Q. Why did you start Ashoka University and what is your vision for this university?
A. The idea was to build a university of global standards. When we embarked on this journey 15 years ago, our vision was clear. We aimed to establish India's finest university that would also have a global ranking. At that time, it was evident that most Indian universities were not among the top hundred or even the top 200. There were only a few specialized institutions like IISc and some IITs that made it to the rankings. However, these institutions primarily focused on science and engineering.
We saw a need for an institution in India that could provide top-notch education across various disciplines. Currently, many people choose to go abroad for higher education. Our aim was to create a great university within India and demonstrate that it is possible.
Q. Could you please share your journey from starting ISB to establishing Ashoka?
A. When starting ISB, our initial focus was on establishing a business school. ISB's success inspired the emergence of new universities in India. While ISB prioritises its business school, I believed in building a more comprehensive university.
[With Ashoka University,] initially, we aimed for a university with diverse disciplines, but financial constraints led us to focus on liberal arts instead. Liberal arts encompass humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, including computer science. It emphasises both breadth and depth, allowing undergraduates to explore various subjects and change their preferences. Our approach also emphasises post-admission flexibility, a crucial aspect globally but not prevalent in India.
Q. Many seem to think liberal arts students struggle to get placed. What's your take on this?
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The 50 colleges in 5 countries where most Indians go for MBBS abroad
Data on countries and colleges from the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) 2022 - the latest available - shows that most Indians who completed medical degrees abroad and wrote the FMGE went to five countries.
Foreign medical colleges: Look before you leap
A close look at foreign medical colleges that thousands of Indians have graduated from shows that many are unaccredited, don’t have hospitals or even their own websites
'Either I clear FMGE or leave the country'
After spending lakhs on MBBS degrees abroad, thousands spend years trying to clear the FMGE. That is the only option for Indian graduates of foreign medical colleges to build a career in India
Why hundreds of nursing graduates leave India each year
There has been an increase in nursing institutes over the past two decades but policy gaps, lax regulations, poor pay and opportunities are pushing a large number of nursing staff to seek opportunities abroad
In Kashmir, why NEET and JEE candidates flock to private reading halls to prepare for exams
These are accessible round-the-clock, even on public holidays, have private cabins and booths, kitchen, discussion area and some, even places for napping
Battling despair and depression in medical school
Long hours, bullying, lack of support make a difficult programme tougher for medical students. They hope for clear guidelines from the NMC
This father-daughter duo uncovered a scam in NEET admissions in West Bengal
Several generalcategory students had secured admission in medical colleges with forged ST certificates. Ishita Soren spotted the names, and her father followed up
'Forced to take up bonded labour
There's massive resistance to a state policy in Karnataka that requires even private medical college graduates to do one year's mandatory rural service
‘A routine circus': PG medical students lobby, move court to get stipends
Despite NMC orders, many medical colleges still seriously underpay resident doctors and threaten them into silence. In government colleges, stipends can be delayed for months
Why Mizoram wants centre to take over its only medical college
Mizoram got its first state medical college in 2018. In 2023, it asked the union government to take over. Mixed up in this are questions of funding, MBBS seat distribution
