Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today, and with good reason!
While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.
WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.
“I have been fortunate to sit in leadership roles for over two decades. I credit this to three things: sincerity in whatever I do, consistency in how I take things forward, and, most importantly, out-of-the-box ideas, courage and conviction paired with honesty of purpose can get the results that you aspire for. Nalanda University today is an example of this principle: whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it; boldness has genius, powerful magic in it. I have worked on this philosophy, as held by German philosopher Goethe, all my life.
This belief has guided me through every role I’ve held. Leadership, to me, is never about just holding a chair; it is about holding the chair with a deep responsibility and commitment. It is certainly not about getting attached to the chair but looking at the result. Unless you give 200%, you cannot expect others to give even 50%. You lead by example and motivate through ideas that translate into reality.
I come from a humble academic family. My father, a humanist professor, taught me to be sincere, diligent and honest. My mother, though not highly educated, was wiser than most. It was a learning experience for me to bring up my two children in an unkind society, which somehow shaped me to fight my battles alone and perhaps emerge as a fearless person.
My academic journey began as a Professor of English Literature at Osmania University. Later, my leadership journey began in 2007 when I became the first woman president of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, a bi-national Research organisation under Foreign Affairs Canada and the Education Ministry in India, where in I introduced research clusters, dual degrees, joint teaching programmes, and global faculty collaborations. We expanded partnerships to include IITs, IIMs, law schools, and central universities, creating a conglomerate of 90 institutions between the two countries.
Two defining challenges shaped me further. First, leading a Central University as the first woman Vice Chancellor, where we built an academic culture from ground zero, held its first convocation in 55 years, and earned a NAAC A grade, a productive tenure that is generally seen as the university emerging out of its darkest phase. Further, on completion of my term, I was appointed as Vice Chancellor of Nalanda International University under the Ministry of External Affairs. I was privileged to rebuild an institution of historic eminence from ground zero, which was extremely daunting but deeply fulfilling. As I worked on building a world-class net-zero infrastructure, policy creation, and designing academic programs and courses. Institutions take time to blossom, but it was satisfying to lay the foundations for global borderless learning and partnership that will hopefully endure.
Along the way, I’ve been humbled by recognitions that reaffirm the value of transformative leadership.”
Prof. Sunaina Singh has been honoured with numerous prestigious awards that celebrate her impact on higher education and governance. Some of the most notable include:
- Global Leader of the Year – Asia One, London (2022)
- Ambassador for Peace – Universal Peace Federation, South Korea (2022)
- World’s Best Emerging Leader – WCRCINT & Malcolm McDonald Academy, London (2022)
- Leadership for Net Zero Endeavour Award – Indo-American Green University Network, New York (2022)
- Innovation Leadership Award – Indi Global Media Network, Bengaluru (2022)
- Chanakya Award for Excellence in Good Governance – Public Relations Council of India (2014)
- International Education Award – British Parliament, House of Lords, London (2018)
“These honours remind me of one truth: leadership must constantly reshape and reformulate. Among all virtues, the most important is courage and conviction. Unless you are courageous in your beliefs and your work, you cannot achieve good results.
I don’t believe in retirement. Your prime begins at 50, when obligations lessen, and you can be most productive. Never give up. Pursue knowledge, embrace innovation, and collaborate, because we are not on an island. Believe in yourself, innovate constantly, and lead with courage and conviction.”
– Prof. Sunaina Singh
Interviewed by Nehal Naik for WisdomCircle
Explore more inspiring journeys—read more Wisdom Stories here.
