Plaksha University- Reimagining Tech Education for India and The World

Indian engineers may figure among the most powerful CEOs in the world, but the country's BTech degree has lost its sheen over the years. Indian engineers are largely considered unemployable. Some of the reasons are outdated curriculum, lack of research, non-existent linkages with industry and poor infrastructure due to non-availability of funds.

Plaksha is committed to addressing the gaps in the job market by empowering its graduates with a deep understanding of science and technology. The university will also nurture students to become critical thinkers, effective communicators, and empathetic and creative leaders.

"The current disciplines of engineering are built on the chassis of World War II and need reimagination. Most engineering colleges still offer mechanical, electrical engineering, among others. However, businesses and society need multiple types of engineers to work collaboratively to leverage technology and derive output. Plaksha is trying to change this, and its vision resonates with us," says Ameet Kumar Gupta, Director, Havells India Ltd.

With a vision to create future-ready tech leaders, Plaksha has designed a unique pedagogical model based on three pillars. First – an interdisciplinary technology curriculum that integrates liberal arts and design with hands-on pedagogy and self-development. Second – a research and innovation ecosystem fueled by industry-sponsored research, industry-linked academia and startup mentorship by top CXOs and entrepreneurs. Third – a focus on addressing grand challenges that are structured around real-time problems, impact-focused research and tomorrow's technologies.

Plaksha’s vision is centered on reimagining tech education and engineering education in India for a rapidly evolving world. By bringing together technology, science, design, liberal arts and entrepreneurship, Plaksha is building an interdisciplinary approach to BTech education that prepares students to navigate the demands of the global technology ecosystem. This approach reflects Plaksha’s broader commitment to shaping the future of global tech education while creating a new model for technology and engineering education in India.

Plaksha partners with top universities globally, such as MIT, Stanford, Cornell, the University of Cambridge, NTU Singapore, IIT and IISc, among others. Our partners share the same belief as us—to reimagine engineering education and research. We work very closely with them on curriculum design, delivery, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative research.

The university is actively fostering a new ecosystem for research and innovation on its campus. Imagined as a living lab—a microcosm of society—it is a place to understand and address grand challenges. The tech-enabled campus fosters creativity and is a vibrant space for innovation. It has signature maker spaces and labs that serve as a playground for curious tinkerers. Students and faculty engage in experiments that encourage interaction and make the campus sustainable.

Havells is supporting this vision by setting up a research block—a collaborative workspace with multiple lecture theaters, conference rooms and offices—where cutting-edge research takes place.

"We are aligned with Plaksha's vision of fostering future leaders—students who can reimagine things and become problem solvers. We are confident that Plaksha is going to create engineers who are useful for the industry. It can lead other universities to follow a similar path," says Anil Rai Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, Havells India Ltd.

Plaksha is a collective philanthropy effort of more than 60 eminent entrepreneurs, business leaders and corporates from across the world. The founders are business leaders and technology entrepreneurs based in Hong Kong, India, London, New York, Silicon Valley, Singapore and Tokyo. They play an active role not only by investing philanthropically but also by mentoring students and building a community of changemakers and impact creators.

Plaksha's focus on interdisciplinary and cutting-edge technology majors, the integration of design, liberal arts and entrepreneurship, self and leadership for creating impact, and experiential and blended learning ensures that its graduates are future-ready.

The Content Team at Plaksha University leads storytelling, blog and website content, social media, newsletters and event coverage and press and media coverage. The team writes about the University's initiatives, academic programs, research, innovation, and the impact created by the students, faculty, and collaborators and in the process offer readers a closer look at the people and ideas shaping the future of technology education.