View source for Ashoka University

{{Short description|Private university in Haryana, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Ashoka University
 | image                  = Ashoka University logo with wordmark.png
 | image_size             = 
 | motto                  = 
 | established            = {{start date and age|2014}}
 | type                   = [[Private university|Private]]
 | endowment              = 
 | chancellor             = [[Rudrangshu Mukherjee]]
 | vice_chancellor        = [[Somak Raychaudhury]]
 | dean                   = 
 | academic_staff         = 200
 | students               = 4,500
 | undergrad              = 
 | postgrad               = 
 | city                   = [[Sonipat]]
 | state                  = [[Haryana]]
 | country                = India
 | campus_size            = {{Convert|25|acre|ha}}
 | colours                = Red & Blue {{Colour box|#C4122F}} {{Colour box|#0D3862}}
 | website                = {{official URL}}
 | logo                   = 
 | affiliations           = [[University Grants Commission (India)|UGC]], [[Association of Commonwealth Universities|ACU]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.acu.ac.uk/membership/acu-members/asia |title=Association of Commonwealth Universities Membars-Asia |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref>
}}

'''Ashoka University''' is a [[private university]] located in the [[National Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region (NCR)]], India, focusing on [[liberal education]] in [[Humanities]], [[Social Sciences]], and [[Natural science]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.financialexpress.com/healthcare/news-healthcare/myhealthcare-partners-with-ashoka-university-for-evidence-based-clinical-research/2566802/ | title=MyHealthcare partners with Ashoka University for evidence-based clinical research }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/education/ashoka-university-launches-long-term-study-on-zoonotic-disease-outbreaks-122062000863_1.html | title=Ashoka University launches long-term study on zoonotic disease outbreaks | newspaper=Business Standard India | date=20 June 2022 | last1=Umarji | first1=Vinay }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Pramath Raj Sinha at Ashoka University.jpg|thumb|Founder Pramath Raj Sinha at the convocation ceremony of Ashoka University]]
Ashoka University derives its name from Emperor [[Ashoka]] of India.<ref name="AU-FDay">{{cite web |last=Karia |first=Shubhangi |title=Ashoka University celebrates Founders' Day |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/stories/ashoka-university-celebrates-founders-day-159 |website=Ashoka University |access-date=21 December 2021 |language=en}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023}}</ref> The idea was generated when [[Sanjeev Bikhchandani]] and [[Ashish Dhawan]] approached the former [[Indian School of Business]] dean [[Pramath Raj Sinha]] for his help in setting up the university. The project was code-named Project Nobel,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gera |first=Ishaan |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/education-2/ashoka-university-takes-its-project-nobel-ahead-with-donation-for-centre-of-biosciences/1835652/ |title=Ashoka University takes its Project Nobel ahead with donation for Centre of Biosciences|date=27 January 2020|website=The Financial Express |language=en |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> referring to the founders' aspiration to produce future [[Nobel Prize]] laureates.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nair |first=Deepa |title= Ashoka, India's first liberal arts university, to open in August |website=The Hindu Business Line | url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/education/ashoka-indias-first-liberal-arts-university-to-open-in-august/article5953658.ece |date=7 April 2014}}</ref>

Initial discussions leaned towards setting up an institute of engineering and technology that could match the reputation of leading institutions in the field such as [[MIT]], the [[University of Pennsylvania]] and [[Stanford University]]. Ashoka's founders signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] with the [[University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science]]. The founders' list named 22 people, including [[Ashok Trivedi]], [[Dilip Shanghvi]], [[Nirmal Jain]], [[Sanjeev Bikhchandani]] and [[Jerry Rao]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/dilip-shanghvi-nirmal-jain-others-line-up-to-back-ashoka-university/articleshow/33756357.cms|title=Dilip Shanghvi, Nirmal Jain, others line up to back Ashoka University|first=Devina|last=Sengupta|date=15 April 2014|access-date=27 April 2018|newspaper=Economic Times}}</ref><ref name="AU-FDay" /> The list later grew to 46.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Ashoka expanded its focus to a [[liberal arts]] approach, providing instruction in the core sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ashoka University|publisher=Ashoka University | url = http://ashoka.edu.in/About-Us/Vision | access-date = 7 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Goyal |first=Malini |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League, promises 'world-class' liberal arts education|date=11 May 2014|website=Economic Times}}</ref> The decision was a result of both the industry demand as well as the desire to change the mindset of Indian students and parents.<ref>{{cite web | title = 47% of Graduates of 2013 Unemployable for Any Job: Study|publisher=The New Indian Express | url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/news/47-of-Graduates-of-2013-Unemployable-for-Any-Job-Study/2013/12/26/article1966550.ece | access-date = 26 December 2013}}</ref> Trivedi fortified this decision by setting up the Trivedi Centre for Political Data (TCPD) in partnership with the [[University of Michigan]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-michigan-university-partner-to-set-up-ashok-trivedi-centre-for-political-data/articleshow/51299277.cms|title=Ashoka University, Michigan University partner to set up Ashok Trivedi Centre for Political Data|last=Khosla|first=Varuni|date=8 March 2016|work=The Economic Times|access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref> In 2020, Ashoka University established the Trivedi School of Biosciences with virologist [[Shahid Jameel]] as the first director of the centre.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ashoka University appoints Dr Shahid Jameel as Director of Trivedi School of Biosciences |url=https://www.expresspharma.in/ashoka-university-appoints-dr-shahid-jameel-as-director-of-trivedi-school-of-biosciences/ |access-date=3 January 2022 |work=Express Pharma |date=10 August 2020}}</ref>

==Campus==
{{Panorama|image = Campus view.png|height= 300px|caption = Campus view of Ashoka University, India}}
Ashoka University's {{Convert|25|acre||abbr=|adj=on}} main campus is in the [[Rajiv Gandhi Education City]] in Sonepat, Haryana. It was designed by the American design firm [[Perkins Eastman]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Goyal|first=Malini|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/ashoka-university-indias-answer-to-the-ivy-league-promises-world-class-liberal-arts-education/articleshow/34936735.cms|title=Ashoka University: India's answer to the Ivy League, promises 'world-class' liberal arts education|date=11 May 2014|work=The Economic Times|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> led by architect [[Aaron Schwarz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perkinseastman.com/project_3409933_ashoka_university|title=Ashoka University|access-date=27 December 2018|website=Perkins Eastman}}</ref> In September 2021, the foundation stone was laid for a new 27-acre campus in Sonipat, expected to be operational by 2027, which will double the university's student capacity.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ashoka University to build new campus, double student capacity |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/ashoka-university-to-build-new-campus-double-student-capacity-7498028/ |access-date=3 January 2022 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=9 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Governance==
Ashoka University is funded entirely by donations, with no hierarchies present in the founding group in terms of decision-making. The founders were drawn to the idea of a university where no single individual held sway but whose administration would be driven by the potential for social change based on critical inquiry, free from political pressure.<ref name="FT-Ivy">{{cite news | title = Ivy League, Indian-style|newspaper=Financial Times |date=8 March 2018 | url = https://www.ft.com/content/b8fabc8c-1559-11e8-9c33-02f893d608c2 | access-date = 24 July 2018 |last=Kazmin |first=Amy}}</ref> In addition to the [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]], [[Vice-Chancellor|vice-chancellor]] and [[Dean (education)|dean]]s, Ashoka is guided by an academic council of academics and scholars. The council sets the university's academic standard, advising on matters of curriculum, faculty hiring, and research.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ashoka University |publisher=Ashoka University |url=http://ashoka.edu.in/about-us/Academic-Council |access-date=2 March 2014 |archive-date=28 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628215830/http://ashoka.edu.in/About-Us/Academic-Council }}</ref>

The first chancellor was [[Andre Beteille]], who served from 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Puri |first=Anjali |date=27 December 2014 |title=I haven't lost faith in democracy. It is here to stay...: Andre Beteille|work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/i-haven-t-lost-faith-in-democracy-it-is-here-to-stay-andre-beteille-114122700648_1.html |access-date=15 September 2021}}</ref> The first vice-chancellor was [[Rudrangshu Mukherjee]].<ref name=inuth>{{cite news |title=Academic Bhanu Prasad Mehta appointed Ashoka University's next vice chancellor |url=https://www.inuth.com/india/academic-bhanu-prasad-mehta-appointed-ashoka-universitys-next-vice-chancellor/ |access-date=3 January 2022 |work=InUth |date=4 May 2017}}</ref> In 2017 Beteille resigned, to be replaced by Mukherjee, and [[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]] was appointed vice-chancellor from July 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nanda |first1=Prashant K. |title=Pratap Bhanu Mehta to leave CPR, join Ashoka University as vice chancellor |url=https://www.livemint.com/Education/qGStfIK8i81MhiKAU8Dv6L/Pratap-Bhanu-Mehta-quits-CPR-to-join-Ashoka-University-as-v.html |access-date=3 January 2022 |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |date=4 May 2017 |language=en}}</ref> Mehta resigned in July 2019 and was replaced by [[Malabika Sarkar]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 July 2019 |title=Pratap Bhanu Mehta resigns as Ashoka University VC, former Presidency VC Malabika Sarkar to replace him |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/pratap-bhanu-mehta-resigns-as-ashoka-university-vc-ex-presidency-vc-malabika-sarkar-to-replace-him-1572121-2019-07-22 |access-date=27 November 2021|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> Sarkar stepped down on 1 January 2023 and was replaced by [[Somak Raychaudhury]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Basu |first=Sreeradha |title=Professor Somak Raychaudhury appointed Vice-Chancellor of Ashoka University |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/professor-somak-raychaudhury-appointed-vice-chancellor-of-ashoka-university/articleshow/95431134.cms |access-date=2023-01-01}}</ref>

==Academics==
===Undergraduate programme===
Ashoka University offers a multidisciplinary undergraduate programme, in the interest of exposing students to many different perspectives in and out of the classroom. Students are not expected to declare their Major until the middle of the second year.
Students enrolled at Ashoka University can choose their Major and Minor from various interdisciplinary options.<ref name="Ashoka.edu.in"> {{cite web | url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/academic-programme/undergraduate/ |title=Academics at Ashoka University |date=31 March 2023}}</ref>

===Young India Fellowship===
The Young India Fellowship (YIF), offered as a Postgraduate Diploma in Liberal Studies, is the signature programme at Ashoka University.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kalingatv.com/education/students-below-28-years-can-apply-for-ashoka-university-young-india-fellowship-2022-23/ | title=Students below 28 years can apply for Ashoka University Young India Fellowship 2022-23 | date=26 February 2022 }}</ref> The cohort now consists of 100 Fellows who come from diverse academic, professional, socio-economic, and geographical backgrounds. Within a year, they engage with diverse study, research and practice areas. Since 2011, the YIF has had over 1700 participants.<ref>{{cite web | title = Young India Fellowship|publisher=Ashoka University | url = https://yifp.in/Uploads/Brochure/YIF-Student-flyer.pdf | access-date = 30 June 2019 }}</ref> Its first graduating class included 57 Fellows, all of whom were provided with a full scholarship.<ref>{{cite web | title = Young India Fellowship|publisher=Ashoka University | url = http://yifp.in | access-date = 7 August 2014 }}</ref> The programme comprises eight terms of six weeks each, with up to four courses in each term. The Fellowship emphasizes writing, research, and experiential learning—in the form of an 8-month part-time Experiential Learning Module.<ref>{{cite web | title = Young India Fellowship|publisher=Ashoka University | url = https://yifp.in/Uploads/Brochure/YIF-Student-flyer.pdf | access-date = 30 June 2019 }}</ref> The application for the fellowship has an age restriction and it only allows students with maximum 28 years of age to apply for the program.<ref>{{cite web | title = Young India Fellowship|publisher=Ashoka University | url = https://yifp.in/StudentProfile.aspx | access-date = 7 August 2014 }}</ref>

===Masters programmes===
Ashoka University offers graduate programmes in the form of master's degree and Ph.D. programmes. Right now the master's degree programmes are offered in [[Economics]], [[English language|English]], and [[Liberal Studies]] as well as Ashoka Scholars Programme.<ref name="telegraphindia.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/edugraph/news/admissions-open-for-postgraduate-programmes-at-ashoka-university/cid/1849544 | title=Admissions open for postgraduate programmes at Ashoka University }}</ref> While a Ph.D. degree is offered in [[Biology]]; [[Chemistry]], [[Computer science|Computer Sciences]]; [[Economics]]; [[English language|English]]; [[History]]; [[Physics]]; [[Psychology]]; [[Sociology]] and [[Anthropology]]. Other short term programmes offered are the Young Scholars Programme, Summer Programmes and Ashoka X (Ashoka's virtual education initiative).<ref>{{cite web |title=Graduate Admissions |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/admissions/graduate-admissions/ |website=Ashoka University |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>

===Ph.D programme===
Ashoka University promotes interdisciplinary research and partnerships with industry and policy-makers. Students can register for Ph.D. programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Physics, Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ph.D. |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/academic-programme/ph-d/ |website=Ashoka University |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>

=== Chief Minister's Good Governance Associates (CMGGA) programme ===
The CMGGA programme is a collaboration between the Government of [[Haryana]] and Ashoka University.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Haryana govt ropes in young to boost good governance in state |work=The Asian age |url=https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/190318/haryana-govt-ropes-in-young-to-boost-good-governance-in-state.html}}</ref> The associates are trained, after which they are posted in each of the 22 districts of Haryana for 12 months. During their tenure, they represent the Chief Minister's Office and work closely with the Deputy Commissioner and district officials to drive changes at the highest and grassroots levels of the Government.<ref>{{Cite news |date= |title=Haryana Chief Minister inducts sixth cohort of CMGGA |work=The Statesman |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/haryana-chief-minister-inducts-sixth-cohort-cmgga-1502992656.html}}</ref>

===Admissions===
The undergraduate admission procedure includes an application form, an on-spot essay, an interview, and an aptitude objective test. Ashoka University's own admissions test is called the Ashoka Aptitude Test. It also accepts the [[SAT]], one of the first universities in India to do so. <ref>{{cite web | title = Ashoka University|publisher=Ashoka University website | url = https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/ug-admissions-40 | access-date = 24 July 2018 }}</ref> 
Ashoka University is a Founding Member institution of the India Global Higher Education Alliance, which addresses how admissions policies among Indian and non-Indian institutions influence access and equity in higher education.<ref>{{cite web | title = India Global Higher Education Alliance|publisher=College Board | url = https://international.collegeboard.org/global-alliance | access-date = 24 July 2018}}</ref>

==Reputation==
{{Infobox university rankings
| QS_Asia = 239/686 | QS_Asia_ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=Ashoka University |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/ashoka-university|website=QS World University Ranking 2022|access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref>
| QS_N = 26/116 | QS_N_ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=QS Asia University Rankings 2022 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2022|website=QS World University Ranking 2022|access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
}}

Ashoka University is known for scholarship in the international community.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/qs-asia-university-rankings-2022-ashoka-university-ranks-first-in-international-faculty-across-all-118-indian-varsities-p-1873420-2021-11-05#:~:text=QS%20Asia%20University%20Rankings%202022%3A%20Ashoka%20University%20has%20been%20ranked,118%20Indian%20universities%20this%20year.&text=Ashoka%20University%20has%20been%20ranked%20among%20the%20top%20five%20private,Symonds)%20Asia%20University%20Rankings%202022 | title=QS Asia University Rankings 2022: Ashoka University ranked first in 'International Faculty' across all 118 Indian varsities }}</ref> In 2017, the university was awarded 'University of the Year' (in existence for less than 10 years) and recognised for 'Excellence in Internationalization,' at the 4th Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Higher Education Excellence Awards 2017. 
In 2019, EducationWorld ranked Ashoka University 2nd in top 100 private universities in India. In September 2020, the Department of Economics<ref>{{cite web |title=Department of Economics |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/department/department-of-economics/ |website=Ashoka university |access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref> was ranked number 1 in India out of 239 Institutions (and 31st in Asia out of 1539 institutions) according to [[Research Papers in Economics]] (RePEc) - the international database of economics research which covers 8198 institutions and 60355 registered authors worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ashoka University's Economics Department ranked no. 1 |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/education/ashoka-universitys-economics-department-ranked-no-1-1502929648.html |access-date=13 June 2022 |work=The Statesman |date=15 October 2020}}</ref> Further in 2020, the World Digital Awards 2020 was awarded to Ashoka for Organisational Excellence in Education. The university was also among 12 universities to get E-Learning Excellence for Academic Digitisation (E-LEAD) certification from QS IAUGE. In the same year, the Economics Department of the university ranked at number 1 (#1 of 239 institutions) in India, and in the top 12.5% in Asia (at #31 of 1539 institutions), according to the international database RePEc, which covers 8198 institutions and 60355 registered authors worldwide. In the [[QS World University Rankings]] 2022, Ashoka was ranked in the Top 30 universities in India and the Top 250 universities in Asia.<ref>{{cite web |title=QS Asia University Rankings 2022 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2022|website=QS World University Ranking 2022|access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>

==Centres at Ashoka==
[[File:Ashoka University Campus.jpg|thumb|Ashoka University Campus]]
[[File:Ashoka University Library Building.png|thumb|Ashoka University Library Building]]
Ashoka University has established several centres to encourage research-oriented collaborations and create an exciting interdisciplinary environment at the university.<ref>{{cite web |title=Main Page |url=https://ashoka.edu.in/ |website=Ashoka University |access-date=3 January 2022 |language=en}} Click on "Centres".</ref>
* '''Ashoka Centre for Translation'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashoka Centre For Translation |url=https://translation.ashoka.edu.in/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The Ashoka Centre for Translation (ACT) functions under professors [[Rita Kothari]] and Arunava Sinha.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Scroll  Staff |title=Arunava Sinha wins Distinguished Translator Award 2022 at Jaipur Literature Festival |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1019381/arunava-sinha-wins-distinguished-translator-award-2022-at-jaipur-literature-festival |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref> The vision of the centre is to foster, nurture, and foreground India's multilingual ethos. The Ashoka Centre for Translation aims to engage in knowledge production and distribution through the vehicle of translation. The Ashoka Centre for Translation does not restrict itself to only English.  
* '''Ashoka Centre for Well-Being'''<ref>{{cite web |title=About the ACWB |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/ashoka-centre-for-being-well/ |website=Asoka Centre for Well-Being |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
Ashoka Centre for Well-Being (ACWB) was established in 2016 as a one-of-a-kind, non-aligned entity. It provides a safe space where students, staff, as well as faculty members of the university can access free and confidential counselling and psychological support. The Centre consists of professionally qualified queer affirmative counsellors, ushered by Arvinder J Singh, Founder-Director of the centre. The centre also aims to encourage good mental health by devising effective coping mechanisms through skill-building and awareness programmes<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-04 |title=Art installation on mental health awareness in Delhi |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/art-installation-on-mental-health-awareness-in-delhi/story-O4GUH4OwCrFIpSJLCWLQcL.html |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> so that individuals are well-equipped to deal with any turmoil that they face. 
* '''Centre for China Studies'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Ashoka Centre for China Studies (ACCS) |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/centre-for-china-studies/ |website=Ashoka Centre for China Studies (ACCS) |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
The Ashoka Centre for China Studies (ACCS) has been created with the vision of establishing China Studies as an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary area studies program with a strong commitment to disciplinary depth and language learning. It is spearheaded by Ambassador [[Shivshankar Menon]] while Professor [[Srinath Raghavan]] serves as the Faculty Advisor. One of the primary aims of the centre is to promote the growth of China studies and research in reputed Indian institutions. This is done through an in-depth course design, and programs such as the China India Visiting Scholars Fellowship,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-09-10 |title=Information on admissions, courses, partnerships, webinars and more |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/education/information-on-admissions-courses-partnerships-webinars-and-more/article36394339.ece |access-date=2022-07-21 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> China Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship, Mandarin Language Scholars Program, and Mandarin Language Teaching Program. 
* '''Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/centre-for-climate-change-and-sustainability/ |website=Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
Established in 2020 as the brainchild of the Vice Chancellor Professor [[Malabika Sarkar]],  the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability (3CS) is an interdisciplinary centre that brings together members with a shared interest in studying, communicating, and mitigating the effects of future climate change on our society, health, and environment. The Centre leverages the expertise of 28 faculty members from across 9 departments, including Gautam Menon,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gautam I Menon {{!}} The Institute of Mathematical Sciences |url=https://www.imsc.res.in/gautam_i_menon |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.imsc.res.in}}</ref> [[Iain Stewart (geologist)|Iain Stewart]], [[Srinath Raghavan|Srinath Raghvan]], [[Sumana Roy]], [[L. S. Shashidhara|L.S. Shashidhara]] among many other notable names. It aims to spread awareness, foster research and advocacy<ref>{{Cite news |last=Umarji |first=Vinay |date=2022-06-20 |title=Ashoka University launches long-term study on zoonotic disease outbreaks |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/education/ashoka-university-launches-long-term-study-on-zoonotic-disease-outbreaks-122062000863_1.html |access-date=2022-07-21}}</ref> on pertinent issues of climate change and sustainability.

One of the key programs of the centre is the 3CS Media Fellowship.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-12 |title=3CS Fellowship for climate change reporting: Applications are open |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/3cs-fellowship-climate-change-reporting-applications-are-open-161851 |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> It has been designed to support climate journalism from marginalized members of the society, geographically or otherwise, who are most affected by climate change.  
* '''Centre for Economic Data and Analysis'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://ceda.ashoka.edu.in/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=CEDA |language=en-US}}</ref>
The Centre for Economic Data and Analysis (CEDA) at Ashoka University is established by the Economics Department with [[Ashwini Deshpande]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venkataramakrishnan |first=Rohan |title=Interview: Ashwini Deshpande on the need for Indian economists to grapple with discrimination |url=https://scroll.in/article/1005644/interview-ashwini-deshpande-on-the-need-for-indian-economists-to-grapple-with-discrimination |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Himanshi |last=Dhawan |date=February 6, 2022 |title=Why women in Punjab, Haryana are living longer than those in Andhra, Karnataka |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/why-women-in-punjab-haryana-are-living-longer-than-those-in-andhra-karnataka/articleshow/89371572.cms |access-date=2022-07-21 |newspaper=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> serving as its Director. CEDA works to facilitate informed debate about economic and social developments in India. The centre also generates content in the form of blogs, research papers, policy briefs, and social and economic commentaries<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |date=2022-06-02 |title=Ashoka University develops Daily Food Price Index to track food inflation |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/ashoka-university-develops-daily-food-price-index-to-track-food-inflation-122060201040_1.html |access-date=2022-07-21}}</ref> among other things. One of the primary aims of CEDA is to make data accessible to the concerned stakeholders. For this purpose, CEDA has created a public data repository<ref>{{Cite web |title=Data Portal Landing Page |url=https://ceda.ashoka.edu.in/data-portal-landing-page/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=CEDA |language=en-US}}</ref> along with an interactive visualization toolkit. This is extensively used by researchers, journalists,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhardwaj |first=Ankur |date=2022-02-28 |title=India saw a 30% decrease in jobs for young people since 2016. Here's why |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/india-saw-a-30-decrease-in-jobs-for-young-people-since-2016-heres-why/851387/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> policymakers, students, and others.
* '''Centre for Entrepreneurship'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Centre for Entrepreneurship Team |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/centre-for-entrepreneurship-team/ |website=Ashoka University |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
Ashoka University has always been proactive in encouraging its entrepreneurial minds. To this end, the InfoEdge Centre for Entrepreneurship with support from the founders and under Priyank Narayan functions as the creative hub that nurtures entrepreneurial endeavors. It has a set of experts who provide relevant mentorship. The center is multidisciplinary in its approach, existing at the cusp of Liberal Arts and Entrepreneurship, the result of which is a community of Entrepreneurs working in a wide range of sectors spanning from the mainstream to the niche sectors. It holds events like Startup Ashoka, Ashoka Pillar Award,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-20 |title=Ashoka Pillar Award given to young talent for their solutions to tackle the worsening air quality |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/books-education/ashoka-pillar-award-given-young-talent-solutions-tackle-worsening-air-quality-1502687069.html |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=The Statesman |language=en-US}}</ref> AIM Smart City Accelerator among others. 
* '''Centre for Interdisciplinary Archaeological Research'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Centre for Interdisciplinary Archaeological Research |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/centre-for-interdisciplinary-archaeological-research/ |website=Ashoka University |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
The Centre for Interdisciplinary Archaeological Research (CIAR) at Ashoka University, is the first of its kind in India. The faculty membership is spread across departments with names such as [[Nayanjot Lahiri]], Kritika M. Garg,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. Kritika Garg – Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology |url=https://www.ibab.ac.in/research/dr-kritika-garg/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |language=en}}</ref> Shibani Bose, [[Alok Bhattacharya]] and [[Upinder Singh]]. The Centre aims to bridge the gap between the sciences and archaeology and use that interdisciplinarity to facilitate novel opinions that will deepen the study of the Indian past. This would also aid the Centre in designing course pedagogy and initiate research<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashoka University: Leading Liberal Arts and Sciences University |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/exploring-the-genomic-diversity-of-remote-islands-using-ancient-dna/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.ashoka.edu.in}}</ref> that utilizes perspectives from both sciences and humanities. To achieve this, the centre has also launched fellowships<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashoka University: Leading Liberal Arts and Sciences University |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/ashoka-fellowships-in-ancient-and-medieval-indian-history-archaeology-funded-by-anupa-sahney/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.ashoka.edu.in}}</ref> in ancient and medieval Indian history/archaeology. 
* '''Centre for Social and Behaviour Change'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Centre for Social and Behaviour Change |url=https://csbc.org.in/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 April 2022 |website=Centre for Social and Behaviour Change}}</ref>
Founded by Ashoka University and supported by the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation|Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation]] (BMGF), the Centre for Social and Behavior Change (CSBC) drives behavioral change measures for people and communities in need. The center is led by Dr Pavan Mamidi and Dr Sharon Barnhardt. It aims to advance the science and practice of behavior changes, harnessing cross-disciplinary expertise in the areas of nutrition, sanitation, maternal health, family planning, and financial services. In 2019, the [[NITI Aayog]] partnered with  CSBC and BMGF to institute an embedded Behavioral Insights Unit for India and introduce a novel paradigm of behaviorally-informed policy design and implementation in the country. Since then, CSBC has partnered with the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to set up Behavioral Insights Units in UP and Bihar.<ref>{{Cite news |last=ANI |date=2020-06-26 |title=Niti Aayog launches behaviour change campaign 'navigating the new normal' |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/niti-aayog-launches-behaviour-change-campaign-navigating-the-new-normal-120062502223_1.html |access-date=2022-07-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=State Behavioural Insights Units, Centre for Social and Behaviour Change |url=https://csbc.org.in/state-biu.php |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Centre for Social and Behaviour Change |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy'''<ref>{{cite web |title=About CSIP |url=https://csip.ashoka.edu.in/ |website=Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
The Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy (CSIP) was instituted in 2016, through the efforts of Ingrid Srinath,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-21 |title=Apart from Azim Premji, nobody is really giving till it hurts, says Ingrid Srinath |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/economy/apart-from-azim-premji-nobody-is-really-giving-till-it-hurts-says-ingrid-srinath-4732121.htm |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=cnbctv18.com |language=en}}</ref> who serves as the center's Director. It is the country's first academic center that aims to drive increased social impact through a strategic and robust model of philanthropy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=BL New Delhi |date=2021-12-25 |title=Re-examination of tax incentives to encourage philanthropy urgently required: CSIP Director |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/re-examination-of-tax-incentives-to-encourage-philanthropy-urgently-required-csip-director/article38036286.ece |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.thehindubusinessline.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=A study pitches for reintroduction of wealth tax to address inequality |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/a-study-pitches-for-reintroduction-of-wealth-tax-to-address-inequality/articleshow/88549599.cms |access-date=2022-07-21}}</ref> Through its research and knowledge products, convening and facilitation opportunities, and leadership development programs, CSIP is cultivating a stronger civil society for a vibrant and equitable India. The Mother Teresa Fellowship,<ref>{{Cite web |last=manku |first=Moyna |date=2016-11-18 |title=A fellowship that helps create agents of change |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/kML0ymLXAPIyiLDtKD9QaM/A-fellowship-that-helps-create-agents-of-change.html |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=An |first=Shelly |title=The Mother Teresa Fellowship is for those who possess the willpower and intent to create an impact in the development sector. |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20160620-fuelled-by-passion-the-mother-teresa-fellowship-amit-chandra-829054-2016-06-10 |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> inaugurated in 2012, is now an integral part of the center. It is a values-based early career fellowship for Ashoka University graduates who want to develop their footing in the field of social impact.
* '''Centre for Studies in Gender and Sexuality'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Sex/Ed |url=https://csgs.ashoka.edu.in/sex-ed/ |website=Centre for Studies in Gender and Sexuality |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
Established in the formative years of Ashoka University in 2015, the Centre for Studies in Gender and Sexuality (CSGS) is one of the Centres of Excellence and is the first of its kind in India. With Professor Madhavi Menon<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-17 |title=Madhavi Menon Wants Us To Embrace Ambiguity {{!}} Verve Magazine |url=https://www.vervemagazine.in/people/madhavi-menon-wants-us-to-embrace-ambiguity |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.vervemagazine.in |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='We Have Rich Histories of Desire in India': An Interview With Madhavi Menon |url=https://thewire.in/books/madhavi-menon-india-desire-interview |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bahuguna |first=Urvashi |title=Interview: 'Desire is never straightforward. In fact, there is nothing straight about desire at all' |url=https://scroll.in/article/881592/interview-desire-is-never-straightforward-in-fact-there-is-nothing-straight-about-desire-at-all |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref> as its director, the primary aim of the centre is to broaden the discourse that currently exists around gender and sexuality, through scholarship and activism. This spectrum includes issues of inequality, fantasy, desire, pleasure, identity, and politics that are key realities of our everyday lives. The Centre organizes several events such as a speaker series, student seminars, workshops, performances, and film screenings to initiate discussions around topics that are considered taboo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashoka University organises CSGS Mehfil on 6th anniversary, talks about queer representation in India over the years |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2021/aug/16/ashoka-university-organises-csgs-mehfil-on-6thanniversary-talksabout-queer-representation-in-india-over-the-years-2345266.html |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
* '''Centre for Writing and Communication'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Centre for Writing and Communication |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/centre-for-writing-and-communication/ |website=Ashoka University |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
The Centre for Writing and Communication (CWC) is the largest centre at Ashoka University working closely with the vibrant academic community to develop critical thinking, writing, and communication skills. Kanika Singh<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-15 |title=Walking around Delhi sites that tell the story of 1857 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/walking-around-delhi-sites-that-tell-the-story-of-1857/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> is the Director of the centre with Jyotirmoy Talukdar as Senior Writing Fellow (English Language Teaching), Neerav Dwivedi<ref name="Kanungo">{{Cite web |last=Kanungo |first=Neerav Dwivedi,Uday |title=From Mahasweta Devi's Draupadi to James Joyce's Ulysses: How the censors misread literature |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2021/10/29/from-mahasweta-devis-draupadi-to-james-joyces-ulysses-how-the-censors-misread-literature |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Newslaundry}}</ref> as Senior Writing Fellow and Senjuti Chakraborti, Archishman Sarker and Vrinda Chopra as Senior Writing Tutors, Ipsita Herlekar, Sonakshi Srivastava, Vinky Mittal, Sampurna Dutta among others as Writing Tutors. It works with not only the entire student body but also with the faculty, staff, and other centres. The Centre itself is very academically diverse with a spirited team consisting of scholars, professionals, writers, and researchers whose combined expertise actively contributes to the interdisciplinary engagement at Ashoka University.

* '''The Centre for the Creative and the Critical'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashoka University: Leading Liberal Arts and Sciences University |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/the-centre-for-the-creative-and-the-critical-ccc/ |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.ashoka.edu.in}}</ref>

The Centre’s purpose is to provide a forum in which to raise and address questions to do with both creative practice and critical argument. In bringing together novelists, poets, translators, artists, scholars, filmmakers, journalists and publishers with different traditions and histories from all over the world, the Centre will foster intercultural and ‘extra-disciplinary’ discussions about creative practice in ways that have become impossible in professionalised settings, such as the academic conference, or in market-driven ones, such as the literary festival. The highly-regarded symposia in the 'literary activism' series and the website, [https://www.literaryactivism.com/ literaryactivism.com], will continue to be an important part of the Centre’s activities. So will new courses, talks, and events, including 'Is There a Modern Indian Literature?', co-hosted by The Oxford Research Centre for the Humanities. The Director of the Centre is [[Amit Chaudhuri]], and its team includes [[Saikat Majumdar]] and [[Sumana Roy]].
* '''Science Policy Initiative'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Science Policy Initiative |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/page/science-policy-initiative/ |website=Ashoka University |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
Established in 2019, the Science Policy Initiative (SPI) at Ashoka University aims to expedite the framing of evidence-based policies to address societal problems. Under the guidance of [[L. S. Shashidhara|L.S. Shashidhara]] and Anjali Taneja,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-09 |title=Focus on policies to encourage made in India drugs against rare diseases |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/public-health/focus-on-policies-to-encourage-made-in-india-drugs-against-rare-diseases-101646814609846.html |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> the centre is involved in creating the right environment<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashoka University: Leading Liberal Arts and Sciences University |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/ashoka-universitys-efforts-in-science-policy-making-a-headway/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.ashoka.edu.in}}</ref> for policy research<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-15 |title=Strengthening Supply-Chain Networks during a pandemic: A Consortia-driven Approach is the right policy for India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/strengthening-supply-chain-networks-during-a-pandemic-a-consortia-driven-approach-is-the-right-policy-for-india-6410659/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> and capability building through active support and expert leadership. One of the larger goals of SPI is to augment scientific research and innovation and to serve as a knowledge hub, initiating discussions on issues and defining the roadmap for the future with the help of evidence-based white papers and policy briefs along with partnerships and collaborations. 
* '''Trivedi Centre for Political Data'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Trivedi Centre for Political Data |url=https://tcpd.ashoka.edu.in/ |website=Ashoka University |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>
The Trivedi Centre for Political Data (TCPD) is a joint venture between the departments of Political Science and Computer Science at Ashoka University, with professors Gilles Verniers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gilles Verniers |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/author/gilles-verniers |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gilles Verniers Blog |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/author/gilles-verniers/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Times of India Blog |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gilles Verniers {{!}} Scroll.in |url=https://scroll.in/author/432 |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Gilles Verniers |language=en}}</ref> and Sudheendra Hangal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hangal |first=Gilles Verniers & Sudheendra |title=Opinion: It's futile to blame political parties for using data manipulators like Cambridge Analytica |url=https://scroll.in/article/874177/opinion-its-futile-to-target-political-actors-for-using-data-manipulators-like-cambridge-analytica |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref> serving as its co-directors. TCPD aims at promoting data-driven research, policy work, and journalism on India's political life by producing and disseminating in open access scientifically collected and treated political data and also refining the quality of existing public data by developing web-based tools adapted to Indian data. The larger goal of TCPD is to become a reference source of political data and contribute to more empirical research, news coverage, and opinions about Indian politics.

==Institutional collaborations==
[[File:Ashoka University Snapshot.jpg|thumb|Ashoka University Snapshot]]
Ashoka University has a number of international institutional collaborations with global university partners including [[UPENN|UPenn]], [[University of Michigan|UMIchigan]], [[Yale University|Yale]], [[Duke University|Duke]], [[King's College London]], [[HEC Paris]], [[Sciences Po|SciencesPo Paris]] and many others.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/international-partners/ | title=Ashoka University: Leading Liberal Arts and Sciences University }}</ref> Faculty exchange, student exchange, and plans for collaborative programmes with international partners are a recognition of Ashoka's position.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/study-abroad-experiences-from-students/ | title=Ashoka University: Leading Liberal Arts and Sciences University }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/ashoka-sends-prof-maya-saran-as-the-first-faculty-to-amherst-college-usa/ | title=Ashoka University: Leading Liberal Arts and Sciences University }}</ref>

The university has accelerated its growth story and has signed MoUs with leading institutions around the globe. The [[University of Cambridge]] and Ashoka University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in recognition of their mutual interest in promoting and furthering academic links between the two institutions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://indiaeducationdiary.in/ashoka-university-signs-mou-with-university-of-cambridge/ | title=Ashoka University signs MoU with University of Cambridge | date=18 December 2021 }}</ref> The Office of Global Education and Strategic Programmes (GESP) at Ashoka University signed a MoU with [[National University of Singapore]] (NUS) in January 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.highereducationdigest.com/ashoka-university-and-national-university-of-singapore-nus-sign-mou-to-promote-academic-and-research-collaboration-2/ | title=Ashoka University and National University of Singapore (NUS) sign MoU to promote academic and research collaboration | date=10 March 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/education/information-on-courses-admissions-and-other-events-from-schools-and-colleges/article65225383.ece | title=News from world of education: March 15, 2022 | newspaper=The Hindu | date=15 March 2022 }}</ref>

Ashoka University has also joined a consortium of five [[Indian Institutes of Technology]] (IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Jodhpur and IIT BHU, Varanasi) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with [[University at Buffalo]], The State University of New York.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2022/05/013.html | title=UB, Indian universities sign historic MOU during nanomaterials workshop }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/education/information-and-news-on-admissions-courses-and-other-education-events-from-schools-and-colleges/article65456475.ece | title=News from the world of education: May 24, 2022 | newspaper=The Hindu | date=24 May 2022 }}</ref> The objective of this partnership is to establish a multiparty collaborative framework for long-term multi-institutional and international collaboration in educational and research fields. The research focus will be nanomaterials and nanotechnology, biotechnology, advanced sensors, photonics and cyber-physical systems including artificial intelligence. Ashoka University has further entered into a MoU with [[Max Healthcare]] Institute to initiate long-term, high-quality research collaborations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.livemint.com/education/news/ashoka-university-max-healthcare-sign-mou-to-study-complex-diseases-read-here-11652179285620.html | title=Ashoka University, Max Healthcare sign MoU to study complex diseases. Read here | date=10 May 2022 }}</ref> The collaboration aims to build a joint research program on genome analysis and data analysis that will include AI, ML and deep learning of various genetic and life-style diseases.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/ashoka-varsity-hospital-sign-mou-394342 | title=Ashoka University, Max hospital sign MoU }}</ref>

==Notable academics==

===Arts and Humanities===
[[File:UrvashiButalia.jpg|thumb|right|[[Urvashi Butalia]]|150px]]
[[File:Writer Saikat Majumdar.jpg|thumb|right|[[Saikat Majumdar]]|150px]]
* [[Urvashi Butalia]] – feminist writer and publisher
* [[Amit Chaudhuri]] – novelist
* [[Navtej Johar]] – dancer, choreographer and yoga exponent
* [[Rita Kothari]] – author and translator
* [[Clancy Martin]] – philosopher
* [[Saikat Majumdar]] – novelist
* [[Janice Pariat]] – poet and writer
* [[Sumana Roy]] – poet and writer

===Social science===
[[File:Gopalkrishna Gandhi - Chatham House 2010.jpg|thumb|right|[[Gopalkrishna Gandhi]]|150px]]
* [[Pulapre Balakrishnan]] – economist
* [[Amita Baviskar]] – environmental sociologist
* [[Nayan Chanda]] – political scientist
* [[Ashwini Deshpande]] – economist
* [[Gopalkrishna Gandhi]] – politician; historian
* [[Sunil Khilnani]] – political scientist
* [[Nayanjot Lahiri]] – historian
* [[Srinath Raghavan]] – historian
* [[Upinder Singh]] – historian
* [[Aparna Vaidik]] – historian

===Science===
* [[Anurag Agrawal (medical scientist)|Anurag Agrawal]] – medical scientist, pulmonologist<ref>{{cite web |title=Ashoka University appoints Dr. Anurag Agrawal, Former Director CSIR IGIB, as Dean of Biosciences and Health Research |url=https://www.ashoka.edu.in/ashoka-university-appoints-dr-anurag-agrawal-former-director-csir-igib-as-dean-of-biosciences-and-health-research/ |website=Ashoka University |access-date=14 June 2022}}</ref>
* [[Rajendra Bhatia]] – mathematician
* [[Alok Bhattacharya]] – parasitologist
* [[Sudha Bhattacharya]] – parasitologist
* [[Sourav Pal]] – theoretical chemist
* [[L. S. Shashidhara]] – developmental biologist, geneticist

==Controversies==
In October 2016, a faculty member, Rajendran Narayanan, and two other employees resigned; it was alleged by the Faculty Council that they were asked to resign because they signed a petition on Kashmir, something the university denies.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chopra |first1=Ritika |title=Firing of professor will hurt Ashoka, says university faculty body as three staff exit over Kashmir petition |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/firing-of-professor-will-hurt-ashoka-says-university-faculty-body-as-three-staff-exit-over-kashmir-petition-4548903/ |access-date=25 March 2021 |website=Indian Express |date=1 March 2017}}</ref> Narayanan believes he was targeted because he was also organising a Workers' Welfare Committee for all campus staff.<ref>{{cite news |last=Narayanan |first=Rajendran |title=Dismantling the labyrinth: What I learnt about power and privilege when I quit Ashoka in 2016 |url=https://scroll.in/article/990333/dismantling-the-labyrinth-what-i-learnt-about-power-and-privilege-when-i-quit-ashoka-in-2016 |access-date=25 March 2021 |website=Scroll |date=24 March 2021}}</ref>

In March 2021, two faculty members, [[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]] (formerly the VC of the university) and [[Arvind Subramanian]], resigned within days of each other, alleging a curbing of academic freedom in the university.<ref name=TheHindu>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arvind-subramanian-resigns-from-ashoka-university-after-pb-mehtas-exit/article34097686.ece|title=Arvind Subramanian resigns from Ashoka University after P.B. Mehta's exit|date=18 March 2021|website=The Hindu|language=en |access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref> Mehta has been an open advocate of liberalism, speaking openly about the 'Death of liberalism' under the [[Narendra Modi]] Government.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh |first=Nandita |url=https://theprint.in/india/5-reasons-why-liberalism-is-dead-according-to-pratap-bhanu-mehta/260504/|title=5 reasons why 'liberalism is dead' according to Pratap Bhanu Mehta |date=9 July 2019 |website=ThePrint |language=en |access-date=9 July 2019}}</ref> He resigned from Ashoka University in March 2021, when trustees [[Pramath Raj Sinha]] and [[Ashish Dhawan]] are said to have told him that his "intellectual interventions were something they could no longer protect."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chopra |first1=Ritika |title=Founders made clear I was political liability for Ashoka University: Pratap Bhanu Mehta |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pratap-bhanu-mehta-resignation-letter-ashoka-university-7234669/ |access-date=19 March 2021 |publisher=Indian Express |date=19 March 2021}}</ref> This was followed by protests from students and faculty, who alleged that Mehta's views on the Modi administration might have drawn pressure internally, leading him to resign.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chowdhury |first=Archis |url=https://www.boomlive.in/fact-file/pratap-bhanu-mehta-resignation-ashoka-university-student-faculty-protest-12400|title=Bhanu Pratap Mehta's Exit Upsets Ashoka University Students & Faculty |date=18 March 2021 |website=Boom |language=en |access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref> But the Vice Chancellor denied that<ref name=TheHindu />

== See also ==
* [[List of universities in India]]
* [[List of institutions of higher education in Haryana]]
* [[List of private universities in India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

*[http://www.ashoka.edu.in Official website]

{{Coord|28.9468|77.1016|type:edu_region:IN|display=title}}
{{Universities in Haryana}}
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[[Category:Ashoka University]]
[[Category:Sonipat district]]
[[Category:Universities in Haryana]]
[[Category:Private universities in India]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 2014]]
[[Category:2014 establishments in Haryana]]