The Class of 2028 at Ahmedabad University represents a diverse group of students from 21 Indian States and Union Territories, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, among others. Additionally, the University has drawn students from seven countries spanning the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and North America. Significantly, the incoming class also exhibits a healthy gender composition with 50 per cent of the students being women. The fact that less than 50 per cent of the students in the current class come from Ahmedabad points to the growing unique opportunities for learning and development offered by the University. What has attracted these students to Ahmedabad University?
"Transitioning from school to university was a big decision, especially moving from Assam to Ahmedabad. I was seeking exposure to a diverse community celebrating cultural differences while encouraging excellence both in academic and extracurricular activities. And Ahmedabad University offered exactly such a canvas”, says Vidisha Parakh from Silchar, Assam, who is pursuing her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at the University. “As a trained classical singer, I also wanted to nurture my passion for music while simultaneously pursuing serious academics. I believe I have found the perfect place to achieve this", affirms Vidisha.
Tanisha Kulkarni from Kuala Lampur, who is pursuing an Integrated Master of Science in Life Sciences, was convinced that she would pursue higher studies in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, her core high school courses. However, she also wanted to sustain her interest in psychology and tech-related subjects. The interdisciplinary curriculum structure afforded by the University has allowed Tanisha to blend technical knowledge and study of behavioural science with core biology, providing a refreshing change from the rigid structure often followed in other universities, particularly in life sciences. “This flexibility in choice of subjects offered by Ahmedabad University is the primary reason why I decided to embark on my academic journey here”, states Tanisha.
While one of the principal reasons for its popularity among incoming students stems from Ahmedabad University's core pedagogical principles rooted in interdisciplinarity, research, and experiential learning, many students have also been drawn to it because of its award-winning campus infrastructure and a robust university community that fosters an overall sense of belonging and wellbeing.
A state-level basketball player, Aarya Gadhecha, who is pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Management (Honours), says, "While academics are important for building a career, I also want to cultivate my passion for basketball. I had to take a break from the game during my board exams, but the University's remarkable facilities and focus on sports and wellness have rekindled my love for basketball. Add to this the bonus that the basketball coach and I have a long history, having played together in tournaments. I am beyond excited to be here and look forward to representing the University and winning championships for it”, he says enthusiastically.
Priyam Agarwal, who hails from Delhi, is an inspiration for many. Overcoming several learning disabilities, Priyam has decided to carry on the next phase of his higher education journey at Ahmedabad University. “The University's support programmes have played an instrumental role in my decision to pursue my studies here”, he says confidently.
The University’s objective of ensuring that no deserving student is deprived of an education for financial reasons is reflected in the fact that 34 per cent of the total intake of students in the incoming class have been granted need-based or merit scholarships.
Vineet Prajapati from Raipur in Chhattisgarh, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science, is the recipient of the most prestigious merit-based Mahatma Gandhi Scholar Programme. A self-confessed design enthusiast, Vineet is excited about the prospect of taking forward his start-up pertaining to an in-silico health prediction model for serious diseases like cancer and heart ailments at the University’s VentureStudio. “The Professors at the University have been very receptive to my ideas and have promised to guide my research”, he asserts.
Pointing out that he had opportunities for pursuing studies in international universities in the USA, UK, and Singapore, Vineet shares that he chose to come to Ahmedabad University due to its reputation for encouraging experimentation, inquiry, and enterprise. He says that he is looking forward to joining the University’s Entrepreneurship Club while also pursuing minors in arts and design. Having earlier undertaken research internships in projects related to bio-specific algorithms and tissue slides, among other things, Vineet is ideally placed to benefit from the technology and research initiatives at the University.
As regards financial aid, the University is collaborating with NGOs like the Karta Initiative to identify and support students from underprivileged communities, opening up pathways for their social mobility and academic accomplishment. Many of the recipients of these need-based scholarships in the Class of 2028 are first-generation learners, who will doubtless benefit from the opportunity to overcome financial challenges. This year, Ahmedabad University has admitted as many as 31 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) students as Karta Scholars, providing them scholarships to ensure 100 per cent support, including housing and dining. One of the beneficiaries of the JNV scholarship scheme is Muddit Sharma, a Karta scholar from the small town of Doda in Kashmir, who dreams of improving the lives of the people in his hometown through education.
Muddit, a student of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics, remarks, "Terrorism has adversely affected the overall social fabric of Kashmir and compromised the quality of education in the region, hindering people's ability to grow and acquire knowledge.” Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to study at Ahmedabad University, he says, “Life here is different; people are friendly and respectful of cultural differences. The top-notch education at the University has inspired me to acquire limitless knowledge while honing my skills to be able to pursue a career in the administrative services in my home State. This will allow me to uplift the lives of people there, helping me to contribute to society", states Muddit, with hope gleaming in his eyes.
These stories showcase the aspirations and ambitions of the dynamic Class of 2028 at the University. We will continue to trace their paths of learning and growth as they traverse their educational journey over the next four years with the hope that they can epitomise the advice of the South African statesman and social activist, Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”