EDex Awards 2025 – Chennai Celebrates the Trailblazers of South Indian Education

The EDex Awards is proud to announce the successful conclusion of EDex Awards 2025 which was held in Taj Wellington Mews, Chennai, 9th May 2025. The event lit up the stage with a vibrant celebration of Excellence, Innovation, & Leadership in South Indian education.

The event brought together an elite gathering of Educators, Institution Heads, Thought Leaders, & Dignitaries to recognize & honour those shaping the future of learning across the South Region. The event featured a dynamic lineup of honouring esteemed guests, keynote speakers, and panel discussions that addressed the most pressing topics in education today, including The Ripple Effect of Strong Leadership in Schools and other educational institutions.

EDex Awards – Celebrating Educational Excellence

The EDex Awards are a hallmark of educational distinction, aimed at recognizing institutions & individuals who go beyond the traditional to Innovate, Inspire, & Impact. This year’s edition showcased some of the top preschools, K-12 Institutions, Educational Leaders, & Innovators from across South India.

Event Highlights Included:

Honouring the Esteemed Guests

Sri Sri Dr. Prakashnath Swamiji, Managing Director of BGS & SJB Group of Institutions, graced the occasion as our esteemed Guest of Honour. Renowned for his visionary leadership, Swamiji’s unwavering commitment to Holistic Education, Infrastructural Brilliance, and Social Upliftment has left an indelible mark on Karnataka’s educational landscape. In recognition of his immense contributions, he was also conferred with the title “Educational Beacon of Karnataka 2025.”

The event was graced by other eminent guests, including:

• Mr. Amarender Mallineni, General Secretary of India Next News & Entertainment brings over 30 years of expertise in corporate strategy and governance.
• Mr. Jayakar Navarathna, Product Head – Vehicle Finance, Hinduja Leyland Finance Ltd., whose innovative financial strategies continues to drive the sector forward.
• Prof. Dr. R. Muthuselvan, Dean of Academics, Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute, is a respected name in medical education.
• Mrs. E. Rajitha Reddy, Chairperson of Hyderabad School of Business, also delivered the powerful keynote address. Known for pioneering stress-free, skills-driven learning environments, she was celebrated for her visionary approach to education.

Keynote Speeches

Notable speaker, Mrs. E. Rajitha Reddy, captivated the audience with insights on The Ripple Effect of Strong Leadership in Schools and other educational institutions.

The event opened with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, symbolizing knowledge and transformation. This ceremony was also joined by Dr. Kumaran Sampath, MD & CEO of AEGMA Capital Services Pvt. Ltd.

Thought-Provoking Panel Discussion

A standout moment was the panel discussion themed “From STEM to STEAM: Is ‘A’ the Missing Link?” Moderated by Dr. Kumaran Sampath, MD and CEO of AEGMA Capital Services Pvt. Ltd founder of Aegma Divine Kidz and Executive Director of MoneyWise the panel included:

• Dr. Srabani Basu – Associate Professor, SRM University – AP
• Ms. Arshleen Kaur Kalra – Head of Academics, KLAY Preschools & Daycare
• Ms. Dhanya K – Principal, Amrita Vidyalayam, Kozhikode
• Dr. Theporal – HOD of Arts & Humanities, Christ Academy Institute for Advanced Studies

The Award Ceremony

The EDex Awards 2025 proudly recognized esteemed Educational Institutions and individuals from South India for outstanding contributions across early childhood education, K-12, Higher Education, Engineering, Management, Law, and more. Some of the distinguished winners were:

• KLAY Preschools & Daycare – Esteemed Preschool of South India 2025 – Parent-Approved Preschool Chain;
• The Brigade Schools – Top CBSE School in Bengaluru 2025;
• Oakridge International School, Bengaluru – Academic Rigor & Values
• Chettinad – Sarvalokaa Education International School – All-Round Academic & Character Development

• Redbridge International Academy – Esteemed International School of South India 2025 – Safe & Effective Learning Environment
• National Model Group – Esteemed K12 Educational Group of South India 2025

• Shree Niketan Patasala, East Tambaram – CBSE School of South India 2025 – Experiential Learning and Life Skills Development
• Amrita Vidyalayam Group – multiple schools honoured
• Amrita Vidyalayam, Kozhikode – CBSE School – Tech-Integrated & Future-Ready Learning
• Narayana Group of Schools, Tamil Nadu – South India’s Most Trusted Network of Schools 2025
• Sparkling Mindz – Innovation in Game-Based Learning
• Shiv Nadar School, Chennai – Esteemed International School
• Ramaiah Institute of Management – Excellence in Corporate Relations
• Christ Academy Institute for Advanced Studies – Promising Campus for Innovation in Higher Education

Other notable winners included:

• Dr. Malini M Dutta – Iconic Face of K12 Education 2025
• Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutes – Best Coaching Provider Institutes in South India 2025
• Mr. S. Kunjithapatham – Visionary Leader in Education and Social Upliftment 2025
• Prof. (Dr.) Anjina Reddy K.R. – Visionary Principal in Legal Studies 2025
• Bishop Cotton Women’s Christian Law College – Esteemed Law School of South India 2025 – Commitment to Social Justice and Women’s Rights

• Annapoorna Engineering College – Most Innovative Engineering Curriculum, Engineering College of South India 2025
• SRMIST (Faculty of Management), Kattankulathur – Esteemed Business School – South India 2025
• Sasurie Institutions – Esteemed Educational Institution of South India 2025 – Distinguished Contribution to Holistic Education
• Dr. C. D. Naidu – Iconic Leader in Higher Education – Face of Excellence 2025
• Vivekanandha College of Arts and Sciences for Women – Esteemed Women’s College of South India 2025
• Avidus Academy of Management – Esteemed Business School of South India 2025 – Best Industry-Integrated MBA Program
• Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE) – Esteemed Deemed University in Medicine & Health Science – South India 2025
• Tagore Dental College – Esteemed Dental College of South India 2025

Brain Buzz – Icebreaking Activity

Also, the evening took a lively turn with an engaging icebreaking activity titled “Brain Buzz – The Rapid Fire Round.” Hosted with infectious energy, the game invited a volunteer from the audience to answer three quick general knowledge questions. With cheers & applause echoing through the hall, the session sparked friendly competition and laughter, setting a vibrant tone for the celebrations ahead. Lucky winners walked away with special goodies, making it a memorable highlight of the event.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

As the curtains came down on this grand celebration, the message was clear — quality education is the cornerstone of a brighter, more inclusive future. The EDex Awards reaffirmed their commitment to honoring those who lead this mission with passion and purpose. The EDex Awards extend gratitude to all Speakers, Panelists, Volunteers, & Participants who made the event a resounding success.

This article was originally published in Money Wise.