The educational realm in India is at an interesting juncture, especially after the National Education Policy 2020 launch. Given the dynamic transformations the business world is undergoing, bringing academia closer to the business world by igniting a cultural transformation is more vital than ever before and the education administration has a huge role to play. Atul Khosla, Vice-Chancellor & Founder, Shoolini University, joins us for an exclusive interview to share his insights about modern education paradigms, challenges and solutions. With nearly three decades of professional experience in the corporate realm, Atul drives novel initiatives at Shoolini, initiating partnerships with enterprises as well as top global universities worldwide. Over the years, he pioneered many innovative academic programs, transforming traditional systems to new methodologies and pedagogies, initiating a skills-based curriculum and building one of India’s most dynamic and cutting-edge education technology platforms.

In conversation with Atul Khosla, Vice-Chancellor & Founder, Shoolini University

India is aspiring to become a $10 trillion economy in the near future. How do you look at the demand and supply gap in terms of entrepreneurs and startups toward achieving this?

Historically, the Indian higher education system was designed to cultivate managers, test administrators, and, at its best, technicians. In contrast, today's economic landscape demands a paradigm shift toward innovation and disruption to fulfill the Prime Minister's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). This vision is the cornerstone of initiatives like Startup India, which aim to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit.

Despite these efforts, the Indian startup ecosystem requires significant enhancement to match the scale of investment seen in the United States' Silicon Valley. In truth, academic powerhouses such as UC Berkeley and Stanford University have been pivotal to Silicon Valley's success by fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among students from the onset of their academic careers.

To replicate Silicon Valley's triumph, India must nurture deep tech startups, which necessitates enduring dedication and a distinct mindset

 

Indian universities are integral to instigating a similar cultural transformation. They must not only promote entrepreneurial endeavors but also provide a nurturing environment for idea incubation. This foundational support at the university level is essential for empowering students with the confidence and acumen to thrive in the startup domain, despite potential setbacks.

 

India's ambition to become a $10 trillion economy is contingent upon the emergence of numerous unicorns and startups. An examination of India's recent unicorns reveals that many originate from elite institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and BITS Pilani. This immediately makes us notice the lack of comparable achievements from other renowned institutions, such as IIT Kanpur and IIT Chennai, highlighting the role of institutional culture and entrepreneurial exemplars like Binny Bansal of Flipkart.

While the Indian startup scene is growing, there remains a notable deficiency in the creation of deep tech or research-intensive firms. To replicate Silicon Valley's triumph, India must nurture deep tech startups, which necessitates enduring dedication and a distinct mindset. Recognizing this, universities increasingly invest in such enterprises, bolstered by various governmental schemes.

What about Shoolini University? How do you lead by example?

Our institution Has pioneered the 'One Student, One Patent' initiative. We actively encourage every student to file at least one patent and instill a culture of entrepreneurship and startups. This endeavor is supported by funding from both the BSD and private entities, as well as the university itself. The results of nurturing this ecosystem are evident, with over 100 patents filed and granted. Institutions like ours are pivotal in driving the kind of innovation, disruption, and entrepreneurial ventures that are integral to India's progress. Research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and startups are not isolated phenomena but interconnected elements of India's transformative journey.

Where is modern-day education really at? How do you look at the personalization part of education?

Students are always the heart of our future, and it is essential to provide them with an education driven by outcomes. It shouldn’t be just confined to job placements but aligned with their aspirations. Whether a student desires to become an entrepreneur, a technical scientist, or pursue a PhD at Stanford, Shoolini’s  educational approach is designed to facilitate their ambitions.

We are all at different levels of learning things. Personalized learning systems are crucial, as they cater to the individual stages of a student's learning journey. We conduct all our examinations online, which allows us to collect data and create tailored educational paths, enabling students to progress at their own pace.

On the other hand, the National Education Policy (NEP) offers a robust framework for flexible education, allowing for seamless entry and exit points for students and fostering a holistic educational experience. In addition, our educational approach includes not only academic success but also the cultivation of values, happiness, and spirituality. Our institution embodies this through initiatives like the School of Happiness, School of Yoga, and School of Spirituality, which enrich students' lives beyond their major disciplines. 

Staying abreast of the latest curriculum developments and collaborating with industry experts ensures that our students are learning from practitioners, not just theorists. Encouraging students to engage in activities like filing patents, participating in literature festivals, writing books, or organizing TEDx events is fundamental to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.

Lastly, providing global exposure is paramount. With over 200 international partnerships, we engender global citizens. Our commitment to accessibility, exemplified by our 24/7 libraries and learning resources, underscores our dedication to student development.

Tell us about your corporate-like SPRINT program. How does it take students further to the corporate setting?

SPRINT stands for Skills Progression through Rapid and Innovative Training. This initiative involves taking students out of the traditional classroom setting for one week each semester to participate in corporate-style training. The curriculum focuses on a range of competencies, including soft skills, comprehensive education, and problem-solving, all aimed at fostering success.

Additionally, we pride ourselves on hosting one of the world's most extensive coaching programs, accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). With a network of over 100 coaches globally, we offer personalized one-on-one coaching to our students. This guidance helps them to be lucid about their life goals and provides continual motivation towards achieving them.

Mentorship is another cornerstone of our educational philosophy. We encourage our faculty and myself to serve as mentors, offering an open-door policy to facilitate this vital aspect of student development.

How would you define your leadership approach?

In our approach to leadership and education, we prioritize a non-hierarchical, inclusive environment. I personally adopt an informal attire and demeanor, encouraging students and faculty to view me as a peer rather than an authority figure. This philosophy extends to our faculty, fostering an approachable and collaborative atmosphere.

We champion the idea that valuable contributions can come from any level within our institution. We encourage open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas, symbolized by our transparent, glass-walled spaces that reflect our commitment to openness and accessibility.

Leading by example is a core tenet of our ethos. Our institution is dedicated to creating a culture of openness, empathy, and integrity, where every individual is empowered to contribute and where the happiness and success of our community are our ultimate measures of achievement. We are committed to being role models, not just within our walls but also in the wider society, inspiring others to follow our lead in creating a more open and inclusive world.

What would be your advice to growing institutions and budding educationists?

The challenge within the higher education sector is not the dearth of new ideas but rather the internal competition that stifles innovation. To remain relevant, we must embrace new ideas and technologies.

Collaboration is another area where we fall short. I advocate for a collective effort among educational leaders to harness the power of networking effects within our community. Moreover, we must elevate our ambitions. In the next five years, the global landscape will be our arena, and if we fail to deliver quality, we risk obsolescence. We must embrace disruption and aim to lead, just as we have seen in the technology sector.

Lastly, the cornerstone of a great university is its commitment to research. We must passionately invest in creating and disseminating knowledge, transforming from mere consumers to creators of knowledge. Be open to collaborating with any institution that shares your vision.

Favorite Book:  Good to Great by Jim C. Collins

Favorite Cuisine: Indian 

Favorite Movie: Main Hoon Na

Favorite Travel Destination: Scotland