SNU Chennai in 2030 will be a global University, focused on innovation, research, academic excellence and creativity to develop socially conscious leaders capable of addressing future challenges, shared Prof. S. K. Bhattacharyya, Vice Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, Chennai in an exclusive interaction with Kaanchi Chawla of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:
Shiv Nadar University, Chennai is emerging as one of the most forward-looking private universities in India. What is your guiding vision and how close do you think the university is to achieving that vision today?
The progress of Shiv Nadar University, Chennai (SNU Chennai), as one of India’s most forward-looking private universities, is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and our brilliant student community, all operating under the inspiring vision of the Shiv Nadar Foundation.
Our Guiding Vision: Creating Global Knowledge Leaders:
Our guiding vision is to establish SNU Chennai as a globally recognised research university committed to excellence primarily in three core areas:
- Transformative Multidisciplinary Education: We aim to develop and educate the ‘path-shapers of tomorrow‘ – graduates capable of responsible and ethical leadership. This is achieved through a flexible, multi-disciplinary curriculum that encourages students to dissolve traditional barriers between fields, be it engineering, sciences, economics, law, or commerce, and equips them with the critical thinking, adaptability, and resilience needed for future challenges. Our programs are designed to be industry-ready and globally relevant, focusing on niche, in-demand areas like Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, Cyber Security, Internet of Things, Economics (Data Science) and Commerce (Professional Accounting).
- Frontier Research and Innovation: We are dedicated to supporting scholarly and creative endeavours that contribute to the creation of new knowledge and directly address the most pressing problems of the country. This commitment is underpinned by a research-driven pedagogy, excellent facilities, and an environment that fosters deep-dive research and entrepreneurial spirit.
- Social Consciousness and Betterment: Our goal is to expand the scope of human understanding and use our knowledge to contribute to the betterment of the world. We strive to instill a strong sense of social responsibility and inclusiveness in our community, upholding the principle that education must serve society.
Where does SNUC stand today on key metrics: total enrollment, female:male ratio, percentage of students on scholarships, student–faculty ratio, and international student share? Can you share the year-on-year growth in applications, offers, and yields for the last three admission cycles, and what’s driving conversion?
Till the academic year 2025-26, the total student strength of the University is around 2000, out of which approximately 48% are female students. In some of the programs, the female student percentage is as high as 52%. The University has provision for different categories of faculty members such as distinguished visiting faculty, visiting faculty, Adjunct Faculty apart from the regular full time faculty members. The University maintains a ratio of 1:20 as faculty / student. The Shiv Nadar Foundation believes in the idea that no meritorious student be deprived of the education because of financial constraint. Accordingly, Shiv Nadar University Chennai has attractive Scholarship schemes namely Merit Scholarship, Merit-cum-Means Scholarship, Sports Scholarship and Walk-in-Walk-out Scholarships. Since the inception of the University from the Academic year 2021-22, we have seen a surge in applications, increasing by 20-25% every year.
How do you define a “21st-century university” in the Indian context and what unique elements make SNU Chennai fit that definition?
Defining a 21st-Century University in the Indian Context:
In the Indian context, a 21st-century university is not merely an institution that offers technological courses; it is one that fundamentally re-engineers its structure and pedagogy to produce creators and problem-solvers, not just employees.
SNU Chennai was conceptualised and launched specifically to embody this 21st-century ideal. The following unique elements illustrate how we fit this definition:
- Radically Multidisciplinary Curriculum
We have a foundational commitment to breaking disciplinary silos. Our structure mandates that every student, regardless of their major, must engage in a Common Core Curriculum (CCC) and flexible electives from different groups and a concept called Micro-specialisation in areas away from Major disciplines.
A B.Tech. student in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science can pursue a Micro-specialisation in Economics, or a B.Com. students can take micro-specialisations in AI and Data Science. This prepares a generation that can solve complex, inter-related problems like the Economics of Climate Change or the Ethics of AI.
- Undergraduate Research Ecosystem
We foster a love for research from the very start, which is rare in a young Indian private university.
- Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Program: This dedicated initiative allows undergraduate students to work directly with faculty members on cutting-edge projects, often leading to publications and conference presentations. This hands-on experience transforms them from passive learners into active contributors of knowledge.
- Cutting-Edge Research Areas: Our focus is on contemporary, high-impact areas like Cognition and Behaviour, Data and Computation, Environment, and Energy.
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- Industry-Focused Programs in Niche Areas
Our programs are designed in anticipation of future industry needs, ensuring immediate relevance and high graduate placement potential.
- We have Future-Ready Programs such as B.Tech. in AI & Data Science, B.Tech. in Computer Science with IoT and B.Tech, in Computer Science with Cyber Security.
- The B.Com. (Professional Accounting) program is specifically integrated with the Chartered Accountancy curriculum, providing a unique path for simultaneous degree and professional qualification.
- By integrating a research-driven academic model, a flexible multidisciplinary structure, and a strong focus on social impact, SNU Chennai is operating not as an inheritor of the 20th-century model, but as a deliberate pioneer of the 21st-century educational paradigm in India.
