उन्मेष -Centre for Indian Knowledge System

उन्मेष - Centre for Indian Knowledge System

The structure of contemporary Indian higher education, particularly in management, technology, and the sciences, has evolved substantially under Western pedagogical frameworks. While these systems have strengthened academic standards and global engagement, they often operate within cultural and philosophical assumptions that do not fully reflect India's rich intellectual heritage. As a result, a gap persists between India's civilizational knowledge traditions and mainstream professional education.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recognizes this gap and advocates a 'Bharat-centric' approach that integrates India's classical wisdom with modern academic rigor. Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) embody this vision. IKS represents a vast and evolving body of intellectual, scientific, philosophical, and socio-cultural thought developed over several millennia. These traditions evolved as interconnected frameworks grounded in a holistic understanding of ethics, governance, economy, society, and human purpose. IKS provides a comprehensive perspective that deeply integrates science, ethics (Dharma), and economic prosperity (Artha). Foundational works such as the Arthashastra, Bhagavad Gita, Vedas, and Upanishads provide enduring insights into leadership, strategic thinking, stakeholder orientation, governance, and sustainable enterprise. Integrating traditional insights from Indian philosophy, economics, and governance with modern management pedagogy can enrich pedagogy, research, and executive training and foster a new generation of academicians, students, and leaders who are "globally competitive yet locally rooted."

The establishment of a Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems represents a strategic academic initiative aligned with national policy priorities and evolving leadership needs. By integrating India's intellectual heritage with contemporary management education, the Centre seeks to institutionalize the study, interpretation, and application of IKS within management education in a structured and academically rigorous manner, which will contribute to academic innovation, responsible leadership development, and institution-building grounded in ethical and sustainable principles.

Vision: To be a leading institution that combines Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) with modern management, encouraging ethical, sustainable, and relevant business leadership.

Mission: To foster curriculum innovation, research, and industry engagement rooted in Indian Knowledge Systems, fostering a "Dharma-based" approach to business and governance.

Objectives of the Centre

• Policy-Practice Integration: To function as an institutional platform that operationalizes the vision of NEP 2020 by systematically integrating Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into management education through structured academic frameworks.
• Curricular Innovation and Academic Integration: To design and introduce a foundational course titled "Indian Knowledge Systems for Managers" and to develop short-term certificate programs for executives focusing on Indic leadership, ethical decision-making, and value-based management practices.
• Heritage Field Studies: Experiential trips to sites of cultural heritage or architectural significance to study IKS in practice.
• Knowledge Preservation and Digital Access: To establish a dedicated IKS E-Library and digital repository that curates classical texts, contemporary research, case studies, and scholarly resources, ensuring accessible and organized dissemination of knowledge.
• Faculty Capacity Building: To conduct Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) aimed at equipping educators with the conceptual and pedagogical tools required to integrate IKS perspectives meaningfully into existing management and technical disciplines, ensuring academic rigor and contemporary relevance.
• Outreach and Executive Engagement: To develop and deliver executive education programs centered on themes such as "Ethical Leadership" and "Mindful Management," rooted in Indian philosophical and cultural foundations.

Faculty

The Centre shall Comprise the following Committee members