External Engagement and Partnerships

A Renewed Inclusive University Alliance (IUA)

The Inclusive University Alliance (IUA) has been renewed and restructured in 2025 as a national network of higher education institutions, partner organizations, and higher education professionals in India, united by a shared commitment to advancing inclusive higher education. Originally initiated in 2019 as a collaborative space for institutions and organizations to share best practices in inclusion and accessibility, the Alliance has, over the past six years, evolved through sustained peer learning, knowledge exchange, webinars, and conferences, while supporting institutions at different stages of their inclusion journeys. As part of its renewed structure, IUA now brings together 28 members, including 8 premier higher education institutions, 9 organisations working across disability and accessibility, and 11 individuals leading disability advocacy through academic and grassroots work. The Alliance is anchored by Ashoka University and institutionalised under its leadership by Reena Gupta, Senior Director, Office of Learning Support. Through this renewed framework, IUA seeks to foster a collaborative ecosystem in which higher education institutions, government bodies, inclusion and accessibility service providers, and education professionals co-create and strengthen inclusive education practices across India. For more information, visit https://inclusiveunivs.in/.

Conclave by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Reena Gupta, Director, OLS was invited by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India, as one of the speakers for the World Day of Social Justice (February 20) event. The Ministry and ChangeInkk Foundation hosted the Conclave on Employment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Delhi. Reena Gupta, in her address, highlighted the role of HEIs in bridging the gap between education and employment for learners with disabilities, and the critical need for all HEIs to set up a support system for students with disabilities on their respective campuses. 

The Conclave brought together individuals with disabilities, government leaders, industry experts, and civil society to share success stories and discuss the challenges and opportunities for people with disabilities in the workforce.

Click here to access the recording of the event.

Inclusive University Alliance (IUA)

Being one of the pioneers in the field of inclusion in higher education, the office signed an MoU with various leading universities across the country and became a founding member of Inclusive University Alliance (IUA). It aims to enhance the ecosystem for improving inclusion at higher education institutes in India. The alliance works closely to share best practices for inclusion, creating accessible teaching learning resources, advocacy efforts needed in the space of inclusive higher education and student and faculty exchange and collaboration to promote inclusion and access among the members of IUA.

Click here to visit the IUA website.

Committee for Inclusion  (CfI)