Axis Bank and Ashoka University Strengthen Longstanding Partnership
Axis Bank has played a pivotal role in building a deeper, interdisciplinary and inclusive culture of scientific learning at Ashoka.
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Ashoka University and Axis Bank recently celebrated their longstanding partnership, which has played an important role in strengthening the University’s scientific ecosystem. As part of the occasion, Ashoka welcomed Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Bank, along with the bank’s senior leadership, for a special event on 15 September 2026.
Axis Bank has played a pivotal role in building a deeper, interdisciplinary and inclusive culture of scientific learning at Ashoka. Over the years, its support has expanded access to the sciences through scholarships, enhanced research infrastructure, faculty-led research, and PhD and postdoctoral programmes. The event brought together university leadership, researchers, faculty members and students to reflect on the partnership’s contributions and its potential to shape the future of scientific research in India.
Addressing the gathering, Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder & Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University, highlighted how successive grants have strengthened the foundations of scientific research at Ashoka, enabling work across areas such as cancer, sustainable energy storage, neuroscience, psychiatry and quantum dynamics.
One notable outcome of the partnership is Ashoka’s research on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which was selected as the only initiative from India for a WHO-IPSN catalytic grant. The partnership has also supported the development of advanced research facilities, including the Axis Bank Magnetic Characterization Lab in Physics, as well as programmes for doctoral scholars and postdoctoral fellows. Last year, the Axis Bank–Ashoka PhD and postdoctoral programme supported 101 PhD scholars and 13 postdoctoral fellows, with the number expected to exceed 150 this year.
At the event, Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Axis Bank, reaffirmed Axis Bank’s commitment to the partnership and highlighted the importance of investing in human capital, education and research.
He spoke about the role universities play in nurturing intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and the development of knowledge that can contribute to society.
A panel discussion titled Investing in Sciences: Strengthening Institutions for Scientific Excellence, moderated by Ashish Dhawan, Founding Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University, brought together Professor Gautam Menon, Professor of Physics and Biology’ Vijay Mulbagal, Group Executive- Wholesale Bank Coverage, Corporate Salary, Sustainility & CSR, Axis Bank; and Geeta Goel, Former MD, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, India to discuss the role of partnerships between universities, industry and philanthropy in building research capacity. The discussion explored how sustained investment can support scientific discovery and create opportunities to translate research into practical applications.
Looking ahead, Ashoka is placing greater emphasis on translational research and innovation. The University is developing an innovation ecosystem to help researchers take promising ideas beyond the laboratory, support entrepreneurship and build connections with industry. A proposed translational research programme will support selected research teams through focused investment and resources.
As Ashoka continues to advance its pursuit of excellence in science, this partnership remains an important part of that journey.
