- School’s core aim: nurturing inquiry, innovation and scientific temperament from an early age
- NEP 2020-aligned learning places research, questioning and experimentation at the heart of schooling
- IRIS National Fair positions ADIS as a launchpad for India’s future scientists
- 75 student innovators from 12 states converge in Ahmedabad for national-level research exposure
- Winning projects earn pathways to global science मंच, including ISEF 2026
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, FEB 9
Reaffirming its founding fiat of transforming schools into engines of inquiry, innovation and holistic growth, Adani International School (ADIS), Shantigram, hosted the IRIS National Fair 2025–26 (Cohort 2) from February 6 to 8, positioning Ahmedabad as a national hub for early-stage STEM research and innovation.
The three-day national programme brought together 75 young innovators from 12 states and 24 cities, along with educators, researchers and mentors, creating a vibrant ecosystem where curiosity-driven learning replaced rote instruction. Designed to push learning beyond textbooks and classrooms, the fair blended student research exhibitions, structured mentoring, symposia and public engagement, aligning seamlessly with the spirit of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
‘Schools Must Be Incubators of Ideas’: Rivaba Jadeja
Addressing the valedictory ceremony, Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja, Hon’ble Minister of State for Education, Government of Gujarat, stressed the importance of embedding research early in the education journey.
“Research is no longer confined to laboratories of universities. It begins in institutions like Adani International School. When students start asking questions early and learn to test ideas and learn from failure, they build the foundation of scientific temperament. Schools must therefore become incubators of ideas and solutions, not just centres of instruction,” she said.
Curiosity Beyond Textbooks: Namrata Adani
Echoing the school’s guiding philosophy, Namrata Adani, Promoter, ADIS and Director (Non-Executive), Adani Group, underlined the role of platforms like IRIS in shaping future-ready learners.
“At Adani International School, we believe curiosity must be nurtured early and learning must extend beyond textbooks. Platforms like the IRIS National Fair allow students to question, experiment and apply knowledge to real-world challenges,” she said.
Her leadership, educators noted, has shaped ADIS into a learning ecosystem where academic rigour converges with innovation, creativity and character-building.
Educators’ Conference and Student Research Take Centre Stage
The programme opened with a Principals’ and Educators’ Conference, bringing together school leaders from across Ahmedabad to deliberate on inquiry-based STEM pedagogy and experiential classroom practices. Students then showcased original, student-led research projects, supported by expert evaluation and mentoring, reinforcing the school’s aim of hands-on, application-oriented learning.
Formally inaugurated on February 7, the fair served as a qualifying platform for the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2026. The competition concluded with 15 projects receiving Gold Medals and 10 earning Silver Medals, with Gold Medal winners advancing to the final national selection round for global representation.
Strengthening Gujarat’s Education Ecosystem
The valedictory ceremony was attended by senior leaders, including Namrata Adani and Amit Singh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), International Energy Business, Adani Group, who addressed students on behalf of the diversified conglomerate.
Hosting the IRIS National Fair further reinforced Adani International School’s standing as an institution committed to holistic education, seamlessly integrating STEM research, global competitions, sports, arts and leadership development. The initiative contributes meaningfully to Ahmedabad and Gujarat’s evolving education ecosystem, positioning schools as active contributors to India’s scientific and innovation pipeline.
The successful conclusion of IRIS National Fair 2025–26 highlighted the growing role of schools as catalysts for early-stage research, collaboration and innovation, strengthening the foundation for India’s next generation of scientific thinkers.
The IRIS programme, an initiative of EXSTEMPLAR Education Linkers Foundation, works to promote scientific research among students from Grades V to XII, offering a national platform and pathways to represent India at prestigious global forums such as ISEF.
