On Higher Education Ecosystems and the importance to embed non-formal education projects into formal education: an interview with Ms Kala ANAND from Krea University

An interview by Ginisha DEWANI

Krea University partnered with the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) on the 23rd ASEF Summer University (ASEFSU23) on “Liveable Cities for a Sustainable Future”. ASEFSU23 was a 3-month long interdisciplinary Hackathon in 2022 that attracted over 80 youth participants from 39 countries across Asia and Europe. Participants had to find digital solutions to key urban challenges in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Ms Kala Anand, then Director of Communications, Partnerships and Career Services at the university, led KREA’s engagement in ASEFSU23. Ms Ginisha Dewani, ASEFEdu alumni, interviewed Ms Anand to find out more about KREA’s interest in the project and how universities can contribute to create a larger impact on the local community level.

Ginisha Dewani: As a young and private university in India, what vision does your institution cherish?

Kala Anand: At Krea we endeavour to build on a mutually strong framework and based on four pillars: competency, curriculum, community and career. We engage in collaborations that impact us under these broad pillars. With reference to the ASEF Summer University, this alliance is key to us with respect to creating a sustainable community together and also build a sensitised human capital.

Ginisha: What has been your general feedback or overview about the ASEF Hackathon?

Kala: ASEFSU has bought inspiring narratives from different countries. It was well curated and inclusive, open to ideas from everybody giving a sense of creation and imagination. The Hackathon has bought diverse ambitions together and connected youth from about 40 countries. Since the project’s inception, the core ambitions were reflected and visible at every stage of its execution. It is important to know that it has been a combination of bringing information and creative ideas together.

Ginisha: Universities in cities are often described as connecting institutions or as a bridge to work together with local, national, or international partners. The impact they bring is going beyond campus boundaries. Being a pioneer educational institute, what message or key learning do you wish to share with young minds?

Kala: Universities are more than degree granting or qualification centres. They create a very robust knowledge ecosystem that develops solutions to future problems. Universities are central to nurture future talent, engage in impactful research and contribute towards a sustainable future. As emerging centres of linking diverse groups of stakeholders and tackling the SDGs, they help to create ideas for unimaginable challenges.

Ginisha: What can education/youth projects like ASEFSU23 contribute to SDG11 and why are non-formal projects like ASEFSU23 important to complement formal education?

Kala: A true education system is one that equips the human mind to develop sustainable solutions to any problem. Non-formal education programmes like ASEFSU are less constrained by structures. They offer a space where ideas are free flowing and young minds come together with ease to collaborate. This setting brings people from diverse cultures, nationalities, academic backgrounds, and work spheres together to develop solutions that embrace global perspectives. Formats like this are fantastic and should continue.

Ginisha: What core mantra would you like to share with the young community/young participants of Hackathon?

Kala: Choose to be part of a robust knowledge ecosystem — one which gives you opportunities to challenge status quo and engage with diverse stakeholders and drives you towards problem solving through a process of critical thinking. This will open your mind to understand the challenges of tomorrow, to ideate, debate and present your perspectives. Krea is a young university and sits within such a robust knowledge ecosystem — one that works in close collaboration with industry, think tanks, government and research institutions. For instance, our research centres are doing ground-breaking work in women entrepreneurship, female hygiene, financial inclusion etc. at grassroots level and creating impact in multiple regions of India. The University is located in close proximity to Pulicat Lake (second largest brackish water lake in India)– a setting that allows us to embed our research of the region, across environment, economics and society. It is important that young students choose such universities that give them the space to challenge oneself, explore the interconnectedness of global systems, and contribute to impactful research for innovative solutions.

Ms Kala ANAND comes with significant experience, working in strategic roles at major international private education companies and government organizations. Through her 15+ year senior professional tenure, she has provided advisory services to international universities and government agencies enabling them to expand their global footprint, and forge sustainable partnerships. She has developed collaboration and linkages for academic institutions, with corporate organisations, government bodies, school networks and research organisations across South Asia, Southeast Asia and Middle East regions. Kala holds an MBA (PGDBA) from SPJIMR India and a professional diploma in Digital Marketing from DMI Ireland.

Ms Ginisha DEWANI is currently completing her doctoral study on Urban Governance and Sustainability at Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, India, and is also working as a researcher at the National Centre for Urban Affairs, India. She teaches Public Policy, Indian Constitution and World Affairs at her doctoral university. She had the opportunity of working with students and support in designing the required course curriculum. She has worked at the city level with local officials for urban development projects. Ginisha previously worked at the British Council as a Manager of Arts for South India Project which promoted project-based collaborations between the UK and India. She is academically driven towards Public Policy, Local Governance, Development Studies and International Relations. She was awarded the gold medal for excelling in her graduate studies and was ranked holder in her Master’s in Public Administration program.

NOTE:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely by the author(s) and do not represent that of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)​.
Copyright © 2022.