Studio 21
Conscious Design Thinking
Design thinking with ethics, sustainability, and Indian ethos at its core
Six days of applying design thinking to real problems — grounded in integrity, sustainability, and the wisdom of Indian intellectual traditions.
When
20–25 July 2026
Six full days · 10am–5pm
Where
Chanakya university Global Campus
Devanahalli, Bengaluru
You earn
2 Credits
Certificate of Completion
Open to
All Students
UG, PG, PhD across schools + external participants
What you’ll do
This course prepares you to become a future-ready leader, innovator, and problem-solver capable of navigating complex challenges while staying true to conscious business practices, ethical principles, and sustainable visioning.
What you’ll walk away with
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Master design thinking — apply the five-step process to solve complex, real-world problems
- Embrace ethical design thinking for leadership — make designs and decisions rooted in integrity and aligned with the greater good of society and the world
- Prioritise sustainability — integrate principles of environmental and intangible sustainability into innovative solutions
- Connect with Indian ethos — draw inspiration from Vedic values and cultural wisdom to lead holistically, and consider how design thinking applies in a variety of global settings
- Enhance collaboration skills — work effectively in teams, leveraging diverse perspectives for impactful results while solving problems
What you’ll make
At the end of the course, you’ll produce either a prototype of the design thinking problem you’ve taken up, or an original written piece based on your design thinking proposal.
Your six days
| Mon | Concept of design thinking and the need for it. An entrepreneur’s perspective — interaction with an entrepreneur. |
| Tue | Sustainability and its implications for designing, understanding, contextualising, and analysing designs and systems. Interaction with a subject-matter expert who has worked on Sustainability / Circular Economy products. |
| Wed | Designing for multiple disciplines using different approaches to design thinking. Hands-on team project working towards a feasible prototype. |
| Thu | Uncovering paradigms and applying design thinking concepts for self-development. Applying principles of prototyping to personal growth and innovation — group discussions and team projects. |
| Fri | Applications of design thinking to career, leadership roles, relationships, and personal growth — inputs by a life coach. |
| Sat | Working on the final viable prototype. |
Sessions run full-day (approx. 10am–5pm). No more than 1–2 hours of theory per day; the rest is hands-on.
How you’ll be assessed
On the viability of the solution you have conceived for the problem you take up, and on the application of the conscious design thinking concepts you’ve learned across the course.
Your instructor
Prof. Ajay Rawul
Prof. Ajay Rawul is a Professor of Practice at Chanakya University’s School of Management Studies and an Adjunct Faculty member at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, where he specializes in innovation management, venture building, and entrepreneurship. He holds an Engineering degree from Karnataka University and a Master’s in Management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai.
With over two decades of experience running startups and mentoring more than 20 ventures, his corporate engagement spans top-tier organizations including Indian Oil Corporation, NIIT Limited, SAP India, Napier Healthcare-Singapore, and Nymo AI-Singapore. At IIT Ropar, he also serves as a Director on the Board of Management of SCALE, focused on continuing education. His studio guides students through bridging design thinking principles with ethical leadership, commercial validation, and sustainable enterprise strategies grounded in traditional and modern management paradigms.
Registration open
Questions about a Studio?
Reach out to the Studios Coordinator. Happy to talk through any of the courses, what to expect day-to-day, or whether a particular Studio fits where you are in your learning right now.
Studios Coordinator
Anand K Sharma
cu.studios@chanakyauniversity.edu.in
+91 88930 33233
Campus
Chanakya University Global Campus
NH-648, Haraluru–Polanahalli
Near Kempegowda Intl. Airport
Devanahalli, Bengaluru — 562165