Shobhit University was never meant to be an isolated seat of learning; it is a living platform for purposeful knowledge, grounded in India’s civilisational ethos and attuned to the demands of a fast-changing world. For us, education is a national service, an act of regeneration, shared Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Co-Founder & Chancellor, Shobhit University in an exclusive interaction with Kaanchi Chawla of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:
Shobhit University calls itself a mission more than an institution. What does that mean in practice? How does this philosophy show up in tangible results?
Our roots are in transformation, not transaction. For over a century, education has been the lifeblood of our family’s work, carried forward with a deep sense of responsibility to society. Shobhit University was never meant to be an isolated seat of learning; it is a living platform for purposeful knowledge, grounded in India’s civilisational ethos and attuned to the demands of a fast-changing world. For us, education is a national service, an act of regeneration.
Our philosophy shows up by taking quality where it’s needed most. We built our campuses in Meerut and Gangoh, places often overlooked by mainstream higher education, to make excellence accessible. Today, we are counted among a select league of Indian universities with:
- NAAC ‘A’ Grade accreditation
- DSIR–SIRO recognition for research
- 900+ patents filed in 2023–24 (Govt. of India data)
But beyond rankings and numbers, what defines us is relevance. Every laboratory, curriculum, and collaboration is designed to improve lives, not just feed markets.
Securing over 900 patents is truly a remarkable achievement. What are the key factors that drive and sustain such a strong culture of innovation within your organisation?
Curiosity with a conscience. Our scholars are encouraged to question, to experiment, to find solutions that matter. Through the Shobhit Innovation & Start-up Foundation, AICTE IDEA Lab, and our MSME-supported Incubator, ideas are shepherded from concept to creation. These patents aren’t trophies; they are answers to real challenges, whether in rural health, agricultural technology, or herbal therapeutics.
Ayurveda and AI may appear to come from very different worlds. How do you bring them together to create meaningful impact?
We see them as part of one continuum. Ayurveda, Yoga, and India’s traditional sciences are evolving knowledge systems, not relics of the past. At Shobhit, they share space with Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Engineering. For example, we are using AI to analyse Ayurvedic formulations, studying the genome of Rudraksha, and offering India’s first LL.M. in Cybersecurity & AI Law. This is civilisational wisdom meeting cutting-edge science.
How does Shobhit University contribute to regional and national development and the global perspective?
Our role is nation-building through direct action. From adopting villages under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan to skilling thousands of rural youth with bodies like NSDC, we see community engagement as an academic duty, not an afterthought. Our students and faculty conduct legal aid camps, health outreach, and farmer training programs as part of their learning. This local service model now informs our collaborations with universities abroad, taking India’s grassroots development story to the world.
We define globalisation as a mindset, not a postcode. Our alumni are in leadership roles across continents, our research is cited in international journals, and our partnerships span Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Yet, our graduates leave with a clear understanding that global thinking must be rooted in local responsibility.
As we look ahead to India@2047, what is your vision for the nation’s growth and transformation?”
We aim to prepare leaders who are as comfortable in a quantum lab as they are with Gandhian ideals—technologically adept, ethically grounded, and culturally connected. India’s future will be shaped not just by policies, but by awakened minds and compassionate hearts. At Shobhit, this is our mission for the next quarter century.
