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As India accelerates towards becoming a knowledge-driven economy, universities are no longer expected to merely produce graduates. They are increasingly being called upon to create innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and problem-solvers capable of addressing real-world challenges.
At the forefront of this transformation is Ojasvi Babber, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amity Innovation Incubator (AII). With a strong background in investment banking and startup consulting, Babber has spent over 20 years mentoring entrepreneurs, facilitating multimillion-dollar investments and helping early-stage ventures build sustainable businesses.
Under his leadership, Amity Innovation Incubator supported by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission has evolved into one of India's leading university-led incubation ecosystems. Operating across multiple campuses through both physical and virtual incubation programmes, the incubator provides startups with mentorship, intellectual property (IP) support, technology development, regulatory compliance guidance, investor access and market-entry strategies. Babber also heads Amity Capital Ventures, the investment arm supporting promising startups within the Amity ecosystem.
In this exclusive conversation with Entrepreneur India, Babber shares his perspective on the evolving role of universities, India's employability challenge, AI-driven education, university incubators and the collaborative ecosystem required to build the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Q1. How do you see the role of universities evolving as India transitions towards a knowledge and innovation-led economy?
India's transition towards a knowledge and innovation-driven economy demands a fundamental shift in the way universities operate. According to Babber, higher education institutions can no longer remain confined to classrooms and degree programmes; they must transform into centres of innovation, entrepreneurship, research and problem-solving that actively contribute to the nation's economic and social development.
"The role of universities today extends far beyond teaching," he says. "They must create environments where ideas are nurtured, innovation is encouraged and students are empowered to solve real-world problems."
Babber believes the Startup India initiative has played a significant role in changing the mindset of young Indians. Entrepreneurship is increasingly being viewed as a credible and aspirational career choice, encouraging students to explore business ideas even while pursuing their academic education.
This changing mindset presents universities with a unique opportunity to integrate entrepreneurial thinking across disciplines rather than limiting it to management or technology programmes. Every student, regardless of academic background, should be encouraged to think creatively, identify opportunities and develop innovative solutions.
He also stresses the importance of translating academic research into tangible outcomes. Universities generate enormous intellectual capital, but research creates meaningful impact only when it leads to patents, commercial products, scalable startups and solutions that address pressing national and global challenges. To achieve this, universities must build innovation ecosystems that bring together students, researchers, industry leaders, investors, mentors and policymakers under one collaborative framework.
Babber points to the experience of Amity Innovation Incubator as a strong example of how structured mentorship, industry partnerships, early-stage funding, and market exposure can successfully transform student-led ideas into high-growth ventures.
"The institutions that will define India's next decade will be those that successfully integrate education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship into a single ecosystem," he adds.
Q2. India produces millions of graduates every year, yet employers continue to report skill gaps. How can this disconnect be addressed?
Babber believes the issue is often misunderstood. "In my view, India does not suffer from a skills gap as much as it suffers from an application gap," he explains.
While Indian universities produce millions of talented graduates annually, many students graduate without sufficient exposure to practical problem-solving or real industry environments. As a result, they struggle to translate academic knowledge into workplace readiness.
Bridging this disconnect requires much stronger collaboration between academia and industry. Babber recommends that universities move beyond conventional classroom teaching by creating opportunities for students to participate in internships, live industry projects, multidisciplinary research, innovation challenges, startup development programmes and collaborative problem-solving initiatives.
Modern employers are increasingly looking beyond technical knowledge. They value professionals who demonstrate adaptability, analytical thinking, communication skills, digital fluency, teamwork and a commitment to continuous learning. The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence has further accelerated this shift.
"Technology will continue to evolve, but the ability to learn, adapt and solve problems will remain timeless," Babber notes.
He also highlights the growing importance of university-led incubation ecosystems in developing future-ready talent. By exposing students to entrepreneurship at an early stage, universities cultivate qualities such as ownership, resilience, leadership and initiative attributes that significantly enhance employability.
At Amity Innovation Incubator, students and researchers regularly gain practical business experience by building startups, engaging with industry mentors and solving real market challenges. These experiences complement classroom education and prepare them for an increasingly dynamic job market.
Babber concludes that employability cannot be viewed as the sole responsibility of universities. "It requires a collective effort involving academia, industry, government and India's rapidly growing startup ecosystem. Only through sustained collaboration can we prepare graduates not just for today's careers, but also for the opportunities that will emerge tomorrow."
Q3. What are the most important skills students need today to succeed in an AI-driven and rapidly changing world of work?
Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, but according to Babber, the skills that will matter most in the future are not limited to technical expertise. Instead, the ability to adapt, learn continuously and collaborate with technology will define long-term success.
"The future belongs to people who know how to work alongside AI, not compete against it," he says. He identifies learning agility as the single most important skill for today's students. With technology evolving rapidly, many of the tools and platforms in use today may become obsolete within a few years. Therefore, students must develop the ability to continuously learn, unlearn and relearn throughout their professional lives.
Equally important is the ability to think critically and solve complex problems. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating content, analysing data and automating routine tasks, human judgment becomes even more valuable. Students must learn how to ask the right questions, analyse information objectively and make informed decisions in situations where creativity and contextual understanding are essential.
Babber believes that innovation and entrepreneurial thinking will also become indispensable skills. "Organisations today are looking for individuals who can identify opportunities, solve emerging challenges and create new value. Creativity and innovation will increasingly differentiate future leaders."
While technology continues to reshape workplaces, Babber emphasizes that human-centric capabilities cannot be replaced by machines. Communication, collaboration, leadership, emotional intelligence, empathy and the ability to inspire teams will continue to remain critical. Although AI can automate repetitive tasks, it cannot replicate trust, human relationships, or effective leadership.
Universities therefore have an important responsibility to create learning environments that go beyond textbooks. By encouraging interdisciplinary learning, research, industry engagement and entrepreneurial exposure, institutions can help students develop both technological fluency and practical problem-solving capabilities.
At Amity Innovation Incubator, Babber says they have observed that the most successful young innovators are not necessarily those with the strongest technical backgrounds. Instead, they are individuals who combine curiosity, adaptability, resilience and the confidence to transform ideas into scalable solutions.
"The objective is not simply to create AI users," he says. "It is to nurture responsible innovators who understand how technology can create meaningful impact."
Q4. Are university incubators becoming a critical link in India's startup ecosystem? What role do they play that traditional support systems often cannot?
Babber firmly believes that university incubators are emerging as one of the most important pillars of India's startup ecosystem. As India aims to strengthen innovation-led economic growth and create a larger pipeline of entrepreneurs, university-led incubation centres are playing a unique role by supporting founders at the earliest stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
"Most university incubators engage with entrepreneurs even before a company formally exists," Babber explains. "That is what makes them fundamentally different from traditional startup support systems."
Unlike conventional incubators or investors that typically work with startups after they have demonstrated market traction, university incubators help students and researchers validate ideas, refine business models, identify customer problems and develop minimum viable products (MVPs).
This early-stage guidance significantly improves the chances of building sustainable ventures. Babber also points out that university incubators operate at the intersection of education, research, industry and entrepreneurship. This unique positioning enables them to provide an integrated support system that includes experienced mentors, academic expertise, laboratory infrastructure, industry collaborations, investor networks and peer learning opportunities.
Perhaps more importantly, they create an environment where experimentation is encouraged and failure is treated as an essential part of the entrepreneurial learning process rather than something to be feared. "Students need a safe space to test ideas, make mistakes, learn quickly and improve. University incubators provide exactly that."
Beyond supporting individual startups, Babber believes these institutions are helping cultivate a stronger entrepreneurial culture across university campuses. Instead of viewing entrepreneurship as an alternative career option, students increasingly see it as a meaningful way to solve real-world challenges, create employment and contribute to economic development.
Reflecting on Amity Innovation Incubator's own experience, Babber says that structured mentoring, ecosystem access, industry partnerships and continuous guidance have helped transform several early-stage ideas into scalable businesses with national and global potential.
As India's innovation ecosystem continues to mature, he believes university incubators will play an even greater role in identifying entrepreneurial talent, commercialising research, supporting deep-tech innovation and building the next generation of globally competitive founders.
"The future of India's startup ecosystem will depend not only on access to capital, but also on access to knowledge, mentorship, experimentation and strong innovation ecosystems. University incubators are uniquely positioned to deliver all of these," Babber concludes.
Q5. What kind of collaboration between academia, industry and government is needed to create a stronger innovation ecosystem in India?
India's innovation ecosystem has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade, driven by progressive government policies, a thriving startup landscape, increasing industry participation and a strong academic foundation. However, Babber believes that the country's next phase of innovation will depend on how effectively academia, industry and government collaborate to convert ideas into scalable businesses and long-term economic value.
"Each stakeholder has a distinct role to play, but the real impact comes when they work together with a shared vision," he says.
According to Babber, universities contribute talent, research and intellectual capital. Industry brings market insights, infrastructure, technology and real-world business challenges, while the government creates an enabling environment through policy support, funding mechanisms and national innovation missions.
"The greatest opportunities emerge when these three pillars work in alignment rather than in isolation." He believes India needs more collaborative platforms where researchers, students, startups, corporates, investors and policymakers can engage with one another from the earliest stages of innovation.
Industry, he says, should deepen its engagement with educational institutions through collaborative research, internships, technology transfer, pilot projects and innovation partnerships. Such initiatives not only strengthen academic learning but also ensure that research addresses practical industry challenges.
Similarly, universities must actively encourage translational research research that moves beyond laboratories to create commercially viable products, services and startups capable of solving real-world problems. Babber credits initiatives such as Startup India for creating a strong entrepreneurial culture across the country. He believes that continued government support for research commercialisation, university-led incubation programmes and deep-tech innovation will further strengthen India's position as a global innovation hub.
Drawing from his experience at Amity Innovation Incubator, Babber says breakthrough innovation rarely happens in isolation. "Our experience has shown that transformative ideas emerge when diverse stakeholders bring together complementary strengths, shared purpose and a long-term commitment to solving meaningful challenges." He believes strengthening these collaborative bridges will be essential for building a resilient, globally competitive and innovation-driven India.
Q6. With Artificial Intelligence rapidly reshaping industries, how is Amity University integrating AI, emerging technologies and entrepreneurship into its academic ecosystem to prepare students for future leadership roles?
Artificial Intelligence is redefining the future of education and Amity University is actively embracing this transformation by integrating AI, emerging technologies and entrepreneurship throughout its academic ecosystem.
According to Babber, the university's objective extends beyond teaching students how to use AI tools. Instead, it aims to develop future-ready leaders who can leverage technology responsibly while driving innovation across industries. "We are embedding AI into curriculum design, teaching methodologies, assessment models and faculty development to create a more dynamic and future-focused learning environment."
As one of India's largest providers of online higher education, Amity is exploring AI-powered teaching assistants, personalised learning models and technology-enabled pedagogies that improve student engagement while enhancing learning outcomes.
Babber believes AI is fundamentally changing the purpose of education itself. "Education is no longer about access to information alone. AI allows us to shift the focus towards originality, critical thinking, creativity, design thinking and the practical application of knowledge."
Beyond classroom learning, the university is also using AI to accelerate research and innovation. Babber notes that Amity researchers have collectively filed nearly 3,000 patents with more than 600 patents already granted, reflecting the institution's strong focus on knowledge creation and technological advancement.
Students are encouraged to experiment with emerging technologies, collaborate across disciplines and continuously upgrade their skills in an environment where learning never stops. "The ability to learn, unlearn and relearn will define tomorrow's leaders."
Babber also highlights Amity University's significant investments in advanced research infrastructure. The institution has established cutting-edge supercomputing centres, including one with a processing capacity of 10 petaflops, making it among the most powerful academic supercomputing facilities in North India. The university is now expanding this capability to 60 petaflops, further strengthening its research ecosystem.
These facilities support advanced research across diverse scientific disciplines and enable collaborations with prestigious national institutions such as ISRO, DRDO and ICMR.
For Babber, however, technology remains a means rather than the end goal. "Our vision is not simply to prepare students for the future of work," he says. "We want to empower them to shape that future as innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and responsible global leaders."
Conclusion : As India moves towards becoming a global knowledge economy, universities are expected to play a far more strategic role than ever before. Through innovation-led education, interdisciplinary research, startup incubation and deeper collaboration with industry and government, higher education institutions have the potential to become powerful engines of economic growth and technological advancement.
For Ojasvi Babber, the future of education lies in creating ecosystems where ideas can flourish, research can translate into real-world impact and students are encouraged to become creators rather than merely job seekers.
His vision reflects a broader transformation taking place across India's higher education landscape one where universities are evolving from centres of learning into catalysts for innovation, entrepreneurship and nation-building. If this momentum continues, university-led innovation ecosystems could play a defining role in shaping India's next generation of founders, researchers and global innovators.
