(from left) Dr Ranjan Banerjee, CEO, Nayanta Education Foundation; Naushad Forbes, Co-Chairperson, Forbes Marshall; Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder, Infosys; Meher Pudumjee, Chairperson, Thermax; D Parthasarthy, Head - Academics, Nayanta Education Foundation

Some of India’s top industrialists have joined hands to build a word-class university in Pune. The university, which wants to create leaders and a new model of development for India, will have no management and engineering courses but only social science streams. Nayanta University, a university under the Maharashtra State Private University Act, will commence classes in August 2025. The university is supported by prominent industrialists such as Kris Gopalakrishnan, Nadir Godrej, Naushad Forbes, Meher Pudumjee and Satish Reddy.

Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder of Infosys, shared his vision, stating, “The reason I’ve joined my friends from the industry is rooted in our long-standing aspiration to establish a world-class university in India. While we often looked to the government to make this happen, we realised that it’s time for us to take the initiative. Having collaborated on various industry causes, we now feel it’s the right moment to give back by thoughtfully creating a university with a clear vision.”

He added that the university’s goal is to nurture leaders for India across every sector and discipline — not just in liberal arts or sciences, but in diverse fields. “We aim to cultivate well-rounded, grounded leaders with broad interests and exposure. The complex challenges of today’s world require interdisciplinary thinking, and we hope the academic environment we create will encourage students to explore and innovate.”

MoU with CII

Naushad Forbes of Forbes Marshall shared the inspiration behind the university, saying, “The idea emerged from conversations among many of us within the CII. We realised that instead of pursuing fragmented efforts in education individually, we could come together to create something larger, more impactful and truly special. This collaborative spirit is one of the core strengths that sets the Nayanta project apart”.

He adds that the core group has been meeting regularly for the past six years, and through these discussions, a well-aligned vision has taken shape. “In fact, the conversations that sparked this idea began 10-12 years ago. Initially conceptualised as a CII university project, it gradually evolved into the decision to establish an independent entity. While many deeply committed CII members continue to support us, and we have a formal MoU with CII, this project now stands as a unique initiative,” says Forbes.

Founders are starting with a strong focus on India, but their ambitions are global. The university aims to attract international students and faculty, creating a truly-diverse academic environment. “Our students will engage with grand challenges, such as healthcare, where models from the US and UK may not be directly applicable to the Indian context. Through this university, we hope to foster solutions that are both innovative and locally relevant,” explains Forbes.

Ranjan Banerjee, CEO of the Nayanta Education Foundation, and a professor at the upcoming university, shared his insights, stating, “What drew me to this project is the remarkable group of value-driven founders who are deeply committed to building something meaningful for India. The vision of creating a world-class university with a strong social purpose resonates with me profoundly.”

The goal is to cultivate a student cohort that reflects the rich geographic and economic diversity of India. While each founder contributes to this initiative, there’s a unique principle at play — no single founder is allowed to contribute more than others, ensuring a balanced and equitable approach. This ethos is further reinforced through a distributed governance structure, deliberately designed to promote collective leadership, explains Banerjee.

Experiential learning

The university is envisioned as a full-service institution, initially focusing on core academic disciplines rather than applied subjects. In the early years, there will be no management or engineering programmes. Instead, the university will offer a comprehensive range of social sciences, including philosophy, political science, literature, sociology, psychology, economics and computer science. The core science programmes for undergraduates will be introduced within the next two-three years.

Students will begin with a strong foundation, exploring core disciplines over the first one-and-a-half years before selecting their majors. The curriculum emphasises experiential learning, with internships across social, government and corporate sectors. After identifying their academic and professional interests, students will engage in a five-month intensive internship.

“Our aim is to equip students with critical thinking tools and diverse perspectives. Understanding that real-world challenges, such as economic and sociological issues, are complex, we’re committed to preparing students with the analytical lenses needed to address and solve these problems effectively,” says Banerjee.

Located on a picturesque six-acre campus in Bavdhan, Pune, Nayanta offers a fully-residential undergraduate programme that promises a transformative educational experience. Admissions for the inaugural programme will open in February 2025 and the first batch will begin classes in August 2025.

Published on February 3, 2025