Ashoka Reflections brings to you all the latest news and updates about faculty, students, enriching research, and the latest happenings taking place at the university. If there is news at Ashoka, you will find it here, always! |
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Message from the Vice-Chancellor As we reflect on the anxieties, disruptions, critical decision making, and adapting to a new way of life, the world will celebrate the triumph of the human spirit in the midst of the prevailing circumstances and the medical miracle that brought us the vaccine within a year with the coming together of scientists, governments, business, and global health organisations, volunteers and many others who contributed in different ways. For us, at Ashoka, the most difficult part of it all was the uncertainty, the burden of not knowing from month to month through a lockdown and mandatory personal distancing, what were the likely timelines, what plans should the University make.
But, all credit to Ashoka faculty and students who mastered the fine art of the virtual teaching/learning process, and Ashoka staff who provided constant help.
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Soon research began to flourish again, new centres emerged, existing centres stepped up their activities, students' clubs and societies found innovative and exciting ways to engage in this virtual world, all support systems functioned with energy and sincerity, and the University was able to create a vibrancy unexpected in this globally challenged situation. I thank each of you - students, faculty, administrators and staff, our Founders and alumni, all members of the Ashoka community - for the incredible way in which you have come together and supported each other. The resilience and strength of this University is the result of this collective commitment. It will take some months before we gradually move back to life as it was before the pandemic and the precautionary measures will need to remain for quite some time. But the green grass and flowerbeds of our beautiful campus that we all miss so much will welcome us back over time in 2021. Here's wishing all of you a 2021 filled with happiness, exuberance, good health, much intellectual debate and discovery (what is a university without that?) and a fulfilling year in every way. Happy New Year! Malabika Sarkar Vice-Chancellor |
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2020@Ashoka 2020 was a year that would remain etched in our memories forever for its unforgiving tenor shadowed deeply by COVID-19. But this has also been a year when Ashoka University's resilience triumphed. We transitioned to virtual learning in no time and it was not long before the students also stepped up their social engagements in the virtual world which we are living in. The Office of Communications & PR at Ashoka presents compendium 2020@Ashoka. It captures the happenings, programmes, new initiatives, academic interventions, and the unprecedented contribution Ashoka's faculty, students, alumni, and staff made to fight the pandemic and champion higher education in India. The Office also wishes everyone a very happy and prosperous 2021! Read the flipbook version here. |
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Science Policy Initiative of Ashoka University by Anjali Taneja Science and Technology are instrumental in enhancing scientific innovation, economic performance and social well-being. India’s historical contributions in this space have been quite remarkable. Given the significant role that the academic community has been contributing in this field, it is the right time to reinforce the strategic connect of academia with the government and the industry for streamlining national thought leadership and policymaking on India’s science, technology and innovation landscape. Read more >>> |
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Ashoka's Research Quest | Is India [Re]Turning Inward?Ashoka's Research Quest | Is India [Re]Turning Inward? Assistant Professor Shoumitro Chatterjee, Pennsylvania State University and Professor Arvind Subramanian, Ashoka University break the myths surrounding India's inward turn. "Atmanirbharata or self-reliance is the new buzzword in Indian economic policy circles," says the former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, Arvind Subramanian, Professor of Economics and Director, Ashoka Centre for Economic Policy (ACEP). |
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Child Rights Fellowship The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) in collaboration with Ashoka has started the Child Rights Fellowship. This is a one-year paid fellowship for young individuals for improving and supporting the agenda of Child Rights and Welfare in Delhi NCR while driving mass impact on ground. Know more >>> |
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CSIP Launches COVID Survey Research The Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy (CSIP) has been researching the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on nonprofit organisations (NPOs) in India, including how the pandemic has impacted their operations and finances. Phase I was conducted earlier this year, with findings released in a June 2020 snapshot report and webinar. For Phase II, CSIP is conducting a follow-up survey to reach a larger number of NPOs working across the country on diverse themes. If you are an NPO leader and would like to contribute to this important research, we invite you to participate in this online survey and share it with your peers using this link. |
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CSIP Moderates Cross-Sector Philanthropy Discussion Ingrid Srinath, Director, CSIP, moderated the session on the "Changing Face of Philanthropy at the Time of COVID-19" at the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Social Enterprise Conclave on Dec. 8. Speakers included ITC Limited's Mukul Rastogi, JSW Foundation's Ashwini Saxena, ATE Chandra Foundation's Gayatri Nair Lobo, and author Mahul Brahma. |
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CWC: Research Writing and Communication Courses for CEEW Ashoka's Centre for Writing and Communication (CWC) is simultaneously teaching 2 (two) courses for employees of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). Taught by the English Language Teaching (ELT) team at the centre, the two-course are: - Research Writing Course (taught to the cohort of researchers at the CEEW)
- Written and Oral Communication (taught to members of the Operations team at the CEEW).
Each course comprises 5 (five) sessions of 2 (hours) each, and are conducted on Zoom. This is the first time that the CWC is conducting any full-fledged course at an institution outside Ashoka. |
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Transformation in Times of Crisis Transformation in Times of Crisis, published in November 2020, brings together the combined wisdom of a visionary business practitioner, Nitin Rakesh, CEO, Mphasis and an award-winning academician, Jerry Wind, Lauder Professor Emeritus, Wharton as they bridge the worlds of industry and academia to bring forth the knowledge that can help businesses thrive in the new world. This urgent and timely book defines 8 key principles that form a highly adaptive framework, giving businesses the tools to adapt and succeed in a new reality – seeking out opportunities and creating long-term value in any crisis. Through real-world examples to illustrate each of the eight principles and an implementation framework and tools, the authors hope to inspire and guide leaders, businesses and professionals. |
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Philip Kotler, regarded as the Father of Modern Marketing, unveiled the book at the digital launch attended by over 100,000 guests and said, “I am so excited about the launch of Transformation in Times of Crisis and wholeheartedly believe that every one of the eight principles, though interrelated can be a book within itself. This is the succinct secret to lasting transformation. Creating value during these uncertain times, each company can use this book to gauge where they stand on each principle and can correct where they are behind.’ The book is available to buy on Amazon.in. |
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From the Research Development Office The Research Development Office (RDO) was established to support and enable faculty and researchers to pursue their research goals through a set of proactive, capacity-building strategies to increase the university’s competitive advantage and national/international prominence. It has three major operation areas, i.e., Extramural Grant Management, Research Infrastructure Management, and Research Scholars Management. During the year 2020, the RDO has facilitated 28 grant submissions. Out of the submitted grants, 11 were successful and 16 are in line. Currently, the RDO is providing assistance for 28 extramural grants (7 International and 21 National Grants). 7 extramural grants were successfully completed during the year. Along with managing external funding, the RDO provided assistance to 4 research projects also in terms of extended financial support in addition to the sanctioned project costs and funded 2 research projects initiated by the faculty members of the University. The RDO has facilitated 51 research personnel working on various research projects. Currently, there are 19 active research staff including 5 post-doctoral research fellows. During the year 2020, the RDO assisted 9 academic departments in handling the Ph.D. programme planning and Admission. 22 Scholars were enrolled in the Ph.D. programme during this time. Currently, the RDO is facilitating 63 Ph.D. Scholars across 7 academic disciplines. RDO is very proactive in facilitating the Ashoka faculty to take up innovative research projects, individually or in collaboration. RDO has funded a new Centre for Interdisciplinary Archaeological Research at Ashoka to create an interface between archaeology and the sciences. Discussion for starting a collaborative Ph.D. programme is also going on with Microsoft Research India (MSRI). |
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CWC Publications 1. Writing Tutor Apoorva Saini's short story was published in The Bombay Literary Magazine on December 13, 2020. 2. Senior Writing Tutors Senjuti Chakraborti and Aakshi Magazine guest-edited and published, along with Souradeep Roy, a themed issue titled "Writing (in) the Post-colony: Practising Academic English in Indian Higher Education" in the journal Sanglap: Journal of Literary and Cultural Inquiry, Vol. 7, no. 1, on November 2020. 3. Writing Tutor Ashmita Chatterjee's book review of Ottessa Moshfegh's book Death In Her Hands is published in World Literature Today, on December 22, 2020. |
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Foreign partnership in Indian higher education: significance, challenges and concerns India, as a developing nation, is consistently progressing in the education field. While Indian higher education has expanded tremendously in terms of enrolment, the country has failed to produce an adequate number of world-class universities. Researchers have analysed challenges like the demand-supply gap, lack of quality research and innovation, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of quality faculty, etc. Worldwide higher education policies have been transformed by various internationalisation processes that operate in a constant flux of globalisation. Given the projected demand for massification and quality improvements needed, internationalisation of higher education has become an important national goal in India. Read the complete research paper here. |
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Study Abroad Fair The Office of Global Education & Strategic Programmes (GESP) held its annual Study Abroad Fair on November 5th hosting over 24 international universities virtually. Over 290 students registered and attended the fair held from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. Click here for more details >> |
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Ashoka Alumni Day 2021THE BEGINNING OF A YEARLY RITUAL It's Ashoka University's very first Alumni Day! It's also been a decade since Ashoka's flagship Young India Fellowship program commenced. At this monumental juncture of the university, we want to thank everyone who has been with us on this journey and look to the future with hope. |
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CWC: Winter School on Research Writing11 January - 15 January 2021 The Winter School will provide an overview of Research Writing to ASP, Master's, MLS and PhD students of Ashoka university. It will be conducted online over a 5-day period during the winter break combining workshops, individual writing sessions and group tasks. |
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How India's move to change foreign funding rules for nonprofits could backfireNonprofits have long been a part of India's development journey. More recently, during the Covid-19 lockdown, we saw this play out in real-time when nonprofits across the country helped millions of Indians cope with the humanitarian and financial crises that ensued. Despite this backdrop, the current political environment could not be more adverse for nonprofits operating in India. |
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CASI Agricultural Markets ProjectMarkets and market sites-how do we best conceptualize the agricultural marketing systems in these states? How do different market sites, including APMC mandis, function? What features of these sites are valuable for small and marginal farmers? How do farmers across the study districts bring their produce to the market? |
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Amaan Ki Asha: Empathy for students and some tech supportOnline classes are a challenge for students who can't afford laptops. So Mohammed Amaan Asim arranged 17 computers for engg students through crowd-funding Work-from-home and study-from-home might have seemed like solutions during the covid pandemic, but not entirely. |
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