We Are Building Nayanta for Next 500 Years: Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan

Bengaluru, February 13

Nayanta University is being established with a long-term vision of 500 years, aiming to nurture leaders who will help shape new India and coming centuries, said Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys and Nayanta University. As he spoke at the university’s launch event at the Science Gallery Bengaluru, he emphasized that the institution will be rooted in strong values, rich culture, and a vision that transcends generations, with the ambition to create an enduring legacy.

Gopalakrishnan articulated a bold vision, outlining the university’s steadfast commitment to excellence, leadership, and nation-building. “Institutions live beyond individuals… our goal is to build an institution that lasts beyond its founders, leaving a lasting legacy,” he stated. He emphasized that Nayanta University will be instrumental in developing leaders who will drive India’s progress, ensuring that the university’s impact resonates for generations to come.

The name “Nayanta” is derived from two Sanskrit words meaning “new” and “hope.” The Pune-based university is dedicated to cultivating critical thinking and creative skills through an interdisciplinary approach and has begun the enrollment process for its inaugural batch of students, set to commence in August 2025. The focus of the university is on integrating arts and science education with multidisciplinary electives and hands-on experience.

Gopalakrishnan said that the vision for Nayanta is to create a world-class institution that will attract students and faculty from around the globe. With a foundation built by some of India’s leading industry figures, the university will prioritize quality over quantity. “From faculty to students, every aspect of the university will embody the highest standards, distinguishing us from other institutions,” he added.

He also called upon the public to engage with the institution and contribute in its development. “We are very clear that our stakeholders encompass the entire society. We want to ensure that this dialogue not only explains our vision but also gathers feedback on how we can achieve our goals and the steps we need to take,” he said.

The launch event was attended by several prominent individuals, including Dr Naushad Forbes, Chancellor of Nayanta and co-chair of Forbes Marshall; Dr Ranjan Banerjee, CEO of Nayanta Education Foundation; and D Parthasarathy, Dean of the university.