Ashoka Higher-Ed Conclave 2025: A Day of Insights & Inspiration

The Ashoka Higher-Ed Conclave 2025, held on March 28, was a resounding success, bringing together leading scholars, policymakers, and accomplished alumni to inspire students and young professionals. The event offered valuable insights into global scholarships, career pathways, and the transformative power of higher education.

Key Takeaways from the Sessions
The day commenced with a thought-provoking keynote by Pramath Raj Sinha, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University, who emphasised higher education as a launchpad for meaningful careers. His session encouraged students to think beyond conventional pathways and consider the broader impact of their education.

This was followed by an engaging panel discussion on ‘Global Scholarships that Open Doors’, featuring Professor Somak Raychaudhury, Vice Chancellor of Ashoka University, and Dr Virander Singh Chauhan, an Arturo Falaschi Emeritus Scientist and a former selection panellist for prestigious scholarships like Rhodes, Felix, and Inlaks. The discussion highlighted how these scholarships offer unparalleled academic and professional opportunities. A key takeaway – often overlooked by students – was the importance of demonstrating how their education abroad and the scholarship will equip them to contribute meaningfully to their home country.

A highlight of the morning was the Rhodes Scholarship panel, where past scholars Aparna Chaudhuri, Vighnesh Hampapura, and Bela Desai shared their journeys and application strategies. They provided practical tips for aspiring Rhodes candidates, emphasising leadership, academic excellence, and social impact.

The ‘From Ashoka to the World’ panel featured Fulbright Scholars Karan Bhola and Tanita Abraham (Harvard Graduate School of Education), Chevening Scholar Nehal Agarwalla (SOAS), and Chevening Scholar Utkarsh Amitabh (University of Oxford). They shared their experiences studying abroad, offering insights on navigating international academic systems, securing funding, and leveraging global networks.

Career Pathways and Professional Growth
After a networking lunch, the afternoon sessions focused on career trajectories, featuring alumni making significant contributions in their respective fields.

For those interested in public policy and social impact, the panel included Jonathan Frank Mendonca (Harvard Graduate School of Education), Anushka Siddiqui (Harvard Kennedy School), and Ititka Gupta (Harvard Kennedy School). They discussed their experiences in shaping policy reforms, governance, and social justice initiatives, underscoring the interdisciplinary nature of policymaking and the need for ethical leadership.

The Business School panel featured Sarah Afraz (MBA, Yale School of Management), Prateek Rastogi (MBA, Harvard Business School), Anirban Kundu (MBA, Indian School of Business), and Utkarsh Amitabh (MBA, INSEAD). They explored the role of an MBA in career acceleration, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership.

The conclave concluded with an inspiring session on Academia and Research, led by our distinguished alumni pursuing their Ph.D.s. They shared insights on the realities of pursuing a PhD, offering tips on finding the right mentor, selecting a research topic, and building a career in academic research.