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Last month, I hosted a delegation from the University of Birmingham to explore collaboration opportunities with Ashoka University. We had fantastic discussions around cross disciplinary research, addressing environmental challenges, mental health, maternal health, data and more. In my view, these visits are foundational to building robust international partnerships. While conclusive outcomes may not emerge from 1-2 visits, and it often takes months for such initiatives to materialise, here’s why they are important: 👉 They offer a platform for exchanging ideas and identifying areas where both parties can collaborate to advance their common goals. 👉 These preliminary discussions offer clarity about mutual interest, complementarity, and the potential for meaningful engagement, thereby informing the decision-making process. Such interactions are essential for establishing impactful and lasting research partnerships and for relationship building. Whether through joint research projects, student and faculty exchanges, or co-developing academic programs, partnerships enable us to offer a richer and more diverse educational experience. The key takeaway from this experience is that when two great universities collaborate, their combined impact is greater than if they didn’t, even if they are among the best. I look forward to continuing our discussions with the University of Birmingham and other potential partners as we work towards combining forces to make a real difference. #collaboration #opportunities #internationaluniversities #partnerships

“Whenever anyone heard ‘liberal arts’, they instantly forgot ‘liberal’ and only heard ‘arts’,” a former student from my alma mater chuckled and told me. In 2024, India’s liberal arts pioneer, Ashoka University turned ten. While this misconception still persists; liberal arts, actually, means business. Consulting, Management and Marketing. After pouring over top B-school placement reports, these titles continue to be the top three career choices for its students.  For Ashoka? The same. Thanks, in large part, to its entrepreneurship department. Five years ago, it was rather a nondescript department. Now, catering to 1000-1500 students per semester, it's popularity is undeniable. Now, with Rs. 3400 crore in public and private capital, the university faces a dilemma. Does it continue to be a university which promotes “holistic “learning” and “intellectual curiosity” or become a B-school-like placement cell attached to a campus? In today’s Big Story, I write about this dilemma and track this shift which is already underway. The link is in the comment section. 

🌟 I'm happy to share that I'm connected Volunteerly as an Industry Mentor at Jinnah University for Women. !🌟 I’m excited to share that I am now volunteering as an Industry Mentor for the talented students at Jinnah University for Women! 🚀 As part of this role, I am guiding students through their Final Year Projects (FYP), helping them bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world industry practices of AI. I’m passionate about empowering these future leaders with practical insights, technical expertise, and career guidance that will prepare them for success in the rapidly evolving job market. Key areas of mentorship include: Project Development: Supporting students in transforming their ideas into industry-relevant, innovative projects. Technical Guidance & Problem-Solving: Assisting students with overcoming technical hurdles and implementing best practices in their work. Career Development: Offering advice on career paths, professional growth, and networking opportunities in the tech industry. Industry Insights: Sharing the latest industry trends, technologies, and market demands to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge to succeed. It’s a privilege to help nurture the next generation of engineers, data scientists, and tech innovators, and I’m looking forward to seeing the incredible work these students will create! #IndustryMentor #Volunteer #JinnahUniversityForWomen #FYP #TechMentorship #Education #Innovation #FutureLeaders #CareerDevelopment #AI #MachineLearning #WomenInTech It's a great organization - please comment below or message me if you would like to learn more or get involved.

💡 "Creativity is thinking up new things, and innovation is doing new things." - Theodore Levitt. The journey of innovation often begins with keen observations of the world around us. And where better to cultivate this spirit of innovation than in our schools, which serve as the best observatory laboratories for young minds. Enter the transformative initiative led by Mr. Rajhans Pardhikar and Mr. Rohan Chawhan at the जिल्हा परिषद प्राथमिक शाळा हेटीटोला केन्द्र -कोटरा पं.स. सालेकसा, under the program दप्तर मुक्त शाळा उपक्रम, विषय:-कार्यानुभव. This innovative program challenges students to create durable and useful items from seemingly mundane materials, showing them how to turn what is considered waste into something valuable. It encourages them to explore unconventional ideas and think outside the box. From repurposing old newspapers into stunning artworks to crafting innovative solutions from discarded items, these young innovators are redefining the boundaries of creativity and resourcefulness. They are not just learning academic lessons but are also honing practical skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. By fostering a culture of innovation and hands-on experience, this initiative is empowering students to become problem-solvers and change-makers in their own right. It's a powerful testament to the transformative impact of education that goes beyond traditional textbooks and exams. The ripple effects of this initiative are profound, sparking a wave of curiosity, creativity, and passion for innovation among students. They are not just learning about innovation; they are living it, breathing life into ideas that have the potential to shape a brighter future for us all. Let's salute the vision and dedication of Mr. Rajhans Pardhikar, Mr. Rohan Chawhan, and the team at जिल्हा परिषद प्राथमिक शाळा हेटीटोला केन्द्र -कोटरा पं.स. सालेकसा for lighting the spark of innovation in the hearts of young learners. Innovation is not just about doing new things; it's about inspiring a mindset that embraces change, challenges the status quo, and paves the way for a future defined by limitless possibilities. Let's continue to nurture and celebrate innovation in our schools and beyond! 💭🚀 #innovation #creativity #education #youthempowerment #futureleaders #zillaparishadschool #governmentofmaharashtra #gondia #ceogondia #chiefministerfellowship #collectorofficegondia

In May 2024, I had the privilege of attending the Ashoka Young Scholars Programme conducted by their top-notch faculty. Over the course of the programme, I was exposed to various interesting topics such as philosophy, psychology, public policy and game theory. These topics were quite different from the traditional subjects taught at school. This not only provided me exposure to non-conventional areas but also encouraged me to engage me in thought-provoking discussions with the student community. All in all, the 1-week program helped me broaden my horizon, learn from university's seasoned faculty and build new networks serving as a stepping stone for future opportunities. In essence, three topics that I found the most interesting were: 1) Science Policy- This subject talked about the intersection of sustainability, policy and society. It taught me how science plays a vital role while making a policy related to sustainability so that it is a win-win for both society and government. 2) Critical Thinking- There are 6 important components you have to think about while critically evaluating a piece of information that is given to you. You have to interpret, analyze, inference, evaluate, explain and metacognitively analyze. These skills will help you analyze with criticality and logically look at a piece of information. 3) Academic Research (Economics)- Academic Research has become a budding career path for the future. World needs smart researchers to predict how it's going to look and function going forward. 

🌟 How to build a university Some of you know that the end goal of all my efforts in EdTech and academia is to build my own university. So, I was excited to have found "The New Global Universities" book by Bryan Penprase and Noah Pickus that describes how some of the most innovative universities were built. Here's what they say about launching a university: 1️⃣ Prestige Matters: Brand is key for a new university to attract funding and students.  So, Yale-NUS College and NYU Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi inherited prestige from their founding institutions. Ashoka University involved Ivy League alumni, Ashesi University built an advisory board that included top academics from UC Berkeley, University of Washington, and Minerva University provided an innovative educational model that garnered attention akin to Silicon Valley product launches. 2️⃣ Funding & Business Model: New university is extremely costly and vulnerable, so, you should choose sources of funding carefully.  Thus, Ashoka University shared the title of founders with 200+ donors, Fulbright University Vietnam benefited from government support, and The African Leadership University - from philanthropists and foundations. Ashesi University generated substantial backing from Silicon Valley and Microsoft, and Minerva University cut costs by choosing not to develop a physical campus. 3️⃣ Building & Launching: Many of the universities had a co-design year when students and staff worked together to build a strategy, prototype the new curriculum, and experiment with pedagogy.  As a result, they created strong missions and innovative approaches - e.g. The African Leadership University mission integrated work experience from internships, course work, and independent study instead of fixed bundles of courses. In case of Minerva University, majors are not organized by discipline. Instead, students can major in areas such as designing societies; cognition, brain, and behavior; contemporary knowledge discovery; and scalable growth. Besides, the book describes a new way of looking at education by these universities.  Being a part of the university system myself, next time will share my thoughts about its present and future (enough summaries:)) #Education #HigherEd #Innovation #EdTech

🌟 EILD Paves the Way for Erasmus+ 2025: Let’s Collaborate! 🌟 The European Institute for Local Development (EILD) is excited to announce our ongoing collaboration with members and partners to design and submit innovative proposals under the Erasmus+ Program for 2025. Our priorities for the upcoming year reflect our commitment to addressing key societal challenges and fostering impactful change: ✨ AI in Local Development – Leveraging technology to drive sustainable growth. ✨ Training for Groups with Mental Health Challenges – Empowering communities with tailored educational programs. ✨ Women’s Entrepreneurship – Supporting and fostering female-led business initiatives. ✨ Ethical and Social Economy – Promoting practices that balance profitability with social and environmental impact. At EILD, we’re always open to fresh ideas and new partnerships! If you’re interested in collaborating or have suggestions for impactful projects, we’d love to hear from you. Together, let’s shape the future of Erasmus+ in 2025! 📩 Reach out to us to explore the possibilities. #ErasmusPlus #Collaboration #Innovation #LocalDevelopment #SocialImpact #AI #WomenEntrepreneurship #MentalHealth #SocialEconomy

Recently, a delegation from the University of Lille 1 Sciences and Technology visited Ashoka University. Lille, a French university with over 80,000 students, has thoughtfully evolved its systems to actively engage with its partners. What stood out to me during our discussions was how enabling their structures are in supporting international collaboration. Internationalisation today requires frameworks that move beyond traditional, case-by-case partnerships. For universities to thrive globally, they must create mechanisms that foster genuine engagement and the opportunity to sustain and further grow these. Some of their notable initiatives are opportunities for international students to join their interdisciplinary graduate programmes and faculty exchange. When done right, internationalisation is about reshaping education through global collaboration and building a richer and more interconnected academic community. Stéphane Thys, Arielle Meunier #internationalisation #highereducation #universitypartnerships #globalcollaboration #internationalstudents

The #InterGenic project is making progress as it continues its activities. Yesterday, the consortium met again after successfully completing all the workshops planned for the first phase. In total, 14 workshops were held—7 with young people and 7 with older adults. The participation was impressive, with over 150 individuals taking part, highlighting the importance of the twin transitions in Europe. With this significant milestone achieved, the project now enters into the next phase of collecting and analyzing all the gathered information. This data will form the foundation for developing a comprehensive training package following a co-creation methodology. The goal is to equip participants with the necessary skills to serve as intergenerational mentors, fostering connections and learning between different age groups. The consortium is excited about this next step, as it marks a pivotal moment in ensuring that both young and senior participants are well-prepared to engage in meaningful mentorship roles. This effort underscores the project's commitment to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where knowledge and experiences are shared across generations. Stay tuned as the InterGenic project continues to bridge the gap between generations, fostering mutual growth and understanding. #InterGenicProject #IntergenerationalMentoring #DigitalSkills #SustainablePractices #YouthEmpowerment #SeniorEngagement #TwinTransitions #CommunityBuilding #EuropeInitiative #LifelongLearning #Collaboration #Innovation Universitat Jaume I INIT-UJI UoL Research Center University of Limassol Innovation Education Lab Eurospeak Erasmus Projects Materia Group InterAktion - Verein für ein interkulturelles Zusammenleben Center for Sustainable Entrepreneurship Odisee

😎 I'm happy to share that I've been awarded a #scholarship to study the course 'Power and Influence for Positive Impact' - Social Innovation + Change Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard Business School. I'm excited to learn and apply content by Julie Battilana and her team. My journey in social impact began at the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation, where I learned theory and practice in social entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and extrapreneurship. While supporting teaching activities at the Mst in Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School, I followed Battilana's work through research papers. Now, I have the opportunity to learn directly from her. In my scholarship application, I outlined my current work at Brunel Business School Brunel Hive in startup acceleration, business support, and impact capital/resource building in a developing economy in Asia. My goal is to understand the ecosystem and set an action plan to drive positive change. Over the coming weeks, I'll be exploring how to unlock my potential through the following steps 👣 👂 🤝 👁 : 1. Recognize your sources of power. 2. Understand and shift power dynamics. 3. Assess your network's alignment with goals. 4. Address stereotypes hindering trust. 5. Adapt influence styles to situations. 6. Identify predominant influence styles. 7. Understand existing power structures. 8. Evaluate environmental readiness for change. 9. Conduct stakeholder analysis. 10. Develop an action plan for success. I'm looking forward to this incredible learning journey ahead!