We are establishing a world class, essentially cost-free, residential University near Ahmedabad, India for the economically disadvantaged students. We embark upon our journey of the transformation with Science and Technology being our core subjects and Human Values as the foundation of living, setting the standards for others to follow.
We begin with a different purpose
Most educational institutions aim to charge a fee and provide an education degree. Our institution aims to mould a better citizen, and the degree is only a by-product of our process.
All-encompassing Approach
Most institutions teach one or two subjects and let go of the student upon awarding a degree. Our approach will be the total development of the student not only academically but also in terms of character and personality. This will include mental and emotional adjustments where needed, skills in human interaction, public speaking, business practices, global vision and adjustment in interior as well as external personalities, for example, attitudes, emotions, and patterns of thinking.
No Cost—Full Value
When a fee is charged, all outcomes are measured in terms of money. Teachers limit their contributions of knowledge. Students equate fees paid with the salaries they will receive upon graduation. Institutions themselves look at cost/price ratios for the services they provide.
Indian ethos provides for a free education. We hope to establish this institution with the intention of service towards the nation, state, community and people at large. We intend to bind our students with love and total care for their lifetime. Most of them will come back to the institution in a later part of their lives. Nobody wants to forget the one who provided the lifeline. Our teachers, sponsors and corporate donors will have more motivation to provide the help we need when they know of our selfless service project. We intend to build a lifelong relationship with all students where they can come back home to further their education and also to share and give back. We intend to establish professional relationships with the Corporate so as to ensure the utility of the graduated students to suit their professional needs too.
Full Time vs. Part Time
Most educational institutions teach four to six hours a day and let student wander around on their own for the remaining eighteen hours. Our institution will demand twenty-four-hour commitment from the student. On-campus residency will be emphasised as a tool for total development. In other words, ours will be in the Gurukul style but with a contemporary approach. This allows us to use students’ nonclass time for the total development.
Individual as a Unit
Most educational institutions teach using factory-style mass production. On huge campuses the likes of ucla, teaching is done with television monitors and with three hundred students jammed in a room.
Our institution will have small classes; we will think of individual students as being in a class by themselves. The personal relationship between the student and teacher will be an important ingredient to nurture all potentialities of the individual. The student will be encouraged to engage in life planning from early on.
Livelihood vs. Mission
Today most teachers in most institutions are working for their livelihood and therefore they have little motivation to impart true knowledge and share wisdom. Our institution will select teachers who are beyond the concerns of livelihood and whose desire to teach is based on a passion and a sense of mission. We intend to give them tools, a sense of purpose and freedom to express themselves.
Practice vs. Theory
Most institutions provide academic instruction but little in the way of practical instruction. The classroom-only approach has limited utility in real the world. Our institution will actively seek out industry–education partnerships. We will invite businesses to sponsor the students for from one year to a full four years of engagement. Part of the year student will need to work for the sponsoring business to complete their practical education. Integrated into this program will be interactive personality development workshops in areas like stress and anger management, rejections and tolerance and positive approaches to work and life.
Human Approach
In the rush to modernize education, we have forgotten human values. The ultimate success of human life depends upon the practice of human values. Our approach is to integrate human values, which are universal.