Page 50 - EW July 2025_Neat

Cover Story

Dr. Nissar Ahmed
Chancellor, Presidency University, Bangalore
r. Nissar Ahmed is Chancellor,
Presidency University
D(estb.2013) and chairman
of the Bengaluru-based Presidency
Group of Institutions (PGI,
estb.1976) which comprise eight
CBSE/CISCE-affiliated schools,
four undergrad/postgrad colleges
and Presidency University with
an aggregate 30,000 students and
2,500 teachers.

Objectives set for Presidency University
for India’s 100th Freedom Anniversary
in 2047. Dr. Nissar Ahmed (centre) with Presidency students
We have set the following goals:
Reinforce our teaching-learning into
a student-centric ecosystem provid-
ing equal access to skills-acquisition ments/advancement in their indus- What’s your prescription for transform-
irrespective of caste, creed, religion, try sectors. Our deans and faculty ing India into a $30 trillion GDP economy
race or gender; develop and re- collaborate actively with these in- by 2047?
tain competent teaching resources dustry representatives to design and The Viksit Bharat 2047 target is am-
aligned with best global standards develop contemporary curriculums. bitious but not impossible. To attain
of teaching-learning; develop and the $30 trillion GDP target, India
sustain a research-focused univer- How satisfied are you with your connect should record an annual GDP growth
sity, creating an active and robust with Indian industry and business? of around 9 percent per year, which
research community among students Deeply satisfied. We ensure that according to government estimates
and teachers; initiate and sustain our Board of Studies members keep will result in per capita income of
robust international mobility pro- us updated of the new technology- Rs.15 lakh per annum — cf. Rs.2.2
grammes for students and faculty disrupting start-ups that spring lakh per year currently.
through differentiated partnerships up every now and then. We have Higher education institutions
with like-minded yet reputed univer- established an incubation and in- have to contribute by way of provid-
sities; and establish a platform for novation hub under the name and ing contemporary, quality education
digital learning by factoring MOOC style of Presidency Launch Pad, a that equips students with cutting-
as part of the university curriculum company established under Section edge technological skills; build an
canvas. 8 of the Companies Act. More than ecosystem that fosters research
150 incubatees and our students and innovation; promote incuba-
How satisfied are you with your progress and faculty members are exposed to tion centres to encourage start-ups
thus far? new technology developments and and entrepreneurship; encourage
Very satisfied. Indeed over the past involved with incubatee companies academic-industry collaboration for
decade, we have migrated from being in many instances. research and internships.
a traditional university of learning to
an institution of experiential learn- R&D and innovation are widely perceived How optimistic are you about India’s
ing; introduced a plethora of choice- as Indian academia’s infirmity. What’s future growth and development?
based electives and are focused on your institutional response to create new I am very optimistic that India is
outcomes-based learning. knowledge? poised to become an economic
Focus on research publications In Presidency we strongly believe powerhouse by 2050. We are on the
and sponsored research has shown that a university of repute has to verge of becoming the third largest
a steep upward curve. Our goal is to encourage research for community economy worldwide. There is new
transform from being an academic well-being and advancement. There- awareness and emphasis on innova-
institution into a research-centric fore we are firm in our belief that tion, digital transformation; state-of-
university. the best teachers are those who are the-art infrastructure development
equally adept at research. Research supported by an energetic start-up
What are your major initiatives to radi- and academics are two sides of the culture.
cally contemporise your syllabus/cur- same coin. We encourage our teach- With a large youth population
riculum? ers to publish at least two papers and proliferation of quality private
Our Board of Studies comprises per year in Scopus indexed journals. universities, the country will soon
representatives from domain specific Students are also continuously en- have a huge talent pool of skilled
and associated industries, who keep gaged in research projects under the professionals enjoying ease of doing
us abreast with the latest develop- guidance of faculty mentors. business in India.

50 EDUCATIONWORLD JULY 2025