Following in the path of Legends, Dr George Panicker and Capt. Shaji Sebastian established International STEAM Research (ISR) to create an advanced league of futuristic innovations as well as self-determined learners. Achieving remarkable success within a short span in India, ISR is the best service provider in S.T.E.A.M Experimental Learning, empowering schools pan India and a firm that offers its services at the most affordable cost in the world.

Nestled in the heart of Kolkata, India lies the seed of an educational revolution. International STEAM Research (ISR), established in 2020, embarked on a journey to transform how learners integrate the diverse realms of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. And now, with its recent incorporation in Delaware, USA, ISR LIFE has taken a monumental step, showcasing the prowess and potential of the Indian startup ecosystem on a global stage.

The acronym STEAM has transcended beyond being a mere conglomeration of subjects. The intricate fabric of modern education, weaves a tapestry that integrates each domain, making learning holistic, dynamic, and interdisciplinary. With the New Education Policy (NEP2020) being rolled out in India, there’s been a surge in the thirst for STEAM education. Answering this call with innovation and efficient commitment, ISR LIFE has emerged as a beacon, illuminating the path for institutions and learners alike.

Trailblazing into Business: Unveiling the Roots of Career Journey

Among the key determinants of a well-structured personality is education, a subject most people are enthusiastic about, Dr. George Panicker is an educationist who probably needs no introduction. He is also a successful author and entrepreneur. Dr. Panicker states, “Being mind full is not the same as being mindful, hence one should never let their education restrict knowledge”.

He believes that it is important to consistently promote curiosity among students to allow them to be their creative best in the present era of innovation. Therefore, schools must embrace failure as a way to learn rather than a sign of ineptitude. Students must be encouraged and assisted in developing a comprehensive perspective of everything through a concept of “Design Thinking” approach and become effective communicators developing resilience along with incorporating meaning into their work. Experiential STEAM education is the proven way forward, the world over.

Schools may have unique problems and issues that might stand in the way of developing a setting perfect for addressing the urgent demands of the present times. However, schools must provide children with the chance to be future-ready by doing and learning rather than rote learning. It is in this crucial area of the education sector that International S.T.E.A.M. Research (ISR), makes a major difference, unlike any other education service company, by working closely with schools as partners and helping them get on to the bandwagon of futuristic education in an affordable, sustainable and inclusive manner. However, this cannot be done without well-trained and highly committed human resources. ISR has been able to deliver high-quality STEAM Education services to its partners maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Crafting Success Strategies

ISR has always planned all of its deliverables based on precise indicators, risk analysis, and assumptions. In addition, ISR has good backup plans for its staff and partners at all times. Through periodic appraisals, employees receive frequent feedback on their personal growth and motivation. Furthermore, employees are consistently appreciated for their accomplishments. Alongside regular capacity-building training, employees are awarded the Employee of the Year Honours annually by the management. ISR encourages a cohesive atmosphere within the company where employees can function as individuals while also concentrating on team success. This helps employees to cooperate in a committed manner for a common goal.

“We always listen to our employees and move ahead doing all that we can to help them be agile and adaptive at all times. We don’t treat employees as mere resources for business” says Dr. Panicker.

“It is not that everything we do is going to be assuring a comfort zone for anyone, sometimes significant changes in doing things may be required for the overall growth of the company as well as employees, which may not be an ideal or comfortable situation. However, these changes are important and they help us all to experience and learn together” adds Dr. Panicker.

Companies that treat employees well during tough times attract a lot of talent. Even during the pandemic lockdowns when employees would work from home, not only were employees at ISR paid their salaries in full, but were also given extra benefits. When evaluating what career, what industry, and what company to work for, one must look beyond just the salary because a good work culture makes all the difference for an exciting career.

Nurturing Creativity in Organization and Shaping the Future of Business

Dr George Panicker an ardent proponent of heutagogy and a highly dedicated and fervent educationist, says, “We live in a world where content is copiously ubiquitous and easily accessible, making memorizing obsolete; hence the ISR STEAM Experimental Learning is context-based based and not just content-based.”

Dr Panicker further thinks that before it is too late, we must break the traditional shackles of the educational system and restore it completely. Customary aspects of education, like reading memorizing writing and doing arithmetic are insufficient to meet future demands. He adds that it is our responsibility to make our students proficient in the 4 Cs of the 21st century, Critical Thinking Creativity Communication and Collaboration.

He explains, “Today instead of college degrees, employers ask for qualities like creativity, ingenuity, innovation, agility and adaptability, critical thinking, complex problem-solving ability, people management skills, emotional intelligence and cognitive flexibility”. 

ISR empowers schools/institutions to develop mindful problem-solving solvers through Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, And Mathematics (STEAM) learning labs equipped with futuristic technology like Robotics, Drone, AI, AR, VR, IoT, Applied Coding, etc aligned to the various stages as NEP-2020 guidelines.

Navigating Industry Trends for Continuous Business Agility

Dr George Panicker believes that the future job market belongs to those who are heutagogical  and versatile. Sophisticated technologies with AI, Robotics, IOT, Coding, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, etc will make the future workforce almost unrecognizable and will displace millions of workers.

“Glimpses of which we are already experiencing today, with artificial intelligence being used by law firms, banks, accounting firms, hospitals, corporations, and education platforms, have already started displacing jobs,” he cites.

To help students Dr. George Panicker get a first-hand experience of innovation relevant in the present day industries keeping in mind the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, a mega event of invention literacy, titled MuseVention by ISR LIFE, USA, was held at the Science City in Kolkata on 22 December, 2023, for the first time in India. Organized in partnership with Our Lady Queen of the Missions School, Park Circus, Kolkata, the event was a resounding success.   

MuseVention is a term that combines “Muse” and “Invention” to describe the creative spark that leads to inventing something new. A muse is a source of inspiration for artistic or intellectual work, often imagined as a divine or supernatural force that stimulates creativity. In ancient Greek culture, the Muses were nine goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences and inspired poets, musicians, and inventors.

‘MuseVention’ is not just an event, it is a celebration of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. It is an outcome showcased by students who have been learning through ISR STEAM Experiential Learning, integrating and applying knowledge gained especially from their classroom subjects for the past two years, and have presented their inventions and innovations that solve real-world problems augmenting with futuristic technologies such as IOT, AI, Robotics, Design Thinking etc. 

“We are proud to empower and mentor young minds to be Future-Ready. Our ISR programme helps schools to holistically develop Problem-Solvers through enquiry and research-based, hands-on Sustainable STEAM Experiential Learning embracing a multidisciplinary approach contributing to 8 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations by fostering a culture of responsible invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship among students.” said Dr. George Panicker.

Reflecting on Milestones that Defines Career Journey

International S.T.E.A.M Research is an ISO Certified Company and has partnered with global institutions and organizations like I.B.M., Google, Adobe, T.E.D, Strawbees- Sweden, Jugend Eine Welt- Austria, Artec – Japan, Amity University, Don Bosco University, etc, to ensure that STEAM education services offered to their partners are of international standards.
ISR is an Awardee of many National and International awards such as Brand of the Year, Best S.T.E.A.M Education Company, Go Global, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, to name a few.

“Being recognised for our work and being awarded these prestigious awards are motivating factors and our employees are extremely proud of these achievements. For me, these recognitions are encouraging, but nothing compares to the accolades we receive from students, parents, teachers, principals and thought leaders” says Dr. Panicker.

Charting the Course of Business and Industry Evolution

In fact, according to Dr. George Panicker, the NEP2020 is a Revolutionary document, and it positions India as a leader in education 4.0 encompassing all stake holders of the educational ecosystem. It encourages teachers to go beyond the traditional selective and limited curriculum-based teaching by enabling them to leverage futuristic assistive technologies. This helps improve student engagement through personalised learning and out-of-the-box thinking which are crucial aspects of Education 4.0.”

“The future of education lies in integrated Experimental Learning with practical, research-based activities in the schools’ core pedagogy so that students can develop their Metacognitive skills,” says Dr. Panicker. 

He adds that to develop a scientific mentality in students, S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) experiment learning hands-on activities is proving to be the perfect methodology as the students learn having fun without the fear of failure.

Apart from the global channel partner countries, presently ISR is working in 10 states pan India, i.e. Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Meghalaya and West Bengal.

ISR will continue sharing its expertise and empower schools pan India to provide programmes based on the principles of STEAM, which are vital for students to thrive in a competitive economy.

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