Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
A collaborative initiative between Ashoka University and Iron Pillar
Learn More
About the Initiative
The Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning (IGL) is a joint effort between Ashoka University and Iron Pillar to build a forward-looking platform for global academic engagement, interdisciplinary learning, and research collaboration. Emerging from recent discussions with faculty leadership and partners, the initiative is envisioned as a platform that brings together leading scholars, institutions, and industry actors to foster sustained intellectual exchange, collaborative research, and transformative student experiences.
VISION
To build an ecosystem that nurtures leaders capable of bridging disciplines, translating complex knowledge into impactful decisions, and shaping institutions, ideas, and innovations.
IGL aspires to become a national and global reference point for leadership rooted not only in technical competence but also in cultural understanding, scientific literacy, and civic responsibility.
Core Objectives
At its core, the IGL Initiative seeks to advance three interlinked objectives.
It aims to reinforce Ashoka’s academic foundations by integrating global perspectives into teaching, research, and student experiences.
It will bring leading academicians, researchers, and practitioners into sustained engagement with the Ashoka community, moving beyond one-time interactions toward deeper, programmatic collaborations.
The initiative will enable structured pathways for student mobility, collaborative research, and cross-border intellectual exchange, ensuring that global exposure translates into tangible academic and professional outcomes.
The Inaugural Iron Pillar Lecture
Delivered by Dr. Michael A. Spence — Nobel Laureate in Economics and Dean Emeritus, Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Portfolio of Projects and Partnerships
India-Japan Economic Corridor Report
Report Launch in Tokyo
The Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning (IGL) at Ashoka University is developing a flagship report on the India–Japan Economic Corridor. The report will examine opportunities across technology, financial services, infrastructure, and the broader Indo–Pacific economic landscape, with a focus on actionable insights and real-world experience.
Leadership and Humankind’s Incredible Journey to the Moon
Publication Partnership
Cooperation to support the translation of the book manuscript, Not Because It’s Easy: About Humankind’s Incredible Journey to the Moon, by Dr. Henrik Syse and Jenny Helene Syse, published by Cappelen Damm. The partnership is intended to support the translation of the manuscript and to promote broader academic engagement with the work.
Global Investments, Geopolitics, and Leadership
Archish Mittal, Shivshankar Menon, & Olaug Svarva
Global Investments, Geopolitics, and Leadership is a one-week intensive elective that examines how global capital is deployed, governed, and contested in complex environments. The course moves between three levels of analysis: investment decision-making, geopolitical context, and leadership under uncertainty.
Students will study the evolution of responsible investing, ESG integration, portfolio construction, sovereign wealth and institutional capital, geopolitical risk, foreign direct investment, and the role of leadership judgement in moments when there are no clean answers. The course is deliberately cross-disciplinary and is intended for students of economics, political science, international relations, business, public policy, entrepreneurship, finance, history, sociology, and related fields.
Asian Development Bank Institute
The Ashoka University–ADBI Internship Programme will provide two Ashoka University students annually with the opportunity to undertake internships at the ADB Institute in Tokyo. Selected through a competitive process, interns will work on research and policy projects aligned with ADBI’s priorities, gaining practical experience in international development, public policy, and economic research.
Druk Holdings & Investments
IGL has partnered with Druk Holdings & Investments Limited (DHI), the Royal Government of Bhutan’s investment holding company, to offer Ashoka University students internship placements at DHI-supported innovation centres — including the Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Super Fab Lab and the DRIVE Centre. Students gain hands-on exposure to innovation, technology, fabrication, and sustainability, with mentoring from DHI’s teams, reflecting a shared commitment to experiential, cross-border learning.
The Coretta & Martin Luther King Institute
IGL has partnered with The Coretta & Martin Luther King Institute for Peace (Oslo, Norway) to advance dialogue, social justice, and cross-cultural academic cooperation. As part of this collaboration, the King Institute will offer two paid remote internships annually for Ashoka IGL -nominated students, starting no later than 2027 to work on projects related to youth, inclusion and social justice — alongside joint publications, media promotion, and potential integration of students into the Institute’s mediation and conflict-transformation programs.
IGL Annual Meeting
A high-impact three-day convening bringing together approximately 120 global scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and Ashoka faculty and students. The Annual Meeting serves as the intellectual centrepiece of IGL, a structured forum for cross-disciplinary dialogue, collaborative research development, and the building of long-term academic partnerships. It will feature keynote sessions, working groups, and mentorship roundtables designed to generate substantive outcomes.
Science of Storytelling and Visual Communication
A hands-on workshop led by acclaimed wildlife photographer Prasenjeet Yadav in partnership with National Geographic, aligned with the September 2026 launch. The workshop will immerse Ashoka students as well as students selected from across the country via a highly selective process in the art and science of visual storytelling, equipping them with the skills to communicate complex scientific ideas through compelling imagery and narrative. It is designed to bridge the gap between rigorous research and public understanding.
Leadership & Global Advisory Council
Archish Mittal
Vice-President, Iron Pillar
Co-Chair, Advisory Council – Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Archish Mittal is Vice President at Iron Pillar, a growth equity fund investing in technology companies. He also serves as...
K. VijayRaghavan
Chair, Science Advisory Council, Ashoka University
Former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India
Co-Chair, Advisory Council – Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Dr Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan is DAE Homi Bhabha Professor and former Director of the National Centre for Biological Sciences. He previously...
Henrik Syse
Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), & Former Vice-Chair, Norwegian Nobel Committee
Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Dr Henrik Syse is a Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and Professor of Peace and Conflict...
David Beasley
Board of Trustee, The Rockefeller Foundation & Former Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (2017-2023)
Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
David Beasley, former Governor of South Carolina, served as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), having been...
Mayssoun Azzam
Journalist, Al Arabiya
Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Distinguished media professional, news anchor, and current affairs presenter with over 20 years of experience in broadcasting and journalism. Combines...
Michael A Spence
Dean, Emeritus, Stanford Graduate School of Business & Chair, General Atlantic Global Growth Institute
Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Dr Michael A. Spence, a Nobel laureate in economics, is Professor Emeritus of Economics and a former dean of the...
Lourdes Casanova
Senior Lecturer & Director of the Gail and Roberto Cañizares Emerging Markets Institute, Cornell University
Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Dr Lourdes Casanova is the Gail and Roberto Cañizares Director of the Emerging Markets Institute and a senior lecturer at...
Sushant Palakruthi Rao
Managing Director, Global External Affairs, Agility & Former Head of Asia-Pacific, World Economic Forum
Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Sushant is a German–American dual citizen as well as an Overseas Citizen of India and resides in Hamburg, Germany. He...
Fellows
Olaug Svarva
Chair, Norfund
Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Chair of Norfund since 2019, the Norwegian Fund for Developing Countries, sustainable investments and ESG. Chair of DNB Bank (2018-2025),...
HH Maharawal Chaitanya Raj Singh
King of Jaisalmer
Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
44th Maharawal (King) of Jaisalmer since 2020, head of the Bhati clan of Rajputs, and 44th descendant of Rawal Jaisal,...
Rakesh Dubey
Director, Global Government Affairs, The Carlyle Group
Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Rakesh is based in New Delhi, focusing on policy advocacy and government engagement. Prior to Carlyle, he led Public and...
Team
Anupama Ambika Anilkumar
Director, Global Research Alliances, Ashoka University
Ph.d. National Centre for Biological Sciences
Dr Anupama Ambika is a cell biologist and academic leader at Ashoka University, where she serves as Director of Global...
Ankita Rathore
Manager, Global Research Alliances, Ashoka University
Ankita Rathore works with Global Research Alliances at Ashoka University, where she develops and manages global research partnerships, leads the...
Shoaib Mirza
Manager, Office of Faculty, Ashoka University
Naropa Fellow 2019
Shoaib Mirza works with the Office of the Dean of Faculty at Ashoka University, where he leads the university-wide Faculty...
Khushbu Singh
EA to Chair, Iron Pillar Initiative in Global Learning
Khushbu Singh is an Executive Assistant and Operations professional with over six years of experience supporting founders and senior leaders...
