Bengaluru, November 15, 2025. Chanakya University, a rising institution dedicated to redefining higher education in India, today celebrated its Foundation Day, commemorating the noble spirit of Vidyā-Dāna (the act of giving knowledge). The celebrations marked a significant milestone, reflecting the University’s deep-rooted commitment to holistic education that integrates ancient wisdom with contemporary relevance, driven by interdisciplinary learning, innovation, and global engagement.
The event gathered a distinguished assembly of scholars, industry leaders, policymakers, and students to reaffirm the University’s mission: nurturing ethical leaders and knowledge-driven change-makers prepared to tackle global challenges.
Campus Expansion and Generous Contributions
The Foundation Day was also a landmark occasion for significant infrastructure inaugurations, underscoring the strong philanthropic support the University has garnered:
- Bharati Auditorium and Airtel Cafeteria, inaugurated by Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal.
- Jamuna Devi Jindal Faculty Housing Block.
- Labs supported by Axis Bank’s CSR initiative.
- Suman Nirmal Minda Foundation Guest House.
Further solidifying its commitment to comprehensive education, the foundation stone for a new CBSE school was laid by Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji Foundation.
A profound symbol of gratitude was unveiled: the Donor Wall, a ‘Tree of Gratitude’ honouring the generous contributors whose support has been instrumental in the institution’s rapid growth. Each leaf on the wall carries the name of a patron, representing their enduring belief in the University’s mission and serving as a timeless tribute to inspire future generations of philanthropists.
Remarkable Growth and Academic Milestones
In just its fourth year, Chanakya University has achieved several remarkable milestones, cementing its trajectory toward becoming a premier academic hub.
- The total student body has reached 2,400, welcoming over 1,000 new students this academic year alone.
- The institution has expanded from an initial three schools to six schools.
- The number of Centres of Excellence has grown to seven.
The celebrations commenced with a ceremonial invocation, followed by an address from the University Leadership, which highlighted the institution’s rapid growth and strategic alignment with national educational priorities. The leadership emphasized the core ethos of integrating ancient Indian wisdom with modern scholarship—an approach inspired by the university’s namesake, the great thinker and strategist Chanakya.
Prof. Yashavantha Dongre, Vice-Chancellor, Chanakya University, underscored the speed and scale of the University’s success: “In just three years, Chanakya University has grown from 100 students and three schools to 2,400 students and six schools. We started with one Center of Excellence and today we have seven. Our focus is not just on numbers, but on the distinct features a higher education ecosystem needs: culture building, skill development, interdisciplinary learning, and research.” He also extended gratitude to key supporters, including Ajit Premji, Anurag Behar, Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Dr. Shamika Ravi, and Dr. S. Somanath, among others.
Dr. S. Somanath, Chancellor – Chanakya University and Former Chairman, ISRO, highlighted the University’s pivotal role in transformation. He outlined key action points for the future:
- Strengthening community engagement and societal-relevant research.
- Expanding global collaborations and exchange programs.
- Nurturing an inclusive, diverse, and vibrant campus culture.
- Establishing signature structures of excellence in technology, public policy, sustainability, and civilization studies.
Dr. Somanath emphasized a strong focus on AI and data-driven thinking, sustainability, climate solutions, and innovation to create “job creators” and a future-ready education. He shared the five-year vision: “to position Chanakya University as a leading research-intensive institution in India.”
Visionary Addresses from Patrons and Leaders
The event featured powerful addresses from distinguished personalities, sharing their vision for the University’s future:
Sri Azim Premji, Founder Chairman, Wipro Ltd., speaking via video link, congratulated the Chanakya team for what they have built in such a short period. He shared three critical lessons for institutional longevity:
- Culture is paramount: An institution must have a clear commitment to a certain set of values.
- Think for centuries: Universities are built for decades and centuries; continuous improvement and growth are essential.
- The central function is educating the young: A university must never lose sight of this core purpose.
Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Ltd., praised the establishment of the School of Biosciences and its focus on computational biology and AI. She highlighted India’s unique advantage in generating population-level biomarkers due to its demographic diversity and digital health scale. She stressed that AI has transformed biology from a descriptive science into a design discipline, urging students: “Dream audaciously, experiment fearlessly and innovate with purpose. Biotechnology is not merely an industry, it’s the solution space for humanity’s greatest challenges.”
Sri Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner, Accel India, offered strategic focus areas:
- Expanding the Entrepreneurs Cell into a leading incubation lab for social entrepreneurship.
- Establishing a Center for Sustainability for deep-tech research on urban challenges.
- Leveraging AI while ensuring it does not disrupt critical thinking.
- Preparing students to be “AI-native” for the future job market.
Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Co-Chairman, Bharti Airtel Foundation and Vice-Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, commended the University for rooting students in India’s civilizational wisdom while preparing them as future global leaders. “Chanakya University exemplifies this vision… Our commitment to higher education spans both access and excellence.”
Sri T V Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital, shared a compelling vision of a modern “Ramarajya”—an ideal society where justice and dharma prevail. He fully supported the University’s ambition to become a premier hub where India’s brightest minds and students from across the globe interact, debate, and evolve into social change agents.
Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member, PM’s Economic Advisory Council, emphasized the urgent need for Indian institutions to bridge the growing disconnect between graduate unemployment and industry demand. She urged Chanakya University to take the lead in shifting from degree-oriented education to practical skill development that supports economic growth and entrepreneurship. She also welcomed efforts to support female students and faculty and encouraged the university to engage actively with local communities and urban challenges like infrastructure and pollution.
In closing, the Foundation Day served not only as a celebration of past achievements but as a powerful declaration of Chanakya University’s commitment to creating a transformative, future-ready, and values-driven educational ecosystem that is globally relevant and deeply rooted in Indian civilizational wisdom.
