Ashish Munjal Revolutionizing Education with Sunstone Eduversity

In a nation teeming with educational institutions and courses, India grapples with an escalating employability gap. According to the 2021 India Skills Report, a mere 45.9 percent of Indian graduates possess the requisite employable skills. The educational system in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, in particular, faces profound challenges, creating a significant skills divide. To address this critical issue, Ashish Munjal, Co-founder and CEO of Gurugram-based Sunstone Eduversity, embarked on a mission to reshape education. His vision: to provide students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with the same quality education and opportunities as their Tier 1 counterparts.

Bridging the Skills Gap:

Ashish Munjal recognized that the existing educational landscape in India’s smaller cities was fraught with disparities. Students in these regions lacked access to the educational opportunities available to their Tier 1 counterparts. As the employability gap continued to widen, Ashish was determined to bridge this divide. He envisioned a purpose-driven learning model, technology-driven pedagogy, and job-oriented programs as the keys to success.

Pay-on-Placement MBA Programs:

Sunstone Eduversity commenced its journey by offering pay-on-placement MBA programs. These innovative programs aimed to break the traditional mould of education. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Ashish sought to provide students with practical skills that would lead to gainful employment. Sunstone’s unique model focuses on outcome-based education, where students only pay fees once they secure a job.

Demystifying the “Education Black Box”:

Ashish recognized a significant flaw in the traditional education system—a lack of transparency. Students often progress through courses without knowing their areas of weakness until it’s too late. To address this issue, Sunstone Eduversity sought to convert education into a transparent system with an effective feedback loop. Technology played a pivotal role in this endeavour. Sunstone’s system tracks every student’s progress in real-time, enabling timely intervention with remedial action plans. The internal term for this mechanism is the “Sunstone Learning Index.”

Sunstone Eduversity formed partnerships with Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges to integrate its courses into their curriculum. The company not only focused on education but also emphasized placements. In the initial years, Sunstone boasted an impressive placement record of 97-98 percent. For many students, Sunstone became a gateway to a promising career, with numerous being the first in their families to enter the corporate world. Corporations, on the other hand, valued students with strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the right attitude, qualities emphasized in Sunstone’s courses.

Overcoming Degree Hangover:

Ashish Munjal recognized the prevailing “degree-hangover” culture in India, where possessing a degree often takes precedence over acquiring relevant skills. He advocated for a hybrid education system that combines physical learning with online courses. He emphasized the need to shift the focus towards skills development, especially in a technology-driven era where tech talent is in high demand.

Ashish believes that the Indian start up ecosystem now offers greater depth, creating a conducive environment for aspiring entrepreneurs to make a meaningful impact in the education sector. He sees immense opportunities in consumer-focused edtech innovations, especially in addressing the skills gap and creating a more holistic approach to education.