Dr. Madhu Chitkara Addresses Global Startup Leaders at Junicorns Festival Dubai
Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor of Chitkara University, represented the institution on a prominent global platform as a distinguished speaker at the Junicorns International Startup Festival held in Dubai. The international gathering brought together founders, investors, policymakers, educators, and startup leaders from across regions to deliberate on the evolving role of innovation, entrepreneurship, and education in shaping future economies.
During her address, Dr. Madhu Chitkara spoke on the growing responsibility of universities in preparing young learners not only for employment but for enterprise creation and leadership in uncertain environments. Drawing from Chitkara University’s academic and institutional experience, she highlighted the importance of structured talent development, exposure to real business challenges, and early engagement with innovation ecosystems. She emphasised that entrepreneurship education must move beyond theoretical understanding and instead focus on real-world readiness through mentorship, industry interaction, and experiential learning.
Dr. Chitkara also spoke about the shared responsibility of the startup ecosystem in nurturing student potential. She noted that universities, industry mentors, investors, and policy institutions must work collaboratively to guide young innovators through their formative stages. According to her, the success of entrepreneurship education lies in sustained mentoring, access to practical platforms, and a values-based approach that encourages resilience, accountability, and long-term thinking among students. Her perspectives resonated strongly with the audience, comprising startup founders, global educators, and ecosystem enablers.
The address further highlighted Chitkara University’s initiatives in building a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship across disciplines. The university’s emphasis on integrating academic learning with incubation, exposure, research engagement, and industry mentorship reflects its broader vision of education aligned with national and global development priorities. Dr. Madhu Chitkara’s participation reinforced the university’s role as an active contributor to conversations shaping future-ready education models.
In recognition of her sustained contributions to education entrepreneurship and nation-building, Dr. Madhu Chitkara was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the President of the International Startup Foundation. The honour acknowledged her leadership in advancing education systems that support innovative, ethical leadership and inclusive growth. The award also reflected the international credibility of her work and the global relevance of the institutional frameworks she has helped build over the years.
The Junicorns International Startup Festival provided an important platform for dialogue on emerging startup trends, cross-border collaboration, and the role of education in driving entrepreneurial ecosystems. Dr. Chitkara’s participation added a strong academic perspective to these discussions, reinforcing the need for deeper alignment between education and enterprise.
Chitkara University continues to strengthen its focus on entrepreneurship-led education through academic programs, mentorship frameworks, industry partnerships, and global engagement. With leadership that actively contributes to international forums, the university remains committed to preparing students who can contribute meaningfully to innovation economies while addressing real societal and business challenges in a rapidly changing world.
