CAMBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM – In the historic setting of the University of Cambridge, where the echoes of past brilliance meet the innovations of tomorrow, Shrimati Meghna Singh Deo is currently helping to chart the future of global education. As the Chairperson of Ekamra Vatika, a prominent early learning institution in Odisha, she has joined an elite assembly of global school leaders and policymakers for the Classroom 2030 Program.
Taking place from April 13 to 17, 2026, this high-level initiative is hosted by the Digital Education Futures Initiative, or DEFI, at Hughes Hall. The program serves as a collaborative laboratory for the world’s most influential educators to reimagine the role of technology, pedagogical change, and student engagement in the coming decade.
For Shrimati Singh Deo, the experience has been a profound blend of academic rigor and personal inspiration. Walking through the storied halls of the university, she noted that education is fundamentally about more than just reading and writing. It is, in her view, a tapestry of experiences, conversations, and the quiet moments of reflection that ultimately shift a person’s perspective on the world.
Reflecting on the evolving landscape of learning, she drew inspiration from the words of Charles Darwin, one of Cambridge’s most famous alumni, noting that survival and success belong to those most responsive to change. Her participation in Classroom 2030 underscores a commitment to bringing that very adaptability back to the educational landscape of Odisha.
The program at Hughes Hall provides a rare platform for these leaders to move beyond theoretical discussions and live the excellence they seek to instill in their students. As she engages with cutting-edge teachings and peer perspectives, Shrimati Singh Deo describes the opportunity as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that reinforces her belief that true excellence is lived rather than simply taught.
As the week progresses, the insights gained at Cambridge are expected to ripple outward, influencing how early childhood education is approached at Ekamra Vatika and beyond, ensuring that the next generation of learners is prepared for the complexities of 2030 and the years that follow.