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Reliving the Magic of our First Regional Conference
The dust has settled at the O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) campus, but the momentum generated at the first-ever IC3 Regional Conference – South Asia is only just beginning. Held from 23 to 24 January 2026, this landmark event brought together 161 delegates for an immersive residential experience designed to rethink the future of student guidance.
The motive was clear: to move beyond the transactional nature of education and foster a systemic culture of counseling. In a world saturated with data, our theme “Looking Deeply – From Information to Insight” served as a North Star for every session, workshop, and conversation.
The academic heart of the conference featured a powerful keynote by Ashwin Srisailam and breakout sessions led by 26 global experts. A primary takeaway for the 127 high school delegates, 42 organization delegates, and 34 university delegates was the urgent need to shift from merely providing information (such as rankings and deadlines) to providing genuine insight (such as student fit, purpose, and long-term well-being).
Participants engaged in rigorous dialogue on navigating the evolving landscape of global admissions, the integration of AI in guidance, and the pressing need for mental health awareness in schools. Delegates left with a refreshed toolkit of strategies to help students make confident, purpose-driven decisions rather than merely following the loudest trends.
Institutional collaboration was a major focus, with the Network 10x session acting as a bridge between high schools and universities. We reimagined networking through the lens of a student’s journey. Instead of a standard exchange of business cards, delegates participated in a high-energy game of "Fire in the Mountain," which served to break down professional hierarchies.
The exchange of Scrapbooks allowed for a more personal, meaningful record of connections. This unique approach successfully catalyzed over 100 new institutional partnerships, focusing on how universities and schools can align more closely to support student transition and employability.
The residential format was not just about convenience; it was a deliberate pedagogical choice. For the delegates who arrived on 22 January for the Pre-event Blind Tasting & Movie Night, the learning began with an exercise in sensory perception and community building.
The campus itself became a living classroom. Through Campus Tours conducted over all three days, counselors didn't just hear about JGU; they experienced the academic environment firsthand. This deeper physical context is a critical takeaway for counselors who must now describe these environments to their students with authentic authority.
While activities like Zumba and Sport-o-Mania provided a power-packed start and a fun recess, their underlying value was in building trust. When a High School Principal and a University Director participate in a Lemon & Spoon race or a book-balancing challenge, the barriers of "titles" disappear. This creates a foundation of psychological safety, allowing for much more honest and productive professional collaborations during the breakout sessions.
The conference culminated in Prom Night and a Karaoke session, celebrating the resilient spirit of the counseling community. These moments of joy were the "glue" that turned professional acquaintances into a supportive regional network.
This historic launch was made possible by our host institution, O.P. Jindal Global University, and our dedicated student volunteers. We also thank our Host Schools: The Shriram Millennium School, Suncity School, The Shri Ram School, GD Goenka School, Kunskapsskolan India Schools, and The Knowledge Habitat Schools.
The inaugural South Asia Regional Conference has proven that the regional model is an effective vehicle for the IC3 mission. We leave Sonipat with 156 app-active users, dozens of new scrapbooks, and a clear vision for the decade of impact ahead.