The Harish and Bina Shah Foundation (HBSF) has donated Rs 250 crores, the single largest grant the university has received in its ten-year history, supporting Ashoka University’s intentions to establish an institution of higher learning, as per the press release.
The unrestricted grant is primarily intended to encourage multidisciplinary research projects in the social and scientific sciences at Ashoka, as well as to advance teaching and research excellence in the humanities disciplines (which generally include languages, literature, history, and philosophy). The cash will be disbursed over a five-year period in tranches to expedite the university’s expansion.
“As Ashoka University embarks upon its next phase of growth towards being a global research-focused university, we at the Harish and Bina Shah Foundation are honoured to support one of the most important institutions shaping Indian higher education. As a foundation, one of our goals is to promote world-class education and research through Indian-origin institutions,” Harish Shah, Director, Harish & Bina Shah Foundation.
As stated in the statement, the HBSF grant will be used to support interdisciplinary research initiatives in fields that intersect with the social and natural sciences at Ashoka, including development economics, artificial intelligence, technology for society, and healthcare, as well as to strengthen undergraduate and graduate programs across the humanities.
“This generous contribution by HBSF will help Ashoka to enhance its capabilities to nurture the immense talent of India’s students by providing quality higher education especially in the humanities disciplines,” Pramath Raj Sinha, co-founder, chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University, said.
