The Landmark Victory at THE Asia Awards 2025

In a prestigious ceremony held on April 22, 2025, at the Galaxy International Convention Center in Macao, Ahmedabad University emerged as the standout winner of the Leadership and Management Team of the Year award—the highest honor at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2025. This accolade came amid over 500 entries from across 16 countries and territories, with 80 finalists vying for recognition. The event underscored Asia's dynamic higher education sector, where institutions are tackling pressing societal challenges through innovation and bold strategies.

For Ahmedabad University, a private non-profit institution in Gujarat, India, this triumph marked a pivotal validation of its rapid evolution. Judges lauded the university's senior leaders for their "decisive, bold, and imaginative action," crediting them with driving transformational change that elevated the institution from a conventional college consortium to a frontrunner in India's burgeoning research and innovation ecosystem. This win not only spotlights the university's internal reforms but also signals India's growing prowess in global academic excellence.

From Humble Beginnings to Research Powerhouse

Established in 2009 by the Ahmedabad Education Society, Ahmedabad University began as an amalgamation of longstanding colleges in the vibrant city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat's commercial hub. What started as a state private university committed to undergraduate and graduate programs quickly pivoted toward a distinctive model: a research-oriented institution grounded in liberal arts principles. This foundation emphasized interdisciplinarity, research-infused thinking from day one, and a practice-oriented approach to learning.

Over the years, the university has expanded into key schools such as the School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Arts and Sciences, Amrut Mody School of Management, and Center for Heritage Management. Its centrally located, sustainable campus fosters collaboration, reflecting Gujarat's rich industrial heritage intertwined with modern academic pursuits. By daring to diverge from India's traditional rote-learning paradigms, Ahmedabad University has positioned itself as a beacon for holistic education in a nation where higher education enrollment exceeds 43 million students annually.

The Driving Force: Collective Leadership and Strategic Vision

At the heart of this success is a collective leadership model, spearheaded by Vice-Chancellor Professor Pankaj Chandra. In his reflections post-award, Chandra noted, "Ahmedabad University has dared to reimagine the classroom and the future of education with a deep sense of purpose anchored in the continuous progress of self and society. It’s a testimony to collective action and a single-minded pursuit of excellence." This philosophy permeates the management team's approach, prioritizing participatory governance that empowers faculty and students alike.

Key strategic decisions included aggressive faculty recruitment to shrink the student-to-faculty ratio dramatically, signaling a commitment to personalized mentorship. The team also overhauled infrastructure, creating inclusive spaces that promote sustainability and accessibility. These moves align with India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates multidisciplinary institutions and research autonomy, but Ahmedabad University implemented them ahead of the curve, demonstrating proactive adaptation.

Unlocking Research Excellence Through Systemic Reforms

Central to the award was the university's bold investments in research infrastructure. Recognizing that India's research output, while growing at 15% annually per global metrics, lags behind global leaders in per capita terms, Ahmedabad University poured resources into state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment. Internal funding for faculty projects surged, enabling pursuits in cutting-edge areas like AI-driven brain tumor targeting—where Professor Mehul Raval ranks in the global top 0.5% of scholars—and indoor air pollution studies addressing urban health crises in Gujarat.

A groundbreaking six-year tenure-track system, rare in India but standard at elite global universities like Stanford or Oxford, incentivizes long-term research. This step-by-step process—initial probation, rigorous peer review, and promotion based on impactful publications and grants—has attracted international talent. For instance, faculty have secured grants from bodies like the Department of Science and Technology (DST), contributing to India's rise in the Nature Index for high-quality research publications. These reforms have positioned the university as a vital node in west India's innovation corridor, fostering collaborations with local industries in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.Learn more from the university's official announcement.

Redefining Teaching with Liberal Arts and Innovation

Building on its 2023 Highly Commended status for Teaching and Learning Strategy at the same awards, Ahmedabad University integrates liberal arts into technical disciplines. The Foundation Programme serves as a common core for all undergraduates, blending humanities, sciences, and ethics to cultivate critical thinkers. Followed by the Independent Study Period—where students pursue self-directed projects—and a flexible open curriculum, this model ensures academic rigor meets real-world relevance.

In practice, engineering students might collaborate on sustainable composites with management peers, mirroring industry demands. This has earned accolades like the AACSB Innovations That Inspire Award. Amid India's push for skill-based education under NEP, such strategies prepare graduates for diverse careers, from startups in Ahmedabad's entrepreneurial ecosystem to PhDs at MIT or Oxford.

Equity, Access, and Inclusive Growth

Equity forms a pillar of the leadership's vision. Need-blind admissions prioritize merit over finances, with special consideration for disadvantaged and vernacular-medium backgrounds, boosting diversity in a country where only 27% of youth access higher education equitably. Scholarships and participatory decision-making enhance retention, creating a vibrant, inclusive community that reflects Gujarat's multicultural fabric.

Attracting Global Talent and Faculty Autonomy

To compete globally, the management team recruited over 200 world-class faculty, many with PhDs from Ivy Leagues and decades of experience. Enhanced autonomy through senate-led governance allows faculty to shape curricula, aligning with research interests. This has yielded tangible outcomes: alumni founding startups backed by Gujarat's i-Hub or securing roles at top firms like Tata Consultancy Services and McKinsey.Explore the full winners list from Times Higher Education.

Student Outcomes and Societal Impact

Graduates exemplify success: placements at leading Indian multinationals, entrepreneurial ventures addressing local challenges like water scarcity, and admissions to elite global programs. Research projects tackle pressing issues— from antimicrobial resistance to climate-resilient agriculture—contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university's 5-Star Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) rating underscores this impact.

India's Research Renaissance and Ahmedabad's Role

This award arrives as India accelerates its research agenda, with R&D spending projected to hit 2% of GDP by 2027. Institutions like IISc Bengaluru top THE Asia Rankings, but private players like Ahmedabad University demonstrate scalable models for non-elite cities. Amid 1,600+ universities, such transformations counter critiques of quality dilution, inspiring peers in Gujarat and beyond. Compared to established giants like IITs, AU's agile, liberal arts focus offers a fresh paradigm for holistic excellence.

Challenges Overcome and Lessons for Peers

The journey wasn't without hurdles: funding constraints in a private model, cultural resistance to liberal arts, and competition from legacy institutions. Yet, through phased implementation—infrastructure first, then faculty hires, curriculum reforms—the team navigated these. Lessons include prioritizing people over processes and aligning with national visions like Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

Photo by Rowan Heuvel on Unsplash

Future Horizons: Sustaining Momentum

Looking ahead, Ahmedabad University aims to deepen global partnerships, expand PhD programs, and lead AI-humanities intersections. With India's youth bulge demanding 10 million skilled jobs yearly, such institutions will drive the knowledge economy. This award is not an endpoint but a launchpad for greater contributions to Asia's academic landscape.