Ashoka University - Revision history

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Notable faculty

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:10, 19 August 2021
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	==History==		==History==
	The idea was generated while in talks with IIT Delhi students. They later approached former [[Indian School of Business]] dean [[Pramath Raj Sinha\|Pramath Sinha]] for help in setting up a university that would be of a different calibre than that of present higher education in India. The project was code-named Project Nobel,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/education-2/ashoka-university-takes-its-project-nobel-ahead-with-donation-for-centre-of-biosciences/1835652/\|title=Ashoka University takes its Project Nobel ahead with donation for Centre of Biosciences\|date=2020-01-27\|website=The Financial Express\|language=en-US\|access-date=2020-02-26}}</ref> referring to the founders' aspiration to produce future [[Nobel Prize]] laureates. At the same time, [[Sanjeev Bikhchandani]] and [[Ashish Dhawan]] also approached Pramath with a vision of a university, and Pramath combined the two visions.<ref>{{cite web \| title = Ashoka, ~~India’s~~ first liberal arts university, to open in August \|publisher=The Hindu Business Line \| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/education/ashoka-indias-first-liberal-arts-university-to-open-in-august/article5953658.ece \| access-date = 2014-04-07 }}</ref>		The idea was generated while in talks with IIT Delhi students. They later approached former [[Indian School of Business]] dean [[Pramath Raj Sinha\|Pramath Sinha]] for help in setting up a university that would be of a different calibre than that of present higher education in India. The project was code-named Project Nobel,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/education-2/ashoka-university-takes-its-project-nobel-ahead-with-donation-for-centre-of-biosciences/1835652/\|title=Ashoka University takes its Project Nobel ahead with donation for Centre of Biosciences\|date=2020-01-27\|website=The Financial Express\|language=en-US\|access-date=2020-02-26}}</ref> referring to the founders' aspiration to produce future [[Nobel Prize]] laureates. At the same time, [[Sanjeev Bikhchandani]] and [[Ashish Dhawan]] also approached Pramath with a vision of a university, and Pramath combined the two visions.<ref>{{cite web \| title = Ashoka, India's first liberal arts university, to open in August \|publisher=The Hindu Business Line \| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/education/ashoka-indias-first-liberal-arts-university-to-open-in-august/article5953658.ece \| access-date = 2014-04-07 }}</ref>

	Initial discussions leaned towards setting up an institute of engineering and technology that could perhaps match the reputation of leading institutions in the field such as [[MIT]], the [[University of Pennsylvania]] and [[Stanford University]]. Ashoka's founders consequently signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] with the [[University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science]]. The founders' list named 22 people, including [[Ashok Trivedi]], [[Dilip Shanghvi]], [[Nirmal Jain]], [[Sanjeev Bikhchandani]] and [[Jerry Rao]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/dilip-shanghvi-nirmal-jain-others-line-up-to-back-ashoka-university/articleshow/33756357.cms\|title=Dilip Shanghvi, Nirmal Jain, others line up to back Ashoka University\|first=Devina\|last=Sengupta\|date=15 April 2014\|access-date=27 April 2018\|via=Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/stories/ashoka-university-celebrates-founders-day-159\|title=Ashoka University celebrates ~~Founders’~~ Day\|last=University\|first=Ashoka\|website=Ashoka University\|language=en\|access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref>		Initial discussions leaned towards setting up an institute of engineering and technology that could perhaps match the reputation of leading institutions in the field such as [[MIT]], the [[University of Pennsylvania]] and [[Stanford University]]. Ashoka's founders consequently signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] with the [[University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science]]. The founders' list named 22 people, including [[Ashok Trivedi]], [[Dilip Shanghvi]], [[Nirmal Jain]], [[Sanjeev Bikhchandani]] and [[Jerry Rao]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/dilip-shanghvi-nirmal-jain-others-line-up-to-back-ashoka-university/articleshow/33756357.cms\|title=Dilip Shanghvi, Nirmal Jain, others line up to back Ashoka University\|first=Devina\|last=Sengupta\|date=15 April 2014\|access-date=27 April 2018\|via=Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/stories/ashoka-university-celebrates-founders-day-159\|title=Ashoka University celebrates Founders' Day\|last=University\|first=Ashoka\|website=Ashoka University\|language=en\|access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref>

	Ashoka's concept, however, shifted from an engineering and technology focus to a [[liberal arts]] approach, providing instruction in the core sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.<ref>{{cite web \| title = Ashoka University\|publisher=Ashoka University \| url = http://ashoka.edu.in/About-Us/Vision \| access-date = 2014-08-07 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms\|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League, promises ~~‘world~~-~~class’~~ liberal arts education\|date=11 May 2014\|website=Economic Times}}</ref> The decision was inspired by both industry demand and a desire to change the mindsets of Indian students and parents to see education as an end in itself, rather than merely a stepping stone to securing a job.<ref>{{cite web \| title = 47% of Graduates of 2013 Unemployable for Any Job: Study\|publisher=The New Indian Express \| url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/news/47-of-Graduates-of-2013-Unemployable-for-Any-Job-Study/2013/12/26/article1966550.ece \| access-date = 2013-12-26 }}</ref> Ashok Trivedi fortified this decision by setting up the Ashok Trivedi Centre for Political Data (TCPD) in partnership with the [[University of Michigan]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-michigan-university-partner-to-set-up-ashok-trivedi-centre-for-political-data/articleshow/51299277.cms\|title=Ashoka University, Michigan University partner to set up Ashok Trivedi Centre for Political Data\|last=Khosla\|first=Varuni\|date=2016-03-08\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref> TCPD helps build datasets and authoritative knowledge on India's political life and diffuses the same through an open-access platform.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://tcpd.ashoka.edu.in/governing-body-2/\|title=Ashoka University's TCPD Governing Body\|website=Ashoka University\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628100617/https://tcpd.ashoka.edu.in/governing-body-2/\|archive-date=28 June 2018\|access-date=2018-06-28\|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2020, Ashoka university announced the establishment of the Trivedi School of Biosciences. Virologist [[Shahid Jameel]] is the first director of the centre.<ref>https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/biology-tsbs-374</ref>		Ashoka's concept, however, shifted from an engineering and technology focus to a [[liberal arts]] approach, providing instruction in the core sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.<ref>{{cite web \| title = Ashoka University\|publisher=Ashoka University \| url = http://ashoka.edu.in/About-Us/Vision \| access-date = 2014-08-07 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms\|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League, promises 'world-class' liberal arts education\|date=11 May 2014\|website=Economic Times}}</ref> The decision was inspired by both industry demand and a desire to change the mindsets of Indian students and parents to see education as an end in itself, rather than merely a stepping stone to securing a job.<ref>{{cite web \| title = 47% of Graduates of 2013 Unemployable for Any Job: Study\|publisher=The New Indian Express \| url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/news/47-of-Graduates-of-2013-Unemployable-for-Any-Job-Study/2013/12/26/article1966550.ece \| access-date = 2013-12-26 }}</ref> Ashok Trivedi fortified this decision by setting up the Ashok Trivedi Centre for Political Data (TCPD) in partnership with the [[University of Michigan]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-michigan-university-partner-to-set-up-ashok-trivedi-centre-for-political-data/articleshow/51299277.cms\|title=Ashoka University, Michigan University partner to set up Ashok Trivedi Centre for Political Data\|last=Khosla\|first=Varuni\|date=2016-03-08\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref> TCPD helps build datasets and authoritative knowledge on India's political life and diffuses the same through an open-access platform.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://tcpd.ashoka.edu.in/governing-body-2/\|title=Ashoka University's TCPD Governing Body\|website=Ashoka University\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628100617/https://tcpd.ashoka.edu.in/governing-body-2/\|archive-date=28 June 2018\|access-date=2018-06-28\|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2020, Ashoka university announced the establishment of the Trivedi School of Biosciences. Virologist [[Shahid Jameel]] is the first director of the centre.<ref>https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/biology-tsbs-374</ref>

	==Campus==		==Campus==
	Ashoka University's {{Convert\|25\|acre\|\|abbr=\|adj=on}} main campus is in the Rajiv Gandhi Education City in Sonepat, Haryana. It was designed by the American design firm [[Perkins Eastman]]<ref>{{Cite news\|last=Goyal\|first=Malini\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms\|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League, promises ~~‘world~~-~~class’~~ liberal arts education\|date=2014-05-11\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=2020-02-26}}</ref> led by architect [[Aaron Schwarz]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.perkinseastman.com/project_3409933_ashoka_university\|title=Ashoka University\|access-date=27 December 2018\|website=Perkins Eastman}}</ref>		Ashoka University's {{Convert\|25\|acre\|\|abbr=\|adj=on}} main campus is in the Rajiv Gandhi Education City in Sonepat, Haryana. It was designed by the American design firm [[Perkins Eastman]]<ref>{{Cite news\|last=Goyal\|first=Malini\|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms\|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League, promises 'world-class' liberal arts education\|date=2014-05-11\|work=The Economic Times\|access-date=2020-02-26}}</ref> led by architect [[Aaron Schwarz]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.perkinseastman.com/project_3409933_ashoka_university\|title=Ashoka University\|access-date=27 December 2018\|website=Perkins Eastman}}</ref>

	==Organisation and administration ==		==Organisation and administration ==
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	==Academics==		==Academics==
	===Undergraduate programme===		===Undergraduate programme===
	Ashoka University offers a full-time residential multidisciplinary 3 (+ 1) year undergraduate programme. Students are encouraged to extend one more year after the standard three and do further in-depth research in their chosen major under the guidance of a faculty member, completing the standard 4-year university education, which many universities abroad require to admit students to their doctoral research programmes. The university's first class, inducted in 2014, graduated in May 2017. It had about 120 students.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Ashoka University, Sonepat Courses & Fees 2020\|url=https://www.shiksha.com/university/ashoka-university-sonepat-53541/courses\|access-date=2020-09-04\|website=www.shiksha.com}}</ref>{{citation needed\|date=March 2020}}		Ashoka University offers a full-time residential multidisciplinary 3 (+ 1) year undergraduate programme. Students are encouraged to extend one more year after the standard three and do further in-depth research in their chosen major under the guidance of a faculty member, completing the standard 4-year university education, which many universities abroad require to admit students to their doctoral research programmes. This additional year is known as the Ashoka Scholars Programme (ASP). The university's first class, inducted in 2014, graduated in May 2017. It had about 120 students.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Ashoka University, Sonepat Courses & Fees 2020\|url=https://www.shiksha.com/university/ashoka-university-sonepat-53541/courses\|access-date=2020-09-04\|website=www.shiksha.com}}</ref>{{citation needed\|date=March 2020}}

	The admission procedure includes an application form, an on-spot essay, an interview, and an optional aptitude objective test. During the admission of students into Ashoka's UG programme, students are not required to declare their major and may experiment with their course preferences. Only after the third semester does the school require students to declare a major.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=The Call Of The Mind {{!}} Media {{!}} FLAME University\|url=https://www.flame.edu.in/in-the-media/the-call-of-the-mind\|access-date=2020-09-04\|website=www.flame.edu.in}}</ref>{{citation needed\|date=March 2020}}		The admission procedure includes an application form, an on-spot essay, an interview, and an optional aptitude objective test. During the admission of students into Ashoka's UG programme, students are not required to declare their major and may experiment with their course preferences. Only after the third semester does the school require students to declare a major.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=The Call Of The Mind {{!}} Media {{!}} FLAME University\|url=https://www.flame.edu.in/in-the-media/the-call-of-the-mind\|access-date=2020-09-04\|website=www.flame.edu.in}}</ref>{{citation needed\|date=March 2020}}
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	===Recognition and rankings===		===Recognition and rankings===
	Ashoka University has been hailed as aspiring to be the "Ivy League of India" by ''[[Financial Times]]'',<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Kazmin \|first1=Amy \|title=Ashoka University: Ivy League, Indian-style \|url=https://www.ft.com/content/b8fabc8c-1559-11e8-9c33-02f893d608c2 \|website=Financial Times (FT) \|publisher=Financial Times \|access-date=March 8, 2018}}</ref>''[[The Economic Times\|The Economics Times]]''<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Goyal \|first1=Malini \|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League \|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms \|website=Economic Times \|publisher=Economic Times \|access-date=May 11, 2014}}</ref> and ''[[Open (Indian magazine)\|Open Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Sra \|first1=Gunjeet \|title=~~India’s~~ New Ivy League \|url=https://openthemagazine.com/features/india/indias-new-ivy-league/ \|website=Open The Magazine \|publisher=Open The Magazine \|access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> The institution was ranked the second-best private university in India in ''EducationWorld 2019-20 Rankings''.<ref>{{cite web \|title=~~India’s~~ top 100 private universities \|url=https://www.educationworld.in/indias-top-100-private-universities-5/ \|website=Education World \|publisher=Education World \|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>		Ashoka University has been hailed as aspiring to be the "Ivy League of India" by ''[[Financial Times]]'',<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Kazmin \|first1=Amy \|title=Ashoka University: Ivy League, Indian-style \|url=https://www.ft.com/content/b8fabc8c-1559-11e8-9c33-02f893d608c2 \|website=Financial Times (FT) \|publisher=Financial Times \|access-date=March 8, 2018}}</ref>''[[The Economic Times\|The Economics Times]]''<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Goyal \|first1=Malini \|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League \|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms \|website=Economic Times \|publisher=Economic Times \|access-date=May 11, 2014}}</ref> and ''[[Open (Indian magazine)\|Open Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Sra \|first1=Gunjeet \|title=India's New Ivy League \|url=https://openthemagazine.com/features/india/indias-new-ivy-league/ \|website=Open The Magazine \|publisher=Open The Magazine \|access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> The institution was ranked the second-best private university in India in ''EducationWorld 2019-20 Rankings''.<ref>{{cite web \|title=India's top 100 private universities \|url=https://www.educationworld.in/indias-top-100-private-universities-5/ \|website=Education World \|publisher=Education World \|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

	==Controversies==		==Controversies==
	In October 2016, a faculty member, Rajendran Narayanan, and two other employees resigned; it was alleged by the Faculty Council that they were asked to resign because they signed a petition on Kashmir, something the university denies.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Chopra \|first1=Ritika \|title=Firing of professor will hurt Ashoka, says university faculty body as three staff exit over Kashmir petition \|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/firing-of-professor-will-hurt-ashoka-says-university-faculty-body-as-three-staff-exit-over-kashmir-petition-4548903/ \|access-date=25 March 2021 \|publisher=Indian Express \|date=1 March 2017}}</ref> Narayanan believes he was targeted because he was also organising a Workers' Welfare Committee for all campus staff.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Narayanan \|first1=Rajendran \|title=Dismantling the labyrinth: What I learnt about power and privilege when I quit Ashoka in 2016 \|url=Firing of professor will hurt Ashoka, says university faculty body as three staff exit over Kashmir petition \|access-date=25 March 2021 \|publisher=Scroll \|date=24 March 2021}}</ref><br>		In October 2016, a faculty member, Rajendran Narayanan, and two other employees resigned; it was alleged by the Faculty Council that they were asked to resign because they signed a petition on Kashmir, something the university denies.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Chopra \|first1=Ritika \|title=Firing of professor will hurt Ashoka, says university faculty body as three staff exit over Kashmir petition \|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/firing-of-professor-will-hurt-ashoka-says-university-faculty-body-as-three-staff-exit-over-kashmir-petition-4548903/ \|access-date=25 March 2021 \|publisher=Indian Express \|date=1 March 2017}}</ref> Narayanan believes he was targeted because he was also organising a Workers' Welfare Committee for all campus staff.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Narayanan \|first1=Rajendran \|title=Dismantling the labyrinth: What I learnt about power and privilege when I quit Ashoka in 2016 \|url=Firing of professor will hurt Ashoka, says university faculty body as three staff exit over Kashmir petition \|access-date=25 March 2021 \|publisher=Scroll \|date=24 March 2021}}</ref><br>

	In March 2021, two faculty members, [[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]] and [[Arvind Subramanian]], resigned within days of each other, alleging curb of academic freedom in the university.<ref name=TheHindu>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arvind-subramanian-resigns-from-ashoka-university-after-pb-mehtas-exit/article34097686.ece\|title=Arvind Subramanian resigns from Ashoka University after P.B. ~~Mehta’s~~ exit\|date=2021-03-18\|website=The Hindu\|language=en-US\|access-date=2021-03-18}}</ref> Mehta has been an open advocate of liberalism, speaking openly about the 'Death of liberalism' under the [[Narendra Modi]] Government.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://theprint.in/india/5-reasons-why-liberalism-is-dead-according-to-pratap-bhanu-mehta/260504/\|title=5 reasons why ~~‘liberalism~~ is ~~dead’~~ according to Pratap Bhanu Mehta\|date=2019-07-09\|website=www.theprint.in/\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-07-09}}</ref> He resigned from Ashoka University in March 2021, when trustees [[Pramath Raj Sinha]] and [[Ashish Dhawan]] are said to have told him that his "intellectual interventions were something they could no longer protect."<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Chopra \|first1=Ritika \|title=Founders made clear I was political liability for Ashoka University: Pratap Bhanu Mehta \|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pratap-bhanu-mehta-resignation-letter-ashoka-university-7234669/ \|access-date=19 March 2021 \|publisher=Indian Express \|date=19 March 2021}}</ref> This was followed by protests from students and faculty, who alleged that Mehta's views on the Modi administration might have drawn pressure internally, leading him to resign.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.boomlive.in/fact-file/pratap-bhanu-mehta-resignation-ashoka-university-student-faculty-protest-12400\|title=Bhanu Pratap Mehta's Exit Upsets Ashoka University Students & Faculty\|date=2021-03-18\|website=www.Boomlive.in\|language=en-US\|access-date=2021-03-18}}</ref> But the vice-chancellor denied that.<ref name=TheHindu />		In March 2021, two faculty members, [[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]] and [[Arvind Subramanian]], resigned within days of each other, alleging curb of academic freedom in the university.<ref name=TheHindu>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arvind-subramanian-resigns-from-ashoka-university-after-pb-mehtas-exit/article34097686.ece\|title=Arvind Subramanian resigns from Ashoka University after P.B. Mehta's exit\|date=2021-03-18\|website=The Hindu\|language=en-US\|access-date=2021-03-18}}</ref> Mehta has been an open advocate of liberalism, speaking openly about the 'Death of liberalism' under the [[Narendra Modi]] Government.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://theprint.in/india/5-reasons-why-liberalism-is-dead-according-to-pratap-bhanu-mehta/260504/\|title=5 reasons why 'liberalism is dead' according to Pratap Bhanu Mehta\|date=2019-07-09\|website=www.theprint.in/\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-07-09}}</ref> He resigned from Ashoka University in March 2021, when trustees [[Pramath Raj Sinha]] and [[Ashish Dhawan]] are said to have told him that his "intellectual interventions were something they could no longer protect."<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Chopra \|first1=Ritika \|title=Founders made clear I was political liability for Ashoka University: Pratap Bhanu Mehta \|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pratap-bhanu-mehta-resignation-letter-ashoka-university-7234669/ \|access-date=19 March 2021 \|publisher=Indian Express \|date=19 March 2021}}</ref> This was followed by protests from students and faculty, who alleged that Mehta's views on the Modi administration might have drawn pressure internally, leading him to resign.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.boomlive.in/fact-file/pratap-bhanu-mehta-resignation-ashoka-university-student-faculty-protest-12400\|title=Bhanu Pratap Mehta's Exit Upsets Ashoka University Students & Faculty\|date=2021-03-18\|website=www.Boomlive.in\|language=en-US\|access-date=2021-03-18}}</ref> But the vice-chancellor denied that.<ref name=TheHindu />

	==Notable faculty==		==Notable faculty==

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2021-06-12T13:07:06Z

Controversies

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{{Short description|Private liberal arts university in Haryana, India}}
{{Peacock|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Ashoka University
| image =
| image_size =
| established = 2014
| type = [[Private university|Private]]
| endowment =
| chancellor = [[Rudrangshu Mukherjee]]
| vice_chancellor = [[Malabika Sarkar]]
| dean =
| academic_staff =
| students =
| undergrad =
| postgrad =
| city = [[Sonepat]]
| state = [[Haryana]]
| country = [[India]]
| campus = {{Convert|25|acre|ha}} (Main campus)
| colours = Ashoka University Red {{Colour box|#C4122F}}<br />Ashoka University Blue {{Colour box|#0D3862}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.ashoka.edu.in}}
| logo = Ashoka University logo with wordmark.png
| affiliations = [[University Grants Commission (India)|UGC]]; [[Association of Commonwealth Universities|ACU]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.acu.ac.uk/membership/acu-members/asia |title=Association of Commonwealth Universities Membars-Asia |access-date=16 Jan 2019}}</ref>|
}}

'''Ashoka University''' is a private liberal arts and sciences university in [[Sonipat]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]. The university is recognised by the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] (UGC), the [[Government of India]], and the [[Government of Haryana]].

==History==
The idea was generated while in talks with IIT Delhi students. They later approached former [[Indian School of Business]] dean [[Pramath Raj Sinha|Pramath Sinha]] for help in setting up a university that would be of a different calibre than that of present higher education in India. The project was code-named Project Nobel,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/education-2/ashoka-university-takes-its-project-nobel-ahead-with-donation-for-centre-of-biosciences/1835652/|title=Ashoka University takes its Project Nobel ahead with donation for Centre of Biosciences|date=2020-01-27|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-26}}</ref> referring to the founders' aspiration to produce future [[Nobel Prize]] laureates. At the same time, [[Sanjeev Bikhchandani]] and [[Ashish Dhawan]] also approached Pramath with a vision of a university, and Pramath combined the two visions.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ashoka, India’s first liberal arts university, to open in August |publisher=The Hindu Business Line | url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/education/ashoka-indias-first-liberal-arts-university-to-open-in-august/article5953658.ece | access-date = 2014-04-07 }}</ref>

Initial discussions leaned towards setting up an institute of engineering and technology that could perhaps match the reputation of leading institutions in the field such as [[MIT]], the [[University of Pennsylvania]] and [[Stanford University]]. Ashoka's founders consequently signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] with the [[University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science]]. The founders' list named 22 people, including [[Ashok Trivedi]], [[Dilip Shanghvi]], [[Nirmal Jain]], [[Sanjeev Bikhchandani]] and [[Jerry Rao]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/dilip-shanghvi-nirmal-jain-others-line-up-to-back-ashoka-university/articleshow/33756357.cms|title=Dilip Shanghvi, Nirmal Jain, others line up to back Ashoka University|first=Devina|last=Sengupta|date=15 April 2014|access-date=27 April 2018|via=Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/stories/ashoka-university-celebrates-founders-day-159|title=Ashoka University celebrates Founders’ Day|last=University|first=Ashoka|website=Ashoka University|language=en|access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref>

Ashoka's concept, however, shifted from an engineering and technology focus to a [[liberal arts]] approach, providing instruction in the core sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ashoka University|publisher=Ashoka University | url = http://ashoka.edu.in/About-Us/Vision | access-date = 2014-08-07 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League, promises ‘world-class’ liberal arts education|date=11 May 2014|website=Economic Times}}</ref> The decision was inspired by both industry demand and a desire to change the mindsets of Indian students and parents to see education as an end in itself, rather than merely a stepping stone to securing a job.<ref>{{cite web | title = 47% of Graduates of 2013 Unemployable for Any Job: Study|publisher=The New Indian Express | url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/news/47-of-Graduates-of-2013-Unemployable-for-Any-Job-Study/2013/12/26/article1966550.ece | access-date = 2013-12-26 }}</ref> Ashok Trivedi fortified this decision by setting up the Ashok Trivedi Centre for Political Data (TCPD) in partnership with the [[University of Michigan]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-michigan-university-partner-to-set-up-ashok-trivedi-centre-for-political-data/articleshow/51299277.cms|title=Ashoka University, Michigan University partner to set up Ashok Trivedi Centre for Political Data|last=Khosla|first=Varuni|date=2016-03-08|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref> TCPD helps build datasets and authoritative knowledge on India's political life and diffuses the same through an open-access platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tcpd.ashoka.edu.in/governing-body-2/|title=Ashoka University's TCPD Governing Body|website=Ashoka University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628100617/https://tcpd.ashoka.edu.in/governing-body-2/|archive-date=28 June 2018|access-date=2018-06-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2020, Ashoka university announced the establishment of the Trivedi School of Biosciences. Virologist [[Shahid Jameel]] is the first director of the centre.<ref>https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/biology-tsbs-374</ref>

==Campus==
Ashoka University's {{Convert|25|acre||abbr=|adj=on}} main campus is in the Rajiv Gandhi Education City in Sonepat, Haryana. It was designed by the American design firm [[Perkins Eastman]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Goyal|first=Malini|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League, promises ‘world-class’ liberal arts education|date=2014-05-11|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-02-26}}</ref> led by architect [[Aaron Schwarz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perkinseastman.com/project_3409933_ashoka_university|title=Ashoka University|access-date=27 December 2018|website=Perkins Eastman}}</ref>

==Organisation and administration ==
===Governance ===
Ashoka University is funded entirely by donations, with no hierarchies present in the founding group in terms of decision-making. The group includes over 70 entrepreneurs and industry leaders.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ashoka University|website=Ashoka University| url = http://ashoka.edu.in/about-us/Founders | access-date = 2014-03-02 }}</ref> Some of them also founded [[Plaksha University]]. The founders were drawn to the idea of a university where no single individual held sway, but whose administration would be driven by the potential for social change based on critical inquiry, free from political pressure.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ivy League, Indian-style|publisher=Financial Times, UK | url = https://www.ft.com/content/b8fabc8c-1559-11e8-9c33-02f893d608c2 | access-date = 2018-07-24 }}</ref> In addition to the [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]], [[Vice-Chancellor|vice-chancellor]] and [[Dean (education)|dean]]s, Ashoka is guided by an academic council of academics and scholars from around the world. The council sets the university's academic standard, advising on matters of curriculum, faculty hiring and research.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ashoka University|publisher=Ashoka University website | url = http://ashoka.edu.in/about-us/Academic-Council | access-date = 2014-03-02 }}</ref>

==Academics==
===Undergraduate programme===
Ashoka University offers a full-time residential multidisciplinary 3 (+ 1) year undergraduate programme. Students are encouraged to extend one more year after the standard three and do further in-depth research in their chosen major under the guidance of a faculty member, completing the standard 4-year university education, which many universities abroad require to admit students to their doctoral research programmes. The university's first class, inducted in 2014, graduated in May 2017. It had about 120 students.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ashoka University, Sonepat Courses & Fees 2020|url=https://www.shiksha.com/university/ashoka-university-sonepat-53541/courses|access-date=2020-09-04|website=www.shiksha.com}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

The admission procedure includes an application form, an on-spot essay, an interview, and an optional aptitude objective test. During the admission of students into Ashoka's UG programme, students are not required to declare their major and may experiment with their course preferences. Only after the third semester does the school require students to declare a major.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Call Of The Mind {{!}} Media {{!}} FLAME University|url=https://www.flame.edu.in/in-the-media/the-call-of-the-mind|access-date=2020-09-04|website=www.flame.edu.in}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

===Young India Fellowship===
The [[Young India Fellowship]] is a one-year postgraduate programme that was launched in 2011 with a vision "To create a global fellowship by nurturing a pool of talented young individuals and prepare them to think critically, communicate effectively and become leaders with a commitment to public service."<ref>{{cite web | title = Young India Fellowship|publisher=Ashoka University | url = https://yifp.in/Uploads/Brochure/YIF-Student-flyer.pdf | access-date = 2019-06-30 }}</ref> Its first graduating class included 57 Fellows, all of whom were provided a full scholarship.<ref>{{cite web | title = Young India Fellowship|publisher=Ashoka University | url = http://yifp.in | access-date = 2014-08-07 }}</ref> The programme comprises eight terms of six weeks each, with up to four courses in each term. The Fellowship emphasizes writing, research, and experiential learning—in the form of an 8-month part-time Experiential Learning Module.<ref>{{cite web | title = Young India Fellowship|publisher=Ashoka University | url = https://yifp.in/Uploads/Brochure/YIF-Student-flyer.pdf | access-date = 2019-06-30 }}</ref> The application for the fellowship has an age restriction and it only allows students with maximum 28 years of age to apply for the program.<ref>{{cite web | title = Young India Fellowship|publisher=Ashoka University | url = https://yifp.in/StudentProfile.aspx | access-date = 2014-08-07 }}</ref>

===Admission===
Ashoka has its own admissions test, called the Ashoka Aptitude Test. It also accepts the [[SAT]] from domestic applicants, one of the first universities in India to do so. Students are welcome to take either test without prejudice.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ashoka University|publisher=Ashoka University website | url = https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/ug-admissions-40 | access-date = 2018-07-24 }}</ref> Ashoka University is a Founding Member institution of the India Global Higher Education Alliance, which addresses how admissions policies among Indian and non-Indian institutions influence access and equity in higher education.<ref>{{cite web | title = India Global Higher Education Alliance|publisher=College Board | url = https://international.collegeboard.org/global-alliance | access-date = 2018-07-24 }}</ref>

===Recognition and rankings===
Ashoka University has been hailed as aspiring to be the "Ivy League of India" by ''[[Financial Times]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kazmin |first1=Amy |title=Ashoka University: Ivy League, Indian-style |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b8fabc8c-1559-11e8-9c33-02f893d608c2 |website=Financial Times (FT) |publisher=Financial Times |access-date=March 8, 2018}}</ref>''[[The Economic Times|The Economics Times]]''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goyal |first1=Malini |title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms |website=Economic Times |publisher=Economic Times |access-date=May 11, 2014}}</ref> and ''[[Open (Indian magazine)|Open Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sra |first1=Gunjeet |title=India’s New Ivy League |url=https://openthemagazine.com/features/india/indias-new-ivy-league/ |website=Open The Magazine |publisher=Open The Magazine |access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> The institution was ranked the second-best private university in India in ''EducationWorld 2019-20 Rankings''.<ref>{{cite web |title=India’s top 100 private universities |url=https://www.educationworld.in/indias-top-100-private-universities-5/ |website=Education World |publisher=Education World |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

==Controversies==
In October 2016, a faculty member, Rajendran Narayanan, and two other employees resigned; it was alleged by the Faculty Council that they were asked to resign because they signed a petition on Kashmir, something the university denies.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chopra |first1=Ritika |title=Firing of professor will hurt Ashoka, says university faculty body as three staff exit over Kashmir petition |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/firing-of-professor-will-hurt-ashoka-says-university-faculty-body-as-three-staff-exit-over-kashmir-petition-4548903/ |access-date=25 March 2021 |publisher=Indian Express |date=1 March 2017}}</ref> Narayanan believes he was targeted because he was also organising a Workers' Welfare Committee for all campus staff.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Narayanan |first1=Rajendran |title=Dismantling the labyrinth: What I learnt about power and privilege when I quit Ashoka in 2016 |url=Firing of professor will hurt Ashoka, says university faculty body as three staff exit over Kashmir petition |access-date=25 March 2021 |publisher=Scroll |date=24 March 2021}}</ref><br>

In March 2021, two faculty members, [[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]] and [[Arvind Subramanian]], resigned within days of each other, alleging curb of academic freedom in the university.<ref name=TheHindu>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arvind-subramanian-resigns-from-ashoka-university-after-pb-mehtas-exit/article34097686.ece|title=Arvind Subramanian resigns from Ashoka University after P.B. Mehta’s exit|date=2021-03-18|website=The Hindu|language=en-US|access-date=2021-03-18}}</ref> Mehta has been an open advocate of liberalism, speaking openly about the 'Death of liberalism' under the [[Narendra Modi]] Government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/5-reasons-why-liberalism-is-dead-according-to-pratap-bhanu-mehta/260504/|title=5 reasons why ‘liberalism is dead’ according to Pratap Bhanu Mehta|date=2019-07-09|website=www.theprint.in/|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-09}}</ref> He resigned from Ashoka University in March 2021, when trustees [[Pramath Raj Sinha]] and [[Ashish Dhawan]] are said to have told him that his "intellectual interventions were something they could no longer protect."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chopra |first1=Ritika |title=Founders made clear I was political liability for Ashoka University: Pratap Bhanu Mehta |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pratap-bhanu-mehta-resignation-letter-ashoka-university-7234669/ |access-date=19 March 2021 |publisher=Indian Express |date=19 March 2021}}</ref> This was followed by protests from students and faculty, who alleged that Mehta's views on the Modi administration might have drawn pressure internally, leading him to resign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boomlive.in/fact-file/pratap-bhanu-mehta-resignation-ashoka-university-student-faculty-protest-12400|title=Bhanu Pratap Mehta's Exit Upsets Ashoka University Students & Faculty|date=2021-03-18|website=www.Boomlive.in|language=en-US|access-date=2021-03-18}}</ref> But the vice-chancellor denied that.<ref name=TheHindu />

==Notable faculty==
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2020}}

Notable faculty of the university includes:
* [[Malabika Sarkar]], Vice-Chancellor since 1 August 2019
* [[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]], Vice-Chancellor (July 2017 - 1 August 2019)
* [[Rudrangshu Mukherjee]], Chancellor since August 2017 (Founding Vice-Chancellor from 2014 - 2017)
* [[Rajendra Bhatia]]
* [[Upinder Singh]]
* [[Inder Bir Singh Passi]]
* [[Pulapre Balakrishnan]]
* [[Ali Khan Mahmudabad]]
* [[Gopalkrishna Gandhi|Gopal Krishna Gandhi]]
* [[Srinath Raghavan]]
* [[Nayanjot Lahiri]]
* [[Clancy Martin]]
* [[Justin McCarthy (dancer)|Justin McCarthy]]
* [[Ashwini Deshpande]]
* [[Arvind Subramanian]]<ref>https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/former-cea-arvind-subramanian-is-returning-to-india-to-join-ashoka-university-as-economics-professor-5464211.html</ref>
* [[Sunil Khilnani]]
* [[Sudha Bhattacharya]]
* [[Alok Bhattacharya]]
* [[Mahesh Rangarajan]]
* [[Amit Chaudhuri]]
* [[L. S. Shashidhara]]
* [[Rita Kothari]]
* [[Janice Pariat]]
* [[Amita Baviskar]]
* [[Saikat Majumdar]]
*[[Nayan Chanda]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=University|first=Ashoka|title=Faculty/Staff|url=https://ashoka.edu.in/faculty#!/nayan-chanda-14|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Ashoka University|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Mahmood Kooria]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=University|first=Ashoka|title=Faculty/Staff|url=https://ashoka.edu.in/faculty#!/mahmood-kooria-1587|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Ashoka University|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Aparna Vaidik]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=University|first=Ashoka|title=Faculty/Staff|url=https://ashoka.edu.in/faculty#!/aparna-vaidik-17|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Ashoka University|language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of think tanks in India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.ashoka.edu.in Official website]

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{{Universities in Haryana}}
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[[Category:Universities in Haryana]]
[[Category:Sonipat district]]
[[Category:Private universities in India]]