Inclusion Should Be the Norm in Education: DEPwD Secretary at Ashoka Conclave 3.0
Inclusion Must Be the Norm, Not an Exception in Education”: Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary DEPwD at Conclave 3.0 organized by Ashoka University’s Office of Learning Support
New Delhi, August 8, 2025 ; Office of Learning Support (OLS) at Ashoka University, today successfully hosted the third edition of its annual conclave on inclusive higher education titled “Advancing Together: A Networked Approach to Inclusive Higher Education” in New Delhi. Building on the momentum of the past two editions, Conclave 3.0 convened important stakeholders from higher education institutions, government bodies, corporate leaders, and advocacy organisations to deepen dialogue and action around disability inclusion in India’s higher education system and giving equitable opportunities in campus recruitment.
The event witnessed participation from eminent policymakers and stakeholders, including Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Shri Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education. Industry leaders such as Neha Trivedi, Founder, Spandan, Ajay Gupta, Co-Founder, Rishihood University, Trupthi Sridhar, Diversity Programs Advisor, Dell Technologies, along with faculty members from leading Indian institutions participated at the event.
Delivering the keynote address Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said, “We must stop thinking only with our minds and start feeling with our hearts. Children with disabilities must grow up in inclusive schools, as that foundation shapes their journey into higher education and beyond. I am heartened to see institutions like Ashoka University leading this change. I urge all stakeholders, government, academia, and civil society, to walk together towards a future where inclusion is not the exception but the norm. Mainstreaming children with special needs into inclusive schools directly impacts their transition into higher education.”
Shri Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education emphasised, “With over 4.5 crore students, India is home to the world’s largest higher education system and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that every student, including those with disabilities, has the opportunity to thrive. The National Education Policy 2020 makes equity and inclusion non-negotiable priorities, and now is the moment to translate that vision into concrete action. The launch of a national database is a powerful step forward, enabling institutions to learn from best practices and drive real, measurable change. I commend the formation of the Inclusive University Alliance and urge more Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to actively participate. A collaborative, networked approach is the only way forward. Ashoka University is well-positioned to lead by example and set a national benchmark because transformative, systemic change begins with bold institutional leadership.”
In addition to delivering keynote addresses, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal and Shri Sunil Kumar Barnwal jointly launched a pioneering open-source database – IdeaPal, ready – blueprint, designed to equip institutions across the country with practical tools and frameworks to implement and strengthen inclusive practices in higher education.
This year’s edition showcased the outcomes of four Idea Labs formed during last year’s conclave. These idea labs are collaborative working groups composed of conclave participants and these groups explored critical themes including building support structures and reasonable accommodation frameworks at Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), strengthening accessible library systems, facilitating access to assistive technology, and making faculty agents of inclusive teaching in classrooms. Insights from these year-long engagements were shared with the broader community to inform future strategies for systemic inclusion.
Throughout the day, sessions focused on best practices which support institutional inclusion efforts, partnerships for lifelong inclusion, and step-by-step guidance on integrating assistive technologies. A dedicated panel on faculty perspectives featured educators from Azim Premji University, IIT Delhi, Kirori Mal College, Delhi University and Ashoka University, who shared classroom strategies, pedagogical tips, and real-world practices.
The conclave also addressed inclusive campus placements, introducing a corporate diversity hiring toolkit and showcasing best practices from organizations like Dell Technologies and V-shesh, among others.
Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder & Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University said, “As India prepares to build the largest number of new campuses in the world over the next few decades – our higher education capacity will double. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design inclusion into the very foundation of our institutions. We must ensure that every new campus, every new program, is built to be accessible and inclusive from day one. This is not just an Ashoka University commitment – it must become a national imperative.”
“What began as a quiet conversation in 2015 – when Ashoka welcomed its first undergraduate cohort – has grown into a vibrant movement. When the pandemic exposed deep access gaps, we knew the answers lay beyond campus. That’s when the idea of partnerships and shared frameworks took root. From white papers to weekly Idea Lab sessions, from insights to implementation – Conclave 3.0 is the culmination of that sustained collective work. With the re-launch of the Inclusive University Alliance, we’re opening sustained dialogue with government and universities alike to build solutions ground-up – because real progress happens only when we advance together.” Ms. Reena Gupta, Senior Director, Office of Learning Support, Ashoka University, said.
Hosted by OLS, which was established in 2016 to ensure academic and institutional support for students with visible and invisible disabilities, the conclave served as a space to connect with and join Inclusive University Alliance (IUA) – a national network of HEIs and allied organisations committed to advancing inclusive education. Ashoka University, a founding member of the Inclusive University Alliance, remains committed to fostering an equitable and accessible academic environment through ongoing policy advocacy, capacity-building, and national partnerships.