An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
— Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, was right on the money. An education is almost always a passport to higher achievements in life. This edition of INDIA EMPIRE is focused quite heavily on education, beginning with a cover story on the New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM), recognized by the AICTE and the CII as the best management institute in India for industry linkages three years in a row between 2017 and 2019. This premier B-school with over 80 faculty members offers nationally and internationally accredited PGDM courses in eight futuristic dual specializations. Its advisory board has a host of decorated individuals, including seven that have received the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards.

In his interview to us, NDIM’s Chairman Mr Vishwa Mohan Bansal points out that after being established in 1992, the institute initially focused on coaching students for the civil services, banks and other job-related examinations. In the mid-1990s, the then Lt Governor of Delhi requested Mr Bansal to establish a top quality business school and offered him five acres of institutional land. But due to financial constraints at the time, the NDIM was set up on a 1,000 sq metre plot but it didn’t prevent it from taking off. The rest, as they say, is history.

In this education special, we also have an interview with Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities (AIU). She spells out that the future of Indian higher education depends on the implementation of key NEP 2020 recommendations. Priorities include institutional autonomy, multidisciplinary and skill-based education, international collaborations, and integrating technology with expanded digital learning access. Strengthening research, building global partnerships, and fostering industry-academia linkages are critical for improving employability and global competitiveness. Emphasizing sustainability and inclusivity will drive innovation and sustainable growth, steps that would undoubtedly position India as a global hub for academic excellence.

The AIU itself plays a vital role in the growth and development of Indian universities through its various initiatives including advocacy of the interests of Indian universities at national and international levels, providing a platform for universities to exchange ideas and share best practices, working closely with the government on policy issues, capacity building to enhance leadership skills, academic equivalence, international collaboration, and information dissemination.

Elsewhere in the magazine, we’ve a report on the GOPIO International Festival that took place in Malaysia in September. The Government of India has accorded high priority to Malaysia when it comes to engaging with the PIO community. When in December 2023 the GOPIO International organized the Business Summit & Expo in partnership with the Indian High Commission in Malaysia (where the India Empire was a Magazine Partner), the Indian Government was represented by Mr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, then Minister of State for External Affairs. More recently, when the 15th GOPIO International Convention and Apravasi Diwas was organized in September 2024 in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, the Indian Government was represented by Mr Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs. The deputation of ministers of state to such prominent Indian Diaspora events in Malaysia indicates that the Indian Government is quite serious about its engagement with the Malaysian Indian Diaspora. The event had over 20,000 visitors.

Also, there is an interview with the High Commissioner designate of South Africa to India, Ambassador Anil Sooklal, that took place before his arrival to India. Please explore this issue and let us have your feedback.

Sayantan Chakravarty
sayantanc@gmail.com