PRESS RELEASE (ENGLISH)
*IIT Kharagpur Signs MoU with eKalakaar to Launch “Creative Leadership” Course Rooted in Indian Knowledge Systems*
Kharagpur, 22nd January 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with eKalakaar to jointly offer a unique interdisciplinary course titled “Creative Leadership”, firmly anchored in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).
The course has been meticulously conceptualised through extensive research and structured consultations with industry leaders, students, scholars of Indian Knowledge Systems, and traditional performing artists. This collaborative design process ensures a strong balance of academic rigour, industry relevance, and cultural authenticity.
The 30-hour course, to be offered under the aegis of the Institute’s IKS Department, will be delivered by a diverse panel of industry professionals and IKS experts. Moving beyond conventional classroom pedagogy and entertainment-centric engagement with the arts, the course uniquely employs rare and traditional Indian performing arts as an experiential learning medium to cultivate creativity, leadership, innovation, emotional intelligence, and real-world problem-solving skills among students.
Initially planned as a summer course, the programme is envisioned to evolve into a regular academic offering, strengthening the integration of India’s civilizational wisdom with contemporary leadership education.
This collaboration represents a significant step toward aligning cultural heritage with modern educational and industry needs, reaffirming IIT Kharagpur’s commitment to holistic, future-ready, and value-based education.
*Quote from Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur:-* At IIT Kharagpur, we believe that leadership education must go beyond technical excellence to include creativity, cultural awareness, and human values. This collaboration with eKalakaar reflects our commitment to integrating Indian Knowledge Systems with contemporary pedagogy. By drawing on India’s rich performing arts traditions, the ‘Creative Leadership’ course offers a distinctive and meaningful learning experience that prepares our students to lead with innovation, empathy, and global relevance.
Thank You!
Pratik Dama
Public Relations Officer
IIT Kharagpur
pro@iitkgp.ac.in
Mob – 9975654202
