Ahmedabad University has been awarded Leadership and Management Team of the Year at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2025, held in Macao on April 22. This is the highest honour at the prestigious event, and a major recognition of the university’s bold and visionary leadership.
Founded in 2009, Ahmedabad University has steadily grown into a standout institution in India’s education landscape. The university was praised for its unique approach—focusing on liberal arts values, interdisciplinary learning, research, and real-world application.
The judges noted the university’s “decisive, bold and imaginative action” and credited its success to collaborative leadership. Among 500 entries from across 16 countries, Ahmedabad stood out for transforming itself into a top player in India’s research and innovation scene.
Vice Chancellor Professor Pankaj Chandra said, “Ahmedabad University has dared to reimagine the classroom and the future of education with a deep sense of purpose.”
Major reforms at the university include increasing faculty strength, investing in research infrastructure, introducing a global-standard tenure system, and promoting equity through need-blind admissions and inclusive student policies. The university also redesigned its campus to be more sustainable and welcoming.
Ahmedabad’s curriculum is designed to prepare students not just for jobs, but for meaningful lives. Its programmes, like the Foundation Programme and Independent Study Period, reflect this mission. Graduates regularly go on to top global institutions, launch startups, or join leading companies.
This recognition builds on previous accolades such as a 5-Star GSIRF rating, the AACSB Innovations That Inspire Award, and being named a Centre of Excellence by the Gujarat Government.
Ahmedabad University continues to lead as a private, non-profit institution committed to academic excellence, innovation, and social impact.
- Recognised by the Government of Gujarat as a Centre of Excellence.
- Accredited with ‘A’ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
- Awarded a 5-star rating, the highest awarded in the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) for 2021-22 and 2023-24, by the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG), Department of Education, Government of Gujarat.
- Awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Award for Excellence 2024 for our University Centre.
- Awarded a ‘Platinum Rating’ by the Indian Green Building Council for sustainability and green practices.
- Recognised by the UGC under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, becoming one of the very few private research universities to have been awarded this recognition for select research universities.
- Recognised as a Highly Commended University for Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2023.
- Awarded the AACSB’s Innovations That Inspire Award 2023 for its Foundation Programme.
- Awarded Gold Rating by the Indian Green Building Council for achieving the Green Building Standards at our University Centre.
The University, established in 2009, is rooted in the vision of one of India’s finest educational foundations, the Ahmedabad Education Society, which was founded in 1935 by nationalist leaders. Programmes at the University range from bachelors to doctoral levels in humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and management through its 13 Schools and Centres:
Ahmedabad University has many schools and centres, including:
- Amrut Mody School of Management
- Bagchi School of Public Health
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Engineering and Applied Science
- Ahmedabad Design Lab
- Centre for Heritage Management
- Centre for Inter-Asian Research
- Centre for Learning Futures
- Global Centre for Environment and Energy
- International Centre for Space and Cosmology
- Sahyog: Centre for Promoting Health
- The Climate Institute
- VentureStudio
As an urban university, Ahmedabad encourages independent thinking and values diversity. It helps students grow into thoughtful, practical, and globally aware individuals. The university blends liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies to create new knowledge and prepare students for real-world challenges and careers in the modern economy.