible, responsive, and democratic encouraging dialogue, inclusive decision-making, and openness to new ideas. This approach has fostered a vibrant, student-centred environment that continuously evolves to meet the needs of a dynamic global society. My overarching goal is to transform the world into a happier place to live in by instilling hope and optimism in today’s youth.
Legal Bites: How do you ensure that IILM’s academic ecosystem remains responsive and resilient in the face of evolving educational demands?
Dr. Padmakali Banerjee: At IILM, we pursue a multifaceted, forward-thinking, and adaptable approach that creates a dynamic academic ecosystem, capable of responding to current needs and anticipating future challenges. Our curriculum development is rooted in global perspectives and best practices, with an emphasis on flexible and responsive pedagogy and adaptive teaching methods. Students engage in hands-on projects and experiential learning that transcend disciplines, keeping learning relevant and impactful.
The university is committed to the integration of technology across all levels of instruction. Leveraging AI as a learning assistant, we enhance personalization, deliver real-time feedback, and use data analytics to boost engagement and learning outcomes. Our enhanced library services and access to resources ensure students stay connected with the latest global research and innovations.
Through industry collaboration, strong partnerships, and guidance from advisory committees, we offer real-world exposure via internships and service-learning. Collaborative platforms support interdisciplinary teamwork, while our Centres of Excellence drive innovation, research, and policy impact. Emphasizing community engagement, we foster projects that address societal challenges, promoting civic responsibility. We also invest in professional development for educators, ensuring that feedback mechanisms lead to continuous improvement and excellence.
Embracing the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Legal Bites: What are your views on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and how is IILM aligning its curriculum and practices with its vision?
Dr. Padmakali Banerjee: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is truly a big game changer for India, especially as we celebrate are demographic dividend and emerge as the fourth largest economies. India is home to the largest youth population in the world, making educational reforms crucial to leveraging this demographic advantage. The NEP is timely and addresses the urgent need for a robust educational framework that prepares youth for future challenges.
NEP 2020 provides a flexible, inclusive, and future-ready framework that emphasizes quality education, upskilling, reskilling, and multilingualism, while also promoting interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary learning.
Importantly, it revives the richness of the Indian Knowledge System, incorporating subjects such as literature, history, holistic well-being, and traditional wisdom. This is essential in a rapidly evolving job market, ensuring that students are equipped with relevant skills and competencies.
At IILM University, we have embraced NEP 2020 in letter and spirit. All schools have revised their curricula to reflect its principles by offering multidisciplinary programs, value-added courses, and skill-enhancement initiatives
We have also invested in AI-integrated teaching, enhanced digital platforms, and upgraded academic resources to support research and innovation. Faculty training is a key pillar, with initiatives like MMTTP and internal faculty development programs ensuring alignment with NEP standards.
Furthermore, our industry linkages, advisory boards, and global academic partnerships ensure that we not only implement the policy effectively but also co-create knowledge with stakeholders across sectors. NEP 2020 is not a one-time implementation; it is a continuous process of learning, innovation, and collaboration and IILM is proud to be at the forefront of this educational evolution.
Legal Bites: Which key reforms under the NEP do you believe will have the most lasting impact on the future of higher education in India?
Dr. Padmakali Banerjee: One of the most impactful reforms introduced by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is digitalization, especially through the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). This system offers students greater flexibility by enabling multiple entry and exit options during the course of a degree. It allows learners to pause and resume their studies, and even pursue full-time and online programs simultaneously, making education more accessible and modular.
Additionally, NEP emphasizes the importance of regional and local languages in higher education, ensuring inclusivity for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Another significant reform is the internationalization of education, which opens up opportunities for collaboration with global institutions and raises academic standards to an international level.
Lastly, the introduction of the Professor of Practice category allows industry professionals to bring their real-world expertise directly into classrooms, thereby bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. Together, these reforms are set to revolutionize the Indian higher education landscape by making it more flexible, inclusive, globally connected, and industry-relevant.
Policy, Pedagogy, and Purpose: Shaping the Future of Learning
Legal Bites: In your opinion, how has policy-driven transformation enhanced the quality and accessibility of higher education in India?
Dr. Padmakali Banerjee: Policy-driven transformation, especially through the National Education Policy 2020, has significantly enhanced both the quality and accessibility of higher education in India. One of the most impactful changes has been the thrust on digitalization, which aligns well with India’s status as a growing digital economy.
By promoting digital education, policies have enabled greater access to learning, especially in remote and underserved areas. Platforms offering Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and online certifications have opened up opportunities for learners to study diverse subjects without geographical constraints.
This transformation has also brought down infrastructure costs and made education more affordable, allowing for interactive, real-time learning experiences and updated, globally relevant curricula. Moreover, such initiatives contribute directly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. The integration of technology has further supported new research, encouraged innovation, and led to better academic outcomes
Initiatives like “One Nation, One Data” have further enhanced this transformation by standardizing data across institutions, enabling better collaboration and transparency in administration and academic research. This data unification allows universities to work together on joint research projects and academic programs, fostering greater knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Additionally, the “One Nation, One Subscription” initiative supports academic research by offering nationwide access to thousands of high-impact journals, helping democratize knowledge and boost research output.
Legal Bites: What pedagogical innovations have been implemented at IILM to keep pace with the demands of a digitally-empowered knowledge economy?
Dr. Padmakali Banerjee: IILM has embraced a range of pedagogical innovations to align with the rapidly evolving, digitally-driven knowledge economy. One key initiative is its Corporate Readiness Program, which blends academic learning with real-world exposure through industry-driven certification programs. Students gain experiential learning beyond the classroom via international immersion programs, value-added courses, and study abroad opportunities that promote global understanding and cross-cultural competence.
Pedagogically, IILM incorporates Non-Teaching Credit (NTC) courses, internships, and corporate immersion programs that provide hands-on learning and field-based knowledge. The university has also invested in digital labs to foster tech-based learning and upskilling. Students benefit from Kimbus subscriptions, enabling seamless access to global library resources for enhanced academic and research work.
Additionally, the university encourages innovation through its on-campus incubator, offering a platform for students to explore entrepreneurship and develop startup ideas. These innovations are further supported by value-added programs in partnership with international universities, ensuring that students are prepared to thrive in a dynamic, globally connected world.
Digital Tools and Platforms: The Role of Legal Bites
Legal Bites: With the increasing reliance on digital learning, how effective do you find online educational platforms like Legal Bites in supplementing legal education and student development?
Dr. Padmakali Banerjee: Online platforms like Legal Bites play a vital role in transforming and supplementing legal education in today’s digital era. At a time when India stands at a crossroads demanding more convergent thinking and academic flexibility, such platforms act as powerful enablers. They enhance access to authentic, real-time information and facilitate collaborative learning by bringing together the best practices and knowledge from across institutions and jurisdictions.
Platforms like Legal Bites not only offer credible academic content but also provide interactive tools like quizzes, articles, and case commentaries that allow students to engage more deeply with the law.
They serve as bridges connecting students, faculty, and institutions, enabling co-creation and thought leadership, which is essential in an era where misinformation is rampant.
These platforms empower learners to stay current, think critically, and prepare for real-world legal challenges, making them indispensable for the modern law student.
Legal Bites: Do you believe that e-resources can play a pivotal role in bridging gaps in access and equipping students for professional readiness?
Dr. Padmakali Banerjee: Yes, e-resources are already playing a pivotal role in bridging access gaps and equipping students for professional readiness. They provide ease of access to knowledge anytime and anywhere, breaking traditional barriers to quality education.
More importantly, e-resources allow tailor-made mock sessions and discussion forums, which are critical in simulating real-life scenarios for students. These customized learning experiences help learners prepare for corporate expectations and industry standards.
Additionally, the possibilities are endless from webinars to internship postings and global opportunities, all of which can be hosted on these platforms to create a high level of awareness and exposure. This is especially crucial in preparing students not just academically but also professionally.
In a digital-first world, e-resources are not just support tools; they are strategic enablers of inclusive, flexible, and opportunity-driven education.