Mumbai, October 26th, 2026: Birla Open Minds has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Burlington English, an English language learning provider with over four decades of experience and a presence in more than 45 countries, to integrate digital resources with its English Reader textbooks for Grades 1 to 8. The collaboration aims to transform print-based learning into a multimodal experience through interactive vocabulary tools, Shuffle Plus games, videos, documentaries, songs and digital worksheets, enabling students to see, hear, speak, play and create with the language.

Scheduled for rollout across all schools in the network from the 2027–28 academic session, the initiative will make resources accessible through the Birla Open Minds app, extending learning from classrooms to homes. Aligned with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Frameworks, the programme will strengthen students’ vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills while equipping teachers with ready-to-use resources and tools for differentiated learning.

Commenting on the collaboration, Nirvaan Birla, Managing Director, Birla Open Minds, said, “We are very happy to partner with Burlington English to make English learning more engaging, interactive and relevant for students. We believe that children learn best when they actively experience what they are taught. By integrating digital resources with our English Readers, we aim to bring every English lesson to life, helping students not just read the language, but hear it, speak it, explore it and use it with confidence. This is an important step towards nurturing capable communicators prepared for an increasingly interconnected world.”

The integration will complement textbook chapters with multimedia content and play-based activities, encouraging vocabulary retention, comprehension, curiosity and confidence in communication. Teachers will also receive orientation on multimodal pedagogy, enabling them to blend print and digital resources into everyday lessons while using the worksheet generator to address varied learning needs.

Mr. Amit Baveja Managing Director, Burlington English India, Middle East and Southeast Asia said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Birla Open Minds in advancing a more engaging and interactive approach to English language learning. With over four decades of expertise and a presence across more than 45 countries, we recognise the value of combining structured learning with digital experiences. By integrating multimedia resources, interactive games and practical language activities, we aim to support teachers and help students develop stronger language skills and greater confidence. Together, we look forward to making English learning a more meaningful, immersive and rewarding experience.”

Through this collaboration, the two organisations aim to bring every English lesson to life, creating a connected learning experience that goes beyond the textbook and empowers students to communicate with confidence in a global environment.

The latest index released by QS Quacquarelli Symonds underscores a broader transformation within India’s higher education ecosystem, with a record 52 Indian universities securing spots on the list. This achievement establishes India as the fifth most represented nation globally and marks a 271 percent growth in representation since 2017.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan credited these stellar results to institutional reforms driven by the National Education Policy 2020. The findings indicate that academic excellence is diversifying beyond the IIT network, with 13 non-IIT institutions achieving their highest-ever global ranks. Other top Indian performers include IIT Bombay at 134th and IIT Madras at 170th, alongside notable upward movements from private and central universities nationwide.

education | educational institutions | IIT Delhi | Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | Indian universities | QS World Rankings 2027