In a groundbreaking initiative for India’s higher education sector, Hindu College of Delhi University has launched its first-ever Public Policy Lab, made possible with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support from Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) and in collaboration with Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited (HSCL).
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The state-of-the-art lab was inaugurated by Mr. BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, marking a new chapter in policy education. The lab is designed to provide students with real-world policy insights, encourage policy innovation, and align academic endeavors with national development goals, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Mr. Manoj Kumar Dubey, CMD & CEO of IRFC, expressed pride in the initiative, stating, “This initiative reflects IRFC’s commitment to nation-building by investing in institutions that shape the intellectual and civic leadership of tomorrow. Our collaboration with Hindu College is an investment in India’s policy ecosystem. Through this initiative, we aim to empower the next generation of public policy professionals with tools rooted in research, innovation, and impact.”
Prof. Anju Srivastava, Principal of Hindu College, hailed the initiative as a “historic academic milestone,” recognizing its potential to transform undergraduate education in India by integrating real-time policy thinking into the curriculum.
The lab has launched its flagship certification course, Public Policy in Action, which is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Further academic engagements, including national workshops, policy fellowships, and international exchange programs, are in the pipeline.
Prof. B. Venkatesh Kumar from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, the lab’s mentor, highlighted its crucial role in promoting evidence-based governance and establishing a replicable model for policy education in other higher education institutions.
With New Delhi continuing to evolve as a hub of academic and policy innovation, the IRFC-backed Public Policy Lab at Hindu College is a prime example of the positive impact strategic CSR initiatives can have on shaping India’s policy landscape.
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