‘Purushartha Shastra’: At Chanakya University, experts seek education reforms rooted in dharma, drive and dedication

Bengaluru: Chanakya University’s Foundation Day 2025 recently evolved into a powerful convergence of ideas on India’s educational future, with influential voices from business, science and public policy urging universities to embrace a century-long vision, rebuild institutional culture, and address the widening gap between education and employability.

Virtually addressing the audience, Azim Premji, former Wipro chairman and one of the world’s leading philanthropists, called on universities to “think a hundred years ahead” and build institutions anchored in values, purpose and public good.

Premji, who transformed Wipro from a vegetable oils manufacturer into a global technology powerhouse, said culture — not infrastructure or research output — ultimately defines the strength of a university.

“Unless there is a clear commitment to a set of values, no culture can ever become strong,” he said, reminding the gathering that great universities are not created for the next decade but the next century.

Warning against hollow growth, he urged Chanakya University to focus on its core mission — educating young people — while continuously nurturing a culture rooted in integrity, purpose and service.

Premji also praised the institution’s founders for building a university “without the comfort of full government or corporate support,” calling it a rare example of selfless public purpose.

Mohandas Pai invokes vision of modern Ramarajya

Setting the tone earlier in the day, entrepreneur and educationist T.V. Mohandas Pai delivered an impassioned call for universities to become instruments of justice, equality and national awakening.

Painting a modern interpretation of Ramarajya, Pai described it as a society where the poorest citizen can demand justice fearlessly and where dharma guides public life.

“Life is a battle between dharma and adharma. Education must prepare students to fight this battle with courage and clarity,” he said.

Pai envisioned Chanakya University as a future “intellectual crucible” where India’s brightest minds and global scholars would challenge ideas, innovate fearlessly and become agents of societal change.

Echoing the legacy of ancient Nalanda, he urged the university to uphold rigour, inquiry and excellence as its guiding principles.

India’s paradox: Talent shortage amid graduate unemployment

Policy expert Dr. Shamika Ravi drew attention to one of India’s most pressing challenges — high graduate unemployment despite a national talent shortage.

Calling it a “structural crisis,” Ravi noted that young Indians with higher degrees are nearly five times more likely to be unemployed than those with only school-level education.

Yet, industries across sectors continue to suffer from a shortage of skilled manpower.

“This mismatch shows that universities have focused on degrees, not skills. Institutions like Chanakya University must bridge this gap,” she said.

Ravi also highlighted the urgent need for universities to engage in research that solves real problems — urban planning, infrastructure, pollution and workplace participation for women. Applauding the university’s initiatives for female students and faculty, she stressed that retaining women in the workforce requires sustained support, not just access.

She urged academic institutions to align closely with industry, government and local communities to meet national development goals under Viksit Bharat.

A confluence of vision and responsibility

The Foundation Day celebrations reflected a shared belief across speakers: that India’s universities must shoulder a far greater responsibility in shaping society than ever before.

• Premji emphasized values, longevity and student-centricity.
• Pai focused on ethical nation-building rooted in cultural ideals.
• Ravi highlighted the skills gap, research priorities and workforce participation.

Together, their messages underlined the need for universities to produce not just graduates, but responsible citizens, innovators and problem-solvers.

As the celebrations concluded, Chanakya University reaffirmed its mission to become a multidisciplinary hub for knowledge, ethics and societal transformation — echoing the collective call to think boldly, act ethically and prepare India’s next generation for a rapidly evolving world.