As higher education continues to evolve with technology, changing industry requirements and new models of learning, university leadership is increasingly expected to look beyond conventional classrooms. Dr Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University, has been working towards building an education ecosystem that places innovation, industry relevance and student development at its centre.
Galgotia’s approach to higher education is closely linked with his vision for preparing students for a changing world. On his official profile, he says his focus is on developing technically sound graduates who are also equipped with lifelong learning skills, entrepreneurship capabilities and an understanding of future workplace requirements.
A key part of this approach is connecting education with developments outside the university. Galgotias University says it works with business leaders, regulators and other stakeholders to keep its academic offerings relevant to contemporary requirements. For Galgotia, this industry connection is important in ensuring that students are not only prepared for their first job but can continue to adapt as careers and technologies change.
Under his leadership, the university has also placed considerable emphasis on technology, artificial intelligence and experiential learning. The institution’s recent initiatives include an AI-enabled learning ecosystem and the G-SCALE initiative, which focuses on creating more active, collaborative and engaging learning environments.
The university’s growing focus on student-led innovation is another part of this education journey. In 2026, 18 students from Galgotias University’s iOS Development Centre were selected as winners of Apple’s Swift Student Challenge, with projects spanning areas including education, healthcare, accessibility, artificial intelligence and augmented reality. The university credited its innovation, mentorship and app-development ecosystem for supporting the students.
Galgotias University has also expanded its focus on research, technology and global engagement. Its recent academic and institutional activities have included conferences around artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and technology, bringing together students, researchers and experts from India and abroad.
For Galgotia, the larger objective appears to be creating a university where students are active participants in the learning process rather than passive recipients of information. His vision places emphasis on creativity, collaboration, industry exposure and the ability to keep learning beyond graduation.
As he celebrates his birthday, Dhruv Galgotia’s work reflects the changing priorities of Indian higher education — where technology is increasingly becoming part of the classroom, innovation is becoming a measure of institutional growth and universities are being expected to prepare students for careers that may look very different from those of today.
