As An Educator, Why I Believe We Must Redefine Education For The Next Generation

Traditional education has its setbacks, and it is now commonly agreed that it often fails to prepare young students for the complexities and demands of modern industries. Today’s workforce needs to be equipped with skills, that are beyond what classrooms are teaching us. The future generations need a whole new approach, reshaping how they learn. And that’s where we as educators come in, holding the responsibility of constantly refining, modifying and reshaping the way even we teach. 

Currently, as I direct business education at Masters’ Union, I am on a quest to learn what to teach. This journey involves understanding the rapidly evolving needs of industries, from digital transformation to the rise of artificial intelligence and sustainability. I have come to realize that traditional subjects like finance, marketing, and operations management must be integrated with interdisciplinary skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. And in India, we have a long way to go. 

From Entrepreneur to Educator: A Unique Journey

Growing up, I too chose to step into adulthood by trying to climb the corporate ladder. I grew up in a conservative and patriarchal household, where education was often dismissed as unnecessary for women. But while the rest of my family smirked and shrugged at the idea of education, my mother painted a different picture entirely. I was inspired by her relentless advocacy for children’s education, especially mine – teaching me the value of financial independence, something I carried with me throughout my career. 

My early lessons in determination and discipline came from witnessing my mother’s resilience in a joint family, where pursuing education was often seen as secondary to domestic duties. This inspired me to chase my dreams and join the Stanford Graduate School of Business. At Stanford, I finally studied for the love of learning, followed by a leap into entrepreneurship with the founding of Udayy, an edtech platform focused on K-8 education. The hands-on, dialogue-based learning environment opened my eyes to a new way of thinking and leading. It also laid the groundwork for my next chapter at Masters’ Union, where I am now focused on challenging traditional pedagogies and fostering an environment that encourages big thinking and practical learning.

Addressing current gaps 

My experience has opened my eyes to the significant gaps in India’s current education system, one that is overly theoretical and fails to equip students with the skills needed for real-world challenges. My time in engineering, for instance, left me with strong marks but a weak foundation in critical thinking, problem-solving, and even in core engineering subjects. Even after graduating with distinction, I felt unprepared for the realities of work, which was a shocker to me then, but a daily reality to most of us now. We are still too focused on rote learning, and that’s a disservice to students. 

It's not just about imparting theoretical knowledge, but about equipping students with the tools to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios. To achieve this, I aim to blend experiential learning with classroom instruction—through case studies, internships, and project-based assignments that mirror the challenges faced by businesses today. By fostering a learning environment that encourages innovation and creative thinking, we can empower students to tackle the complexities of an ever-changing global economy. I want students to learn not just by theory but by doing. 

Innovating for the future of business education 

At the heart of my vision for education is innovation. My experience at Stanford, coupled with my entrepreneurial background, has shaped my belief that education must be hands-on, immersive, and directly tied to real-world problems. 

In my current role as an educator at Masters’ Union, this philosophy translates into a curriculum designed to blur the lines between education and industry. Students work on live business projects with companies such as Microsoft, Ather, V Mart, Caret Capital, etc, interact with industry leaders, and are encouraged to think beyond the confines of textbooks. My personal journey—from struggling with confidence during campus placements to leading a startup with 100 crores in funding—has reinforced my belief that real-world experience is the best teacher. And that’s also what I want for each of my students. 

Adapting ourselves as educators

As we look toward the future, the role of educators is not to simply deliver content but to facilitate the development of versatile and resilient leaders who can thrive in an unpredictable world. This requires an ongoing commitment to personal and professional growth, as well as a willingness to embrace new teaching methods, tools, and technologies that can make learning more dynamic and impactful. Through this approach, we can truly prepare the next generation for the future of work.

I want to see a system where students aren’t afraid of failure, where they are encouraged to take risks and learn from them. How do you then replicate this at scale is another question altogether?

I have a bold yet simple approach and want to create a generation of leaders who are not just skilled but also resilient and adaptive. It is time we as educators, learn what needs to be taught. 

In the rapidly changing world of business, my commitment to redefining education for the next generation stands as a testament to the power of innovation and leadership. My journey from a young girl growing up in a conservative household to a trailblazing educator at the forefront of business education is an inspiring reminder that with vision and perseverance, real change is possible. But for that, we as educators need to constantly adapt as well, reshaping the way we think and also, what we teach. 

Authored by Mahak Garg, Director of the PG Programme in Technology & Business Management at Masters’ Union.