How I see tech design for fragile systems: insights from my time at Tech4Education Conference at IIT Madras

Spoke at the Tech4Education Conference at IIT Madras this week, and it opened up a conversation that sits at the heart of what we do at ELICIT Foundation

the gap between technology and the lived realities of social-impact ecosystems.

Many NGOs aspire to build platforms and tools that strengthen their work, but the barriers are structural. It was grounding to hear fellow panelists echo similar realities from their contexts their insights added depth to the conversation and reminded us how shared these systemic challenges are when technology is designed far from context, it often creates more work for teams rather than easing it.

At ELICIT, working in fragile ecosystems has taught us that education is never just access or content.

Learning rests on safety, trust, belonging, and the emotional climate of classrooms

the very conditions that rarely show up on dashboards but determine whether learning can happen.

As we prepare for our research focus group discussions next year, we are also exploring collaborations to build a platform that can help us hold, organise, and learn from the insights emerging across our schools and communities.

Speaking at IIT Madras felt meaningful because it also reflected how much I’ve grown through ELICIT’s work.

Being part of this organisation has shaped the way I think about systems, design, field research, and policy not as separate practices, but as a shared language we use to understand complex realities and build towards change.

Grateful for the conversations, for the clarity they brought and deeply grateful to Lopa Shah for her steady belief, guidance, and trust. It’s rare to find leadership that creates space for you to grow into your own voice while holding the purpose at the centre.

by Avi Chowkhany

Service Design and Experience Lead

ELICIT Foundation