We are pleased to announce the creation of the PASCAL Centre for Lifelong Learning Ecosystems in India, an associated centre of the PASCAL Asia-Pacific centre in Manila, Philippines. This new initiative aims to shape the development of Lifelong Learning Ecosystems through research, policy intervention, and stakeholders' engagement. Just like other PASCAL centres and associated centres worldwide in the UK, Finland, Italy, Hungary, the US, Australia, South Africa, the Philippines and Bangladesh, this Centre is committed to bridging knowledge gaps between researchers, professionals, and policymakers and building strategic partnerships that generate evidence-based policies and practices.
The PASCAL Centre for Lifelong Learning Ecosystems is hosted by the Centre for Excellence in Lifelong Learning at Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kalady, Kerala; is facilitated by the Forum for Lifelong Learning, India; and works in collaboration with the ASEM Lifelong Learning Hub Regional Centre for South Asia. It was initially announced on the 12th of November, 2025, during the 19th PASCAL International Observatory Conference and the 3rd ASEM LLL Hub Regional Centre for South Asia Annual Conference: Towards Lifelong Learning Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future, hosted by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut, India, from 10th to 12th November, 2025, and co-organised by NIT Calicut, Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology, PASCAL International Observatory, and ASEM Lifelong Learning Hub Regional Centre for South Asia.
The Centre works in association with the PASCAL Asia-Pacific Regional Centre, hosted by the University of the Philippines. The Centre comprises the following five key elements: a research observatory; a policy laboratory; a strategic partnerships platform; a capacity incubator; and a resource laboratory.
It is directed by Dr Shalini Singh, and will have an international advisory board to be announced shortly.