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Cover Story

again. And MAHE is responding to
this national development narrative
by actively shaping it.
Atul Khosla
Vice Chancellor, Shoolini University

n alum of IIT-Kanpur and
the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute
Aof Management Studies,
Mumbai, with work experience in
high-end consultancy firms including
McKinsey & Co, New York, Atul
Khosla is Vice Chancellor of Shoolini
University, Himachal Pradesh
(estb.2009).
What are the major objectives set for
Shoolini University until India’s freedom
Lt. Gen. Venkatesh (centre) with MAHE students centenary year?
We aspire to be among the Top 10
targets, as documented in reports and several specialised centers universities globally — on a par with
to the Union ministry of education. of excellence. Prominent among elite institutions such as Harvard,
Moreover, our institutional them is the Central Analytical Oxford, and Stanford.
progress is evident in our excellent Instrumentation Facility (CAIF)
performance across several notable which provides a sophisticated How satisfied are you with your progress
rankings. MAHE is ranked #4 in research and development thus far?
the National Institutional Ranking environment across disciplines, Shoolini University has rapidly
Framework (NIRF). Internationally, including materials science, established itself as India’s highest-
MAHE holds a strong position biomedical sciences, and life ranked private university across all
in the Times Higher Education sciences. The Manipal Institute of globally respected ranking systems,
subject rankings, as well as in its Technology (MIT) houses the MIT- including QS, Times Higher Educa-
Asia rankings and Impact Rankings. KEF R&D Centre, a collaborative tion (THE), and US News & World
Additionally, the university is effort with KEF Infra Pvt. Ltd. Report. Despite these significant
represented in the QS World Moreover, the MIDAS, DST-MAHE achievements, we remain driven and
University Rankings and the QS Hub functions as a regional center ambitious. Our focus is on enhancing
Sustainability Rankings. for healthcare technologies and student success, producing world-
medical devices. We are heading class research, fostering entrepre-
Industry engagement. I am highly towards achieving an ‘Atmanirbhar neurship, and creating measurable
satisfied with MAHE’s engagement Bharat’ in medical devices. impact in the communities we serve.
with industry and business. The To reflect this bold aspiration, we
university has a dedicated Corporate Prescription for transforming India have revised our institutional vision.
Relations office to effectively into $30 trillion economy by 2047. A By 2030, we aim to be among the top
coordinate industry connections. multifaceted strategy is needed 100 universities globally in the QS
We support industrial startups to advance India’s aspiration to and THE rankings.
through initiatives such as the become a $30 trillion economy by
Manipal Universal Technology 2047. While capital investment and What are your major initiatives to
Business Incubator, the Manipal consumer spending are important, contemporise Shoolini U’s syllabus /
GoK Bio Incubator, and the Manipal developing intellectual capital curriculum?
Innovation Instrument, Devices and is critical. Moreover, developing We have radically transformed our
Allied Services (MIDAS). We also innovative ecosystems and curriculum to embed artificial intelli-
value our collaboration agreements establishing institutions focused gence, data science, and digital tools
with highly respected corporates on generating and applying new across all disciplines — from sciences
including Philips India, Toyota, Dr. knowledge are essential. In MAHE, and engineering to liberal arts and
Reddy’s Labs and representative we are committed to delivering business management. We’ve moved
business organisations such multidisciplinary education to beyond traditional pedagogy to adopt
as FICCI, CII, and the Indian develop outstanding human flipped classrooms, project-based
Merchants’ Chamber. resources, especially for healthcare, learning, and immersive labs.
technology, industry, social sciences,
R&D initiatives. MAHE’s innovation arts and humanities sectors. How satisfied are you with your connect
and research activities are supported I believe India is poised to become with Indian industry and business?
by a big budget of Rs.300 crore the world’s intellectual hub once We have actively built strong indus-

54 EDUCATIONWORLD JULY 2025