How a Mohali Man’s Experience in Finland is Revolutionizing Math Learning in South Asia

Chandigarh, India – April 5, 2025 – Avan Goel, a Mohali resident, is making strides in educational technology by leveraging his experiences in Finland to transform the way mathematics is taught in South Asia. Goel is the head of the South Asia hub for Eduten, a project developed by students at Finland’s University of Turku that employs artificial intelligence (AI) to gamify math learning.

Early Start in Educational Technology

Goel's journey began in 2008 when he was studying electrical engineering at Thapar University in Patiala. He founded his first edtech startup with a friend, inspired by experiential learning after winning a competition that took him to NASA in the United States. Following graduation, Goel explored educational models in Europe and North America, where he discovered Eduten, which was redefining math education through innovative methods.

Bringing Eduten to South Asia

Today, Goel operates Eduten's South Asia hub from an office in Zirakpur, Mohali. “Eduten transforms the feared subject of math into an enjoyable experience for students from kindergarten through Grade 10,” he explained. The platform gained recognition when it earned the 2022 UNICEF EdTech Award, further validating its approach to making learning fun.

Since 2022, UNICEF’s Global Learning Innovation Hub has collaborated with Eduten to facilitate its introduction in various countries with the goal of democratizing education. Goel recognized an opportunity in 2020 when the pandemic limited physical classroom access, prompting Eduten to seek expansion opportunities outside Finland. With years of experience with the company, Goel was given permission to lead its operations in South Asia.

How Eduten Works

At the core of Eduten's strategy are weekly digital mathematics lessons. Teachers assign online tasks for students to complete both in class and at home. The results have been promising, with teachers reporting lower workloads and increased engagement among students. In fact, 92% of students indicated they enjoyed the learning experience Eduten provides.

The platform's key features include AI-driven gamification which encourages students to practice math more frequently while enabling teachers to customize learning pathways based on each student’s individual needs. School administrators can track progress through a central dashboard, allowing them to monitor strengths and weaknesses in student performances. “Our focus is on reducing math anxiety while educating students in topics ranging from algebra to geometry,” Goel stated.

International Expansion

Eduten is currently seeing success in Bhutan, where the government has begun implementing its tools nationwide for grades 4 and 5. Sri Lanka is poised to follow, with teacher training set to start soon. In India, although states like Punjab have expressed interest, the broader scale-up of Eduten has been gradual. “To reach the 260 million children in India's government schools, we need faster reforms, particularly in adopting AI in education,” Goel noted, acknowledging the challenges faced by the sector.

A Holistic Approach to Education

Frank van Cappelle, who leads the UNICEF Global Learning Innovation Hub in Helsinki, praised the collaboration, stating, “These results demonstrate how the excellence of Finnish education, UNICEF’s global reach, and the agility of a startup can produce real educational gains for children.”

Goel addressed concerns about excessive screen time amongst children, clarifying that Eduten is not intended to replace traditional teaching; rather, it aims to complement it by blending innovative technologies with conventional methods.

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, the South Asia hub has provided free math modules to monastic schools and partnered with the Tata Steel Foundation to help underprivileged students prepare for and succeed in entrance exams for top schools.

Looking to the Future

For Goel, the initiative transcends commercial interests. “Education should be enjoyable and stress-free,” he emphasized, “as this mindset can cultivate a future generation of innovators.” As he continues to expand Eduten’s reach in South Asia, Goel remains committed to reshaping the educational landscape and making math more accessible and engaging for all students.