Education as Economic Capital: EICBI Marks Its 30th UK Parliament Session

Marking the UN International Day of Education

The Europe India Centre for Business and Industry (EICBI) hosted its 30th session at the UK Parliament on 28 January 2026, marking the UN International Day of Education. The session was co-presented by Water & Shark, a global professional services and advisory firm.

Education Beyond Academia: A Foundation for Economic Value

The discussion focused on education’s role in building and protecting economic value across trade, investment, and wealth creation. Speakers highlighted education as a lifelong process—extending well beyond formal academic qualifications.

Opening Remarks and EICBI’s Strategic Vision

The session opened with remarks by Mr. Sujit S. Nair, Chairman of EICBI, who underscored education as the foundation of sustainable economic value creation. He also highlighted EICBI’s long-term commitment to strengthening engagement between India, the UK, and Europe.

Parliamentary Keynotes on Education and Economic Resilience

Keynote addresses were delivered by Lord Rami Ranger and Lord Kuldip Sahota, Members of the House of Lords. Hon. Dr. Neil Shastri-Hurst, MP for Solihull West and Shirley, also addressed the session, becoming the 29th British MP to participate in an EICBI UK Parliament session. The keynote session was moderated by Mr. Abhishek Tripathi, Vice Chair of EICBI, with discussions linking education policy to long-term economic resilience.

Global Perspectives on Education, Technology, and Community Impact

Expert presentations followed, spanning education, technology, and community engagement. Ms. Kerry Bannigan from PVBLIC Foundation spoke on transforming global education, highlighting its role in addressing global challenges and inequality. Mr. Raaj Shamji from Birmingham City University discussed public and community engagement, sharing insights on how universities connect education with local economic impact. Mr. Aborode Olusegun from Surgence Labs spoke on emerging technologies and data, linking education with innovation and future-ready skills.

Bridging the Digital Divide and Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI

Following this, Ms. Shabana Qureshi, Community Ambassador at Birmingham City University, addressed the critical issue of bridging the digital divide in education. Mr. Sartaj Ahuja spoke on continued education in the age of AI, emphasising the need for continuous upskilling to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven economy.

Education, Wealth Continuity, and Informed Investment

Core sessions explored education’s role in wealth continuity and value creation. Adv. CA Harsh Patel from Water & Shark spoke on education and wealth transfer, while CA Dixit Jain, also from Water & Shark, addressed impact investing and the importance of informed decision-making.

Strengthening EU–India and UK–India Economic Collaboration

The session concluded with networking among policymakers, educators, and business leaders. Participants discussed opportunities for stronger EU–India and UK–India economic collaboration. The event reinforced education’s central role in trade, investment, and wealth continuity, aligning closely with EICBI’s mission and long-term vision.

A Milestone in EICBI’s UK Parliament Engagement

This 30th UK Parliament session marked another milestone in EICBI’s ongoing journey to build platforms that connect policy, education, and economic value.