An Exclusive Interview with Gopal Shukla, CEO of IIT Bombay X Wash U (Joint Venture)
In this exclusive interview, Gopal Shukla, CEO of the IIT Bombay X Wash U Joint Venture, shares insights into how this global collaboration is transforming education and research.
He discusses the partnership’s vision, innovation-driven goals, and its role in shaping future-ready talent across disciplines.
Can you share your journey that led to becoming the CEO of IIT Bombay X Wash U?
Gopal Shukla: My journey has always been about building bridges — between technology and humanity, innovation and inclusion, and now, between two world-class institutions.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working across fintech, AI, and education — three sectors that continue to redefine how we learn, lead, and create impact.
When I received interest from both the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Washington University in St. Louis to lead this joint venture, it was one of the proudest moments of my life.
To be invited to serve my alma mater, IIT Bombay, and to help shape a partnership of such global significance was deeply humbling.
I’ll be honest — I was a little scared at first. It wasn’t fear in the traditional sense, but a deep awareness of the responsibility that came with the trust both institutions — and the very professors who had once taught and mentored me — were placing in me. It’s a rare and humbling experience to have your mentors believe in your ability to carry forward their vision.
I would mention Prof. Shireesh Kedare, whose advice and mentorship have been instrumental. He has constantly inspired me to expand the scope of the collaboration — to take the joint venture beyond borders and into new dimensions through innovative, high-impact programs.
Prof. K.V.K. Rao (Deputy Director – Finance & External Affairs) and Prof. Milind Atrey (Deputy Director – Academic & Research) have been guiding forces — their encouragement has been invaluable in ensuring the joint venture continues to grow strategically and meaningfully.
From WashU-Olin Dean Mike Mazzeo (Dean, Olin Business School) and Prof. Markus Baer (Vice Dean of Executive Education & Professor of Organizational Behavior) offered incredible support and confidence that I could carry this vision forward.
Their collective trust became my motivation. It’s rare to have such faith placed in you by people you deeply respect.
For me, this isn’t just a professional role — it’s a deeply personal journey to give back to the institution that shaped me and to build something that will empower future generations of global, purpose-driven leaders.
How does this collaboration aim to redefine higher education and research ecosystems?
Gopal Shukla: At its heart, the IIT Bombay–Washington University collaboration is about reimagining leadership and learning for a borderless world.
Our joint pedagogy brings together world-class faculty from both institutions, integrating academic rigor with real-world insight. The idea is to nurture leaders who are not only functionally strong but globally fluent — individuals who can bridge cultures, understand systems, and lead responsibly.
More broadly, this partnership represents a new model for higher education — one built on co-creation rather than hierarchy.
It’s about two institutions combining their strengths to build something greater than either could alone: a learning platform that fuses global excellence with contextual relevance. This Joint Executive MBA degree is uniquely placed in the higher education ecosystem.
What unique opportunities does this partnership bring to students and faculty at both institutions?
Gopal Shukla: The IITB–WashU partnership opens doors in multiple dimensions — for students, faculty, and industry alike.
For students, it’s a rare chance to learn through two powerful lenses: IIT Bombay’s deep understanding of emerging markets and technology, and Washington University’s global expertise in leadership, innovation, and management. The dual exposure — including residencies in St. Louis and Washington, D.C. — allows them to experience leadership in both developed and developing contexts.
For faculty, it fosters collaboration across continents. Joint research projects, exchange programs, and cross-border mentoring enrich teaching and research alike. These interactions often spark fresh and unique insights and innovations.
Ultimately, it’s not just about sharing knowledge — it’s about creating it together.
How do you manage cultural and institutional differences between IIT Bombay and Washington University?
Gopal Shukla: Collaboration across continents always brings diversity — in culture, in pace, and in perspective. But that diversity is also our biggest strength.
Both IIT Bombay and Washington University share common values: a commitment to academic excellence, ethical leadership, and innovation that serves society. We start from that shared purpose, which helps us navigate differences constructively.
Our approach is built on empathy and open dialogue. We see cultural differences not as barriers, but as opportunities to learn and enrich the collaboration.
When you blend American academic structures with Indian ingenuity and adaptability, what you get is a vibrant, dynamic partnership — one that mirrors the very essence of global leadership we aim to teach.
How do you envision graduates of IIT Bombay X Wash U contributing to global challenges?
Gopal Shukla: The leaders emerging from this program are uniquely positioned to make a global impact. They understand complexity — not just in business, but in society.
We’re developing leaders who can balance intellect with intent — professionals who use data and technology, yes, but who also lead with empathy and purpose.
Whether they’re driving sustainable growth, leading digital transformation, or tackling societal challenges, they do so with a mindset of inclusion and responsibility.
In a world that’s interconnected and uncertain, we need leaders who can bridge perspectives and lead across borders. That’s exactly the kind of leadership DNA this program cultivates.
Are there expansion plans to involve other global universities or innovation hubs?
Gopal Shukla: The Leadership vision has always been to evolve this collaboration into a broader ecosystem of innovation and learning — one that transcends boundaries and responds to the dynamic needs of global leadership.
Right now, our focus is on deepening and scaling the IIT Bombay × Washington University partnership. Both institutions are fully committed to strengthening this alliance and taking it to new regions where there is strong demand for high-quality executive education and cross-border leadership development.
As part of this evolution, we are actively exploring opportunities to extend our presence into proximity regions such as the Middle East and neighboring countries, where innovation and enterprise are accelerating rapidly.
These markets share strong economic and cultural linkages with India and the U.S., making them natural extensions of our global footprint.
The intent is not simply to expand, but to create deeper impact — by bringing our unique blend of academic rigor, industry relevance, and global perspective to leaders across emerging markets.
The future of education is borderless, and our goal is to stay ahead of that curve — expanding thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with purpose.
Are there particular flagship research projects currently in progress that you are excited about?
Gopal Shukla: IIT Bombay, through a collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre and ImmunoACT, developed NexCAR19, India’s first indigenous CAR T-cell therapy for cancer.
NexCAR19 CAR-T therapy is India’s first indigenously Made-in-India CAR-T therapy; borne from academia-industry partnership.
NexCAR19 is the world’s most affordable CAR-T therapy and it puts India firmly on the global map of advanced cell and gene therapy.
The CAR-T Cell therapy has been developed by Prof. Rahul Purwar and his team at the BSBE Department, IIT Bombay in close association with Tata Memorial Centre and ImmunoACT.
The President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu launched this India’s first home-grown anti-Cancer CAR-T cell therapy and dedicated it to the Nation in the presence of the Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Bais at the Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Bombay in Mumbai
Another project – BharatGen is a government-funded, national initiative spearheaded by IIT Bombay to develop India’s own sovereign, multilingual, and multimodal large language models (LLMs).
The project aims to create a comprehensive generative AI ecosystem tailored to India’s diverse linguistic and cultural needs, and it recently secured a massive grant of ₹988.6 crore (approximately $112 million) under the IndiaAI Mission.
Gopal Shukla’s forward-thinking approach highlights the power of international collaboration in redefining academic excellence.
His vision for IIT Bombay X Wash U underscores a unified commitment to innovation, knowledge exchange, and global impact in higher education.
| Are you an
Entrepreneur or Startup? Do you have a Success Story to Share? SugerMint would like to share your success story. We cover entrepreneur Stories, Startup News, Women entrepreneur stories, and Startup stories
|
Read more Success stories of Indian entrepreneurs, Women Entrepreneurs & startups stories at SugerMint. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn