‘Rishihood Foundation’ are the University’s foundation courses for first-year undergraduate students. These courses are essential for building a solid foundation for future academic and professional endeavors. As an impact-oriented university, we aim to create positive change in the world by equipping our students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become change agents.
Education is an ongoing pursuit aimed at learning concepts, ideas, thoughts, frameworks that not only are relevant and necessary for the job market but also enable one to excel in life. The goal of higher education is not limited to the first job that the learner acquires after graduating. It is to prepare them to excel in their lives and blossom to their full potential. In today’s world when Information is abundant and easy to access, technology and content are a commodity.
The world of education itself stands disrupted with a need to create newer models of learning that allow individuals to move from static to dynamic, from rote learning to experiential learning, from classroom-based evaluations to project based outcomes and preparing the learners for the world of the future and for Life.
The future of education is crafting learners who learn how to learn continuously. This future demands an individual who is driven by the following tenets Jigyasa (one who is a lifelong learner), Chikirsha (one who has a bias towards action), Ananda (one who has is joyous).
The promise of the Rishihood program is to prepare the learners to interact and engage with individuals from across the world at work, to build a mindset for innovation, develop leadership capabilities and build necessary perspectives to evaluate situations and act confidently.
The job market is constantly evolving, and it is becoming increasingly important for individuals to have meta-skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and adaptability. These skills are not specific to any one field but transferable across various industries and professions. Develop these meta-skills through various assignments, group projects, and discussions.
By taking foundation courses that cover a wide range of subjects, you will gain a broad perspective on different fields and be better equipped to tackle complex problems from various angles. This type of education can also lead to more innovative and creative solutions.
In our foundation courses, you will be part of a class with students from different backgrounds and academic interests. This diversity will allow you to learn from each other and gain a broader range of perspectives, preparing you for the diverse and globalized workforce you will encounter after graduation.
Finally, our foundation courses are designed to create a sense of community among students building solid relationships and support systems. This can lead to a sense of belonging and purpose, and help you stay motivated throughout your academic journey.
The Rishihood foundation program is a uniquely designed program for learners that instills 6 key competencies in them:
#WhoAmI
“Self and Society” is a dynamic self-transformative course aimed at helping undergraduate learners understand and navigate the intricate complexities of life. This course is an exploration into the depth and breadth of human existence, spiritual practices, and ancient wisdom traditions, focusing predominantly on Indic philosophies.
Drawing upon Dharmic principles and spiritual insights, we venture into the realms of our role in society, interpersonal relationships, the power of community, and challenges of contemporary life. A central theme throughout the course will be self-inquiry – a deep contemplation on “Who am I?” and “What is my purpose?”
As an integral part of the course, learners will also be introduced to daily spiritual practice, enhancing self-awareness, fostering inner peace, and promoting overall wellbeing.
We also explore the complex relationship that exists between the individual and the wider society in which they are embedded. We will look at how people experience social life very differently because of where they live and what identity they embody and choose to present.
The course aims to help the learner build a strong internal locus of control and resilience which allows the learner to stay focused, firm and effectively deal with the challenges that the learner will encounter and yet stay joyful.
#WhoAreWe
It is said that 21st century is India’s century. India and Indians have a unique advantage of being the youngest nation with a strong civilizational history. As India becomes important for the world and the world becomes a canvas for India, it Is increasingly important that learners understand the differentiators that make them truly unique among their global peers. This differentiator comes from being aware of the strong civilizational knowledge and heritage that is India and understanding the discourse that drives India on several dimensions. This course provides an in-depth exploration of Indian civilization, encompassing its history, geography, demographics, belief systems, economy, social structures, festivals, art forms, norms and laws, infrastructure, science and technology, unique heritage, relationships with other countries and cultures, and the role and purpose of Indian civilization.
What will the course provide for the learner?
This course is a blend of the dimensions that give an identity to the 21st century Indian and helps him/her become aware of the elements that makes him/her truly differentiated as they step out of college and into the world.
Leading questions for RUFP Team to address.
#WhatAreWeDealingWith
The world has undergone radical transformations in the last decade and the change will continue until the new world order and its effects take shape. It is difficult to predict the nature of, on the one hand a world which is brittle, anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible and on the other a world that creates immense opportunities to bring sense, sanity and growth in economy, culture, values, healthcare, education among others.
The learners delve into the multifaceted impacts of globalization on individuals, societies, and nations, while critically examining the role of various state and non-state actors in this era of increased global interconnectedness. The course aims to delve into the nuances distinguishing globalization, modernization, and westernization, and question if globalization conflicts with diversity. Adopting a novel approach, this course puts a spotlight on the ‘Global Grand Challenges’ (GGCs) – critical issues that define our current times and future trajectories.
What will the course provide for the learner?
This course contains a unique blend of topics which provide global perspectives to the learner helping them understand the world as is, their place as a professional in the world of tomorrow and what is required for them to stay relevant and drive their growth and development.
#HowShouldWeSolve
Design is an important element of our lives and impacts every single aspect of it daily from how various services that we encounter are designed for example healthcare services, retail, banking, public services, transportation, airlines, food and beverages, to the impact of graphics, colors, layouts, structure that impact our thinking, moods, emotions and define our engagement with the world.
Elements of design have impacted several seminal events and outcomes ranging from the world’s worst nuclear accidents to impacting the outcomes of national elections.
We appreciate and engage with well-designed systems, objects, services, things, interactions, engagements and ignore the ones that aren’t. It is a very subtle yet incredibly powerful means of communication. Design has an important role to play in all disciplines of study. The learners also need to be aware about how India has contributed to the world of design in a way that several core concepts in modern design find their roots in Indian thought and is a source of inspiration for creators, designers, and thinkers globally.
What will the course provide for the learner?
This course aims to introduce the learners with an appreciation for elements of design and build a sense of ‘Soundarya Bodh’. The learners will learn the twelve basic principles of design and discover the applications of design in their respective areas of specialization.
#HowAreThingsConnected
We live in a world of complex and interconnected systems. These interconnected systems can range from big corporations and the Earth’s biosphere to social networks and our own bodies. Complex systems have many components that interact with each other in dynamic patterns, these components work well with each other until they fail disastrously due to an event or a cascading of actions or events. Events like hurricanes, pandemics like COVID-19, elections and market crashes remind us of our limited understanding of several aspects of interconnected systems. It is imperative to build the ability to notice and comprehend the counterintuitive nature of these complex systems. Globally, this skill is recognized by scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs as one of the most important and valuable skills of the 21st century.
What will the course provide for the learner?
This course aims to introduce the learners to the ability to connect their learning to real world complex problems, improve decision making ability and contemplate and consider the unintended consequences of their choices.
#ThinkAtScale, #HowtoSolveForScale
The world of today is increasingly shaped by complex interactions of humans and technological systems at scale impacting identities, healthcare, agriculture, medical interventions, finance, shaping of public opinions, smart city programs, surveillance, commerce and much more.
It is important to understand the relationship between the interactions that shape policies and programs and how policies shape those interactions in the Indian context. The learners are expected to understand elements of technology policy interventions, contexts, concepts, and engage with on-ground practicalities of the changing relationship between science, technology, and society through projects.
What will the course provide for the learner?
This course addresses societal challenges at the intersection of technology and policy and helps them build a perspective and build their thinking for advanced years.
