Page 15 - Amita Chauhan

Eduleader

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After your return to India in 1996, Amity International School, Saket was your family’s first initiative in Indian
education.
AIS, Saket, which admitted its first students in 1991, was the outcome of prolonged research of K-12 schools in Europe
and the UK. Our intent was to give back to Indian society and establish India as a global knowledge powerhouse.

What were the early challenges you faced while entering India’s education sector?
Relocating and settling in Germany soon after my marriage and raising six children with strong Indian values while
adapting to a foreign way of life, was the first major challenge I faced. The second was building a school from scratch
once we returned to India while continuing to nurture my children and helping them adjust to India’s distinctly dif-
ferent environment. However, I managed to successfully overcome these challenges with the strong support of my
mother and husband.

Within two decades the Amity Group has expanded into a preschool-university education provider with several
campuses abroad. What’s the secret of your quick success?
Having lived and worked in Europe for over two decades, we had become accustomed to meticulous planning and
speedy project execution. In addition, international benchmarking and quick adaptation of best pedagogies and prac-
tices are the major factors behind the fast growth and development of Amity preschools, schools and universities.

What would you say are the distinguishing features of Amity education?
Development of scientific temper, global perspective, entrepreneurship, life skills, combined with India’s time-tested
cultural values. We pride ourselves for delivering knowledge not just from textbooks, but from global experiences.

Thinker/philosopher you admire the most.
My father Dr. Shiv Raj Shastri, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and philosopher. He taught us that we need to translate
what we learn from textbooks into nation-building enterprises.

Your leadership style.
I believe in leading by example and nurturing our employees to assume leadership roles.

Your favourite book on education.
Every book has something to offer, but my favourites are the works of Swami Vivekanada, a great educator.

How satisfied are you with evolution of the Amity Group into an end-to-end preschool to Ph D provider of high-qual-
ity education to over 175,000 students per year?
I am proud that within two decades Amity Group institutions have established internationally benchmarked pre-
schools, schools and universities with strong Indian cultural values. My focus has been on the growth and develop-
ment of our Amity International Schools. Though I am fairly satisfied with their progress I still have many milestones
to cross.

What are your future growth and development plans for Amity International Schools?
We are currently focused on consolidating and upgrading our schools to ensure they are fully in step with changing
times.

Amita Chauhan | 67