IIAS Shimla hosts 2-day seminar on migration pattern of students

Scholars, policymakers and researchers from across the country participated in a two-day national seminar on “Understanding Students’ Migration Patterns and their Impact on Higher Education in India”, hosted by the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) from June 10 to 11. During the seminar, scholars examined the dynamics of internal student migration and its broader impact on India’s higher education landscape.

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The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by Prof Raghavendra P Tiwari, Director, IIAS (online), followed by a thematic introduction by Prof Sudhakar Venukapalli (Senior Professor, IEDS). Chief Guest Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, emphasised the socio-economic significance of student migration across Indian states.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof VK Malhotra, Chairperson, Food Commission of Madhya Pradesh, highlighted the structural inequalities in access to higher education and the resulting regional migration patterns.

Throughout the two days, the seminar featured eight academic sessions and a panel discussion. Scholars presented papers on topics such as migration and representation, the impact of seasonal migration on education, institutional governance, digital education and econometric analyses, among others.

Notable contributors included Prof Biju KC, Christ University, Prof Satish Verma, RBI Chair, Dr Sandip Datta, Delhi School of Economics, Dr Vikholienuo Kire (Nagaland), Dr Vinod Sen, IGNTU, Dr Ramya Patel, JNU, Dr Tanwi Patra and many others. The sessions revealed critical insights into how student mobility reflects broader economic disparities, infrastructural gaps and changing career aspirations in India.

The valedictory session featured a summary of proceedings by Dr Anish Gupta and Shubham Sharma, closing remarks by Prof Raghavendra P Tiwari and a formal vote of thanks by Prof Sudhakar Venukapalli.

The seminar concluded with a consensus that understanding and planning for student migration is essential not only for equitable access to education but also for crafting inclusive, future-ready policies in Indian higher education.