Plaksha University, an upcoming collective philanthropic venture backed by leading technology entrepreneurs, business leaders and corporates, today, announced a strategic collaboration with Bharti Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises.
The project cost about ₹2,000 crore over 10 years, and the University will commence operations in 2021, says a press release.
Promoting innovation
As a part of the collaboration with Plaksha, Bharti will infuse funds towards infrastructure support for construction of the academic block, and provide scholarships to undergraduate/graduate students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Bharti has plans to additionally collaborate with Plaksha to set up the ‘Bharti Innovation Park,’ which will be executed over a period of seven to ten years. The Innovation Park will primarily focus on industry-driven research, innovation, and a start-up incubator, a research park, and several community activities.
Announcing the partnership, Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Vice-Chairman, Bharti Enterprises and Co-Chairman, Bharti Foundation said, “With a common shared vision, we will jointly work towards the creation of a world-class technology institution for providing high-quality education across research, design, innovation, and entrepreneurship to students, enabling them to be future-ready.”
Reimagining tech education
Neeraj Aggarwal, Chairman - Asia Pacific, Boston Consulting Group, and Founder and Trustee, Plaksha University said, “Plaksha is spearheading a movement to re-imagine technology education and research in India.”
Some of the initial interdisciplinary areas where Plaksha wants to focus include data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber physical systems, and bio-engineering. Setting up distinctive research centres on grand challenge areas such as digital health, digital agriculture, clean energy, future mobility, cyber security, AI for good, is a part of Plaksha's plans.