Vineet Gupta
In an era where global challenges like climate change, healthcare crises, and rapid technological advancements demand urgent attention, education plays a pivotal role in addressing these issues. However, no single institution or donor can shoulder the burden alone. However, collective philanthropy is a model that brings together multiple donors and stakeholders to pool resources, share expertise, and create innovative solutions. Vineet Gupta, Ashoka University Founder, champions this approach, emphasizing its power in building institutions that tackle the most pressing problems through education.
The Power of Collective Philanthropy
According to Gupta, "The collective philanthropy model is used for institution building. A large number of people have contributed to building universities like Ashoka and Plaksha rather than a single person. It expands the network and helps in raising more resources." This approach amplifies the impact that educational institutions can have on society by fostering collaboration across sectors. Collective philanthropy enables universities to scale their efforts in areas that would otherwise remain underfunded or underexplored.
The notion of pooling resources ensures that institutions aren't reliant on a single donor's vision or direction. Instead, a diverse group of contributors, driven by a shared goal, can help address global challenges such as climate change, digital agriculture, and water security. "People have come together with a philanthropic spirit and hence there is only one objective i.e. to build an excellent institution," Vineet Gupta notes. This spirit of collaboration allows universities like Ashoka and Plaksha to remain focused on their mission while scaling up their research and outreach efforts.
Education as the Foundation for Tackling Global Challenges
Gupta believes that education is key to solving modern challenges, particularly in engineering and technology. At Plaksha University, for instance, students work on the toughest problems around us whether in climate change, IoT, digital agriculture, health, or water security. By focusing on interdisciplinary learning and hands-on, project-based approaches, institutions like Plaksha are preparing the next generation of problem solvers.
"The problems around us have changed, and engineering disciplines need to reinvent and change with the times," states Vineet Gupta of Ashoka and Plaksha University. He continues, "The introduction of degrees in areas such as Robotics and Cyber-Physical Systems, Computer Science and AI, and Data Science demonstrates how forward-thinking universities are evolving their curricula to meet the demands of the 21st century." These interdisciplinary programmes are designed not only to equip students with the technical skills they need but also to foster creativity, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making, qualities that are essential in addressing global issues.
Bridging Gaps in Funding and Expertise
One of the critical advantages of collective philanthropy is its ability to bridge gaps in funding, infrastructure, and expertise. Large-scale global problems require comprehensive solutions, which can only be achieved through collaboration. For example, universities often rely on industry partnerships to modernize technology and co-develop solutions to real-world problems. "Industry and academia can collaborate to solve some tough problems," Gupta adds.
In addition to raising more funds, collective philanthropy helps build a network of experts who contribute to research and innovation. This, in turn, enhances the university's ability to address complex issues in healthcare, sustainability, and technology. Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder says, "At both Ashoka and Plaksha Universities, emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and virtual reality embedded in the CS degrees offered are already influencing the curriculum, positioning students to be at the forefront of innovation. The CS degrees offered are more modern and futuristic in Plaksha and Ashoka."
Making a Larger Impact on Society
Ultimately, collective philanthropy makes a larger societal impact through education by empowering institutions to expand their reach and influence. The philanthropic model adopted by universities emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and practical learning, which are crucial for tackling today's challenges.
Vineet Gupta sums it up, "No one person is the owner of the university. The collective power expands the network and helps in raising more resources. This sense of shared responsibility and collective ownership allows these institutions to create educational models that not only respond to current global challenges but also anticipate future ones."
In an increasingly interconnected world, collective philanthropy serves as a powerful tool for driving change. By pooling resources and expertise, educational institutions can significantly contribute to solving the most critical problems of our time-proving that when it comes to global challenges, we are stronger together.
