The value of multidisciplinary education in preparing students for successful employment in a complex and fast changing global economy has gained increasing attention in recent years. This is especially true for aspiring economists and financial analysts, who require a diverse set of abilities and expertise to thrive in their profession. “The critical thinking and problem-solving ability required to thrive in today’s dynamic and demanding business world may be developed by incorporating a liberal arts approach to education. A liberal-arts approach provides the breadth and depth of disciplinary learning required to understand complex issues of society and business” states Vineet Gupta Ashoka University founder.

Often a liberal arts education has been considered an education focused on the humanities. However, today a liberal arts education encompasses an interdisciplinary study of humanities, social sciences and pure sciences. Other than disciplinary learning the second important aspect of a liberal arts education is the pedagogy of teaching. The liberal arts institutions often take the Socratic method of debate and discussion rather than “sage on the stage” approach. This helps students develop their ability to communicate and think critically. Interdisciplinary education is crucial for aspiring economists and financial analysts who have to understand complex issues. These careers now include more than just crunching figures and creating forecasts; as they also involve comprehending the intricate social, political and economic forces at play. This necessitates a thorough comprehension of the relationships between different fields, including economics, finance, history, politics and sociology.

Students need to have a comprehensive awareness of the real world and the ability to apply their knowledge to challenges in order to excel in these professions. A rich, diversified, and demanding learning environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities is offered to students through interdisciplinary education. Interdisciplinary education equips students to compete in today’s fast-paced and constantly-evolving industry by teaching them to view the world from a range of perspectives and apply their knowledge to practical problems.

Vineet Gupta, founder of Ashoka and Plaksha university states, “Educational institutions like Ashoka and Plaksha have been founded on interdisciplinary learning. Ashoka provides an education in a breadth of disciplines including economics, history, physics, maths, sociology, psychology and many more while Plaksha is re-imagining engineering education by collapsing the boundaries of engineering disciplines. Both institutions focus on communication, reading and writing as key skills. Plaksha also inculcates a strong tinkering and maker mentality in students, an important skill for engineers. In fact, specifically for economists and financial analysts, Plaksha offers a degree in Data Science, Economics and Business which is a more futuristic degree in the field of Business and Economics.”

Vineet Gupta continues by pointing out that multidisciplinary education may aid students in acquiring critical soft skills like leadership, teamwork and communication. In the competitive corporate environment of today where collaboration and communication are keys to success, these skills play a crucial role. He highlights, “Interdisciplinary education enables students to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to complex problems. This is especially crucial for future economists and financial analysts, who must be able to identify new and insightful methods to evaluate and understand data.”

Ashoka University has established the Rakesh Jhunjhunwala School of Economics and Finance in memory of the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, a philanthropist and “Big Bull” of the modern investing era. The School will work to enhance inclusive and equitable development with a focus on financial knowledge and economical skills. The School will continue to develop and create new Centres of Excellence focusing on research in economics and finance. The Department of Economics, its educational programmes, and the Centre for Economic Data & Analysis at Ashoka University (CEDA) will all become a part of the School.

“The world is constantly changing, and students need to be able to adapt and evolve in order to succeed in their careers. Interdisciplinary education provides students with the resources and skills necessary to succeed in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing environment. By incorporating a liberal arts approach into their education, students are able to develop holistically and also develop a sense of social responsibility.” highlights Vineet Gupta, Ashoka University Founder.