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in the world; preserve thus far?
our Indian values and IIIT-H has progressed well in a
spirituality; encour- short time. Particularly since we
age entrepreneur- have no guaranteed support from
ship across every government or the private sector
region and sector to for operational or capital expenses.
unlock innovation IIIT-H is the first and perhaps the
and opportunity; cut only institution that has achieved
red tape drastically, such academic glory among non-
allowing ordinary government institutions. However,
Indians to build and we are focused on the journey ahead,
scale capital-intensive where we want to contribute towards
enterprises with transforming India into a global
ease, and support technology powerhouse.
Atul Khosla (centre) Indian companies to
go global, position-
try connections through collabora- ing them not just as service provid-
tions, internships, live projects, and ers, but as innovators, creators, and
industry-led courses. Aware of the global leaders.
need for deeper engagement, we With courage, clarity, and collec-
are embedding industry-relevant tive action, we can shape a prosper-
skills directly into our curriculum to ous and purpose-driven future for
ensure students are future-ready. We India and the world.
have launched advanced research
and innovation centres, includ- P.J. Narayanan
ing the state-of-the-art R.C. Oswal Director, IIIT-Hyderabad
Nanotechnology Lab sponsored by
Vardhman, and a cutting-edge AI
and Futures Centre modelled on n alum of IIT-Kharagpur
the Edinburgh Futures Institute, to and the University of
incubate startups. Strengthening AMaryland, and former
our connect with industry remains professor of robotics at Carnegie
central to our global vision and real- Mellon University, USA, Dr. P.J. Dr. P.J. Narayanan
world impact. Narayanan was appointed director
of the International Institute of
R&D and innovation are widely perceived Information Technology, Hyderabad What are your major initiatives to
as Indian academia’s infirmity. What’s (IIIT-H) in 2013. IIIT-H is routinely contemporise IIIT-H syllabi /curriculum?
your institutional response to create new ranked among India’s Top 3 private Research-led education has been our
knowledge? engineering institutions in the curricula philosophy from the start.
Great institutions and universities annual EW India Higher Education This objective makes every student a
cannot be built without research Rankings. researcher. We believe this will make
and innovation deeply embedded them experts in research, product
in their culture and vision. Our What are the major objectives set for development, and other professional
vision is bold: to be ranked among IIIT-H until India’s Freedom Centenary in activities.
the top 100 global universities in 2047?
research and innovation by 2030. IIIT-Hyderabad is only 27 years old How satisfied are you with your connect
I’m especially proud that Shoolini is but has made significant strides in with Indian industry and business?
now India’s # 1 private university in teaching and research. It is ranked We have very good — if not the
research citations according to QS #1 in India in AI (artificial intelli- best — connection with industry
2026, and a national leader in patent gence) and #100 globally. We want among our peer institutions. This
filings with over 1,500 patents. But to be ranked in the Top 25 globally has resulted in sponsored proj-
we’re just getting started. by 2047. ects, joint activities, upskilling, etc.
IIIT-H has 2,000 students today. However, there is potential to engage
What’s your prescription for transform- While we don’t envisage becoming more deeply with industry. I believe
ing India into a $30 trillion GDP economy a large institution, we aim to double IIIT-H can become the thinktank of
by 2047? our student strength to 5,000 by Indian industry in computing.
For India to become a $30 trillion 2047. Our objective is to develop R&D and innovation are widely perceived
economy by 2047, we need bold and competent, creative, and caring as Indian academia’s infirmity. What’s
purposeful initiatives. Among them: students who will emerge as leaders your institutional response to create new
heavy investment in research and in technology and society. Our focus knowledge?
innovation to drive long-term eco- is on impact, not numbers. The founding philosophy of IIIT-
nomic growth; transform our higher How satisfied are you with your progress H is research. Therefore, there is
education system into one of the best

JULY 2025 EDUCATIONWORLD 55