The educational technology sector is facing a critical juncture as the Managing Director and CEO of Byju’s Aakash Educational Services Ltd (AESL), Deepak Mehrotra, calls attention to the unwelcome behavior fueled by investor funding in the industry. In an exclusive conversation with PTI, Mehrotra shared his insights on the current challenges and future directions of edtech.
Mehrotra, whose appointment as CEO came on Monday, has spent over three and a half decades in leadership positions across various industries, including FMCG, telecom, and education. The new CEO is recognized for his innovative leadership and broad industry experience.
As the edtech landscape undergoes rapid evolution, concerns arise about the sustainability and pedagogical efficacy of business models heavily influenced by venture capital and investor decisions. Mehrotra asserts that while investor funding has powered the growth and innovation within the industry, it also bears responsibility for instigating behaviors that could ultimately prove detrimental to the sector’s health. “Investors’ funding is very clearly driving behaviours which are not good for anyone,” Mehrotra emphasized, “I only hope sanity prevails.”
One of the critical challenges highlighted by the CEO is the increasing reliance on digital platforms for preparing students for highly competitive examinations, such as those required for entry into premier medical and engineering institutions. Mehrotra is frank in his assessment that a digital-only approach is insufficient for students aiming for the highest echelons of academic achievement. “It needs long learning. I am completely convinced it cannot be done digitally alone,” he stated, stressing the complex needs of aspiring students.
Despite this, Mehrotra acknowledges that digital mediums hold significant promise for catering to the ‘new learners’—the digital natives who are at ease with technology and online learning environments. In keeping with this perspective, AESL aims to embrace digital strategies to engage with these students in the language and format they prefer, while not abandoning the tried-and-true traditional pedagogical methods.
Mehrotra’s appointment as CEO is timely, following the departure of his predecessor, Abhishek Maheshwari, in September 2023. He brings a wealth of experience to the role. An alumnus of IIT Roorkee with an electrical engineering degree and an executive program alum from The Wharton School, Philadelphia, Mehrotra has a transformative vision for AESL.
Highlighting the backing AESL has received from notable entrepreneurs and educationalists, Mehrotra referred to the investment by Ranjan Pai of the Manipal Group, a figure with a storied background in delivering core higher education. This investment marks a significant vote of confidence in AESL’s mission to blend educational quality with innovation.
Prior to his new role at AESL, Mehrotra headed Ashirvad Pipes as its managing director and had stints at renowned companies such as Pearson India, Bharti Airtel, Coca-Cola, and Asian Paints. His crossover from other industries to education illustrates the dynamic convergence between business acumen and the pursuit of academic excellence.
In commenting on the need for consolidation in the edtech and test preparatory space, Mehrotra observed the significant shifts that have shaken up the industry. Many traditional brick-and-mortar institutions have extended their reach online, while online-first entities have set foot in the physical realm, hoping to offer more holistic services.
The new CEO’s observations underline a crucial period for edtech, where it must find a balance between digital innovation and traditional educational values. As Mehrotra takes the helm of AESL, his leadership is expected to steer the company through these transformative times with a focus on fulfilling the academic dreams of students while navigating the complex terrain shaped by investor influence.
