QS: What is your university’s vision and how is its mission and actions unique within the region?

Dr Dhruv Galgotia: The vision of Galgotias University is to transform education into a catalyst for innovation, social mobility and national development, while also shaping leaders who are globally competitive and ethically grounded. Our mission is not only to prepare technically skilled graduates but also to nurture lifelong learners with entrepreneurial thinking and a sense of responsibility toward society.

What makes us unique in the region is our ability to integrate future-ready curricula, global collaborations and strong values in one ecosystem. Through G-SCALE (Galgotias Student-Centered Active Learning Ecosystem), developed in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, we are among the few Indian universities to pioneer active learning classrooms at scale. This model empowers students with critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills, competencies often missing in traditional education systems.

Our uniqueness also lies in our industry-academia bridge. With dedicated labs established with Apple, Cisco, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, HP-NVIDIA and AWS, our students are constantly exposed to technologies driving Industry 4.0. Further, initiatives like India’s first Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme in Industrial Automation, in collaboration with IASC SSC, are shaping the future of skill-based higher education in India.

We are also proud that these innovations have been validated globally. Galgotias ranks in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (1201–1400 band, 15 among private universities) and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 (1001–1200 band, 45 in India). These achievements underscore our mission to create a globally engaged, future-oriented and socially impactful university rooted in India but contributing to the world.

QS: What skills and values does society need to succeed and why and how is your university addressing those skills and values?

DG: In today’s rapidly changing world, success requires more than technical expertise. Societies need a fusion of digital skills, adaptability, ethical leadership, creativity and empathy. Emerging domains like Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies and semiconductors demand strong technical knowledge, but without values like integrity, inclusivity and sustainability, progress risks becoming short-lived.

At Galgotias University, we deliberately shape our programmes to balance skills with values. On one side, we provide industry-driven skills through labs, certifications and co-created curricula with partners like IBM, Microsoft and Wipro. Our students work on real-world projects, access research opportunities and train in active learning classrooms that build critical problem-solving skills.

On the other side, we embed Universal Human Values courses, Naari Utthan women empowerment projects and community engagement initiatives, ensuring students graduate with empathy and social responsibility. Our Atal Incubation Centre nurtures student startups by providing mentorship, funding access and innovation labs, teaching resilience, leadership and collaboration.

The result is that our graduates are not just employable but future-ready global citizens. They are prepared to lead industries, solve societal challenges and engage meaningfully in communities. By building this dual competency, Galgotias ensures that its contribution to society goes beyond placements; it nurtures leaders who will shape the future of India and the world.

QS: Where are the biggest opportunities for growth in higher education and social advancement in your region?

DG: India and South Asia at large, stand at the crossroads of a demographic dividend and a digital revolution. With nearly 90 crore Indians under the age of 35, the greatest opportunity for growth lies in using higher education as a lever for employability, innovation and equity.

Three areas of growth stand out prominently:

1. Digital and AI-driven Education: Preparing students for the future of work by embedding AI, cloud, quantum technologies and semiconductors into mainstream curricula.
2. Skill-Based and Industry-Integrated Programmes: Apprenticeship models like our Industrial Automation AEDP and partnerships with tech leaders bridge the gap between theory and practice.
3. Democratisation of Education: Extending quality higher education into rural and underserved communities ensures that opportunity is not limited by geography or socio-economic background.

At Galgotias University, we are leveraging all three areas. Our global tie-ups with universities in Singapore, Australia and Canada bring international exposure. Our Naari Utthan initiative empowers women in entrepreneurship and livelihood training. Our centres of excellence in semiconductors, AI and space sciences ensure that India’s youth can lead in industries critical to national progress.

Thus, the biggest opportunity is clear: using education not just to produce workers but to create leaders, innovators and changemakers who will drive India’s rise as a knowledge economy.

QS: If you could shape higher education in one key way to make it better, where would you focus and why?

DG: If I could shape higher education in one key way, I would radically focus on aligning curricula with future industries while embedding ethical values. Too often, universities prepare graduates for yesterday’s world, leaving them unprepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

The future of higher education must rest on ecosystem-based learning. This means academia, industry and government working together to co-create continuously updated curricula. Future skills in AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors and sustainability must sit alongside soft skills in leadership, communication and adaptability.

At Galgotias, we have already moved in this direction. We have transformed classrooms into active learning spaces, developed co-created programmes with IBM and Microsoft and built incubation hubs where students launch startups. We are also among the leading universities in patent filings in India, reflecting a culture of innovation.

But equally important is our commitment to values and ethics. Education must prepare students not just for jobs but for life. This is why our programmes emphasise Universal Human Values, civic responsibility and community engagement.

If higher education everywhere could achieve this balance of future-ready skills plus timeless values, it would create graduates who are not only employable but also equipped to lead with integrity and purpose.

QS: What are you most hopeful for or excited about in the future?

DG: I am most hopeful about the rise of India as a global education hub. With the reforms of NEP 2020, a large youth population and rapid digitalisation, India has the potential to not just educate its own citizens but to attract learners from across the globe.

I am excited by the transformative role of AI and digital technologies in higher education. Far from replacing teachers, AI will personalise learning, provide predictive analytics and democratise access to world-class knowledge. This opens up the possibility of truly inclusive, quality education at scale.

I am also inspired by the way universities are becoming innovation engines. At Galgotias, we are building research strengths in semiconductors, quantum technologies, clean energy and space sciences. Our Vision 2030 roadmap aims to place us among the world’s top 100 universities by 2047, aligning with India’s ambition to be a global knowledge leader.

Above all, I am hopeful about the next generation of students. They are creative, ambitious and deeply aware of global challenges. If guided well, they will not only thrive in Industry 4.0 but also bring compassion, ethics and sustainability to the heart of global progress.