ELT Summit 2025 Concludes in Pune with Global Collaboration and Pioneering Discussions on AI in Language Education

PUNE, India – The global academic community turned its eyes to Pune on 23rd and 24th May 2025, as the prestigious ELT Summit 2025 unfolded at MIT Art, Design and Technology (MIT ADT) University. Co-hosted by the International Society for Educational Leadership (ISEL) with active collaboration from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, UK, the summit brought together leading minds to delve into the evolving synergy between English Language Teaching (ELT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Over two days of intense dialogue, groundbreaking research, and collaborative learning, the summit solidified its reputation as a premier platform for academic exchange in the English language education space.

---

A Global Assembly of ELT Thought Leaders

The summit was conducted under the visionary leadership of Hon. Prof. Dr. Mangesh Karad, Executive President, MIT ADT University, and Dr. Krishnamurthy, President of ISEL. It was officially inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Rajesh S., Vice-Chancellor of MIT ADT University, who emphasized the need for balancing technological innovation with pedagogical empathy in his keynote address.

In his words,

“The future of education lies in our ability to harness technology while remaining deeply rooted in pedagogical empathy and learner-centric practices.”

Also present at the inaugural were Dr. Tarun Patel (Conference Chair), Dr. Atul Patil (Convener), and Dr. Kristin Hanson, whose opening plenary, titled “Linguistics and Poetics as an Antidote to the Virtual,” provided a profound lens into the value of humanistic perspectives amidst the rapid ascent of digital technologies.

---

AI and ELT: Insights from Global Experts

The plenary sessions featured renowned scholars and practitioners from top global institutions, including:

• Dr. Kristin Hanson – Professor, University of California, Berkeley, USA
• Dr. Huahui Zhao – Associate Professor, University of Leeds, UK
• Eric H. Roth – Lecturer, University of Southern California, USA
• Sara Davila – English Language Specialist, USA
• Dr. Ilka Kostka – Northeastern University, USA
• Richard Jones – University of Southern California, USA

From Cambridge University Press & Assessment, the summit welcomed:

• Ian Cawley – Product Manager
• Prof. Joanna Szoke
• Mr. Joshua Gnanakkan

Together, they addressed topics ranging from AI integration in hybrid classrooms to the ethical dimensions of AI in multilingual education, helping reframe the global narrative around language learning and emerging technologies.

---

Cross-Continental Participation and Research Excellence

The ELT Summit 2025 attracted over 121 research paper submissions from scholars across India, the United States, Canada, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Philippines, and Australia. Of these, approximately 80 papers were selected for presentation after rigorous review.

Key themes included:

• AI in blended and hybrid classrooms
• Tech-enhanced language instruction
• AI applications beyond ChatGPT
• Pedagogical challenges in the AI era
• Multilingualism and AI-driven inclusivity

Each paper brought fresh perspectives on how educators can integrate cutting-edge AI tools while preserving the human element crucial to language learning.

---

Honouring Lifelong Contribution to ELT

One of the summit’s most significant moments came during the valedictory ceremony, when the Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Prof. Z. N. Patil, President of the ETTAI Chapter, Pune. Presented by ISEL, the award recognized his decades-long contributions to English language education and his role in shaping a progressive, learner-centric ELT ecosystem in India.

Also gracing the valedictory event was Dr. Aarati Mujumdar, Head of the Department of General Education at the Modern College of Business and Science, Muscat, Oman, who acknowledged the importance of such academic collaborations for regional and global ELT advancement.

---

Building Cross-Border Educational Bridges

Summit convener Dr. Atul Patil, in his closing remarks, highlighted how the event not only pushed academic boundaries but also deepened international ties.

“This summit has showcased the synergy between AI and language education and reinforced our university’s vision of fostering collaborative knowledge-building across cultures and disciplines,” he noted.

He extended heartfelt thanks to ISEL and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, UK, for their unwavering support in making the summit a global success.

The summit’s inaugural session was smoothly coordinated by Dr. Ashok Ghuge and Prof. Amisha Jaykar, while the valedictory was compered by Prof. Sneha Waghtakar and Dr. Swapnil Shirsath.

---

Looking Ahead: AI and ELT as Partners in Progress

As the curtains came down on ELT Summit 2025, one thing was clear — AI is not a threat to language education, but a transformative ally. The summit served as a milestone in reimagining English language instruction through innovation, inclusivity, and international cooperation.

MIT ADT University and ISEL have set a new standard in academic conferencing, proving that when global collaboration meets local vision, the impact can echo far beyond the conference halls — into classrooms, research labs, and policy rooms around the world.