TEDx Anant National University
X = independently organised TED event
Anant National University, India’s first DesignX university, is dedicated to training students to devise solutions for global problems. The X in Design X is the symbol drawn from mathematics, representing enhancement. This new learning approach multiplies traditional design pedagogy with liberal arts disciplines, emerging technologies and knowledge drawn from hands-on community experiences to help understand our world better and to devise impactful solutions.
Our multidisciplinary undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in design, architecture, climate action and visual arts harness knowledge from various disciplines and traditional practices to integrate it with cutting-edge technology to address diverse challenges. We train our designers to become solutionaries — revolutionary thinkers with a solution-oriented mindset.
Anant National University has been awarded the prestigious ‘5-Star Rating’ in the category of Architecture and a ‘4-Star Rating’ in the University category in Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023-24. This recognition reinforces our commitment to creating a world-class institution of great eminence and excellence.
TED
TED is a non-profit event dedicated to sharing ideas through short, impactful talks that span a variety of topics in more than 100 languages. It is a grassroots initiative created in the spirit of TED’s mission to research and discover “ideas worth spreading.”
A TEDx event is locally organised, independently planned and coordinated on a community-by-community basis, where live TED talks are shared with the community. The content and design of each TEDx event are unique and developed by each organising team. However, every event has common features, including TED’s prescribed format, diversity of topics and community-driven, bias-free content. TEDx events are completely volunteer events. Organisers and speakers at TEDx events must not receive or give payment for their participation.
TEDxAnant National University
TEDxAnant National University provides a platform for changemakers who have made an impact on society with their work to share their ideas alongside industry veterans. By amplifying their voices, TEDxAnant National University highlights the significance of fresh perspectives, encouraging young solutionaries. Honouring the spirit of TED, TEDxAnant National University fosters ideas worth spreading and helps today’s youth adapt to the ever-changing world of tomorrow.
Anant National University presents the second edition of TEDxAnant National University, a day filled with compelling talks and insights by inspirational thought leaders.
TEDxAnant National University Theme - Solutionaries
The world today is faced with complex and pressing global issues which demand bold, innovative and sustainable solutions. For such solutions to be found we need revolutionary thinkers and creative individuals with courage to challenge the status quo to bring about impactful, lasting change.
TEDxAnant National University celebrates such revolutionary visionaries.
This year’s theme, Solutionaries, is more than just a concept; it’s a tribute to such problem solvers who embody determination, creativity and an unyielding spirit to change the world for the better. This theme holds special significance for us as the concept is deeply rooted in Anant’s core values, centred around nurturing solutionaries who can identify real-world problems and design sustainable solutions through the principles of design thinking.
This year’s event promises to be a journey of discovery and inspiration. Participants will witness ground-breaking ideas and inspiring achievements, leaving them with new perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose. With TEDxAnant National University, we aim to empower participants with a solutionary mindset to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Speakers
Shri M Nagarajan
Shri M Nagarajan
Shri M Nagarajan, an IAS Officer of the 2009 Batch, Gujarat Cadre, is currently the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC). Renowned for mentoring and guiding students to design solutions to contemporary problems and establish start-ups, Shri Nagarajan strongly believes that technology is a great enabler of social change. He was widely recognised for his work during the Surat Smart City Mission and was honoured by the Election Commission of India for his innovative use of technology in the Gujarat 2012 elections.
Kiran Vaghela
Kiran Vaghela
Kiran Vaghela, Founding Director at Hunnarshala Foundation, Founder of Karigar Shala Trust and a partner at Studio Dot, is a civil engineer by education and a self-taught architect and innovator. He leverages the skills of artisans and their indigenous knowledge of resilient building systems to innovate them further for contemporary applications. Using a participatory approach, Kiran has worked with many communities for their disaster rehabilitation and continues to inspire young students to pursue higher education and become enterprising entrepreneurs.
Dinie van den Heuvel
Dinie van den Heuvel
A fashion designer, sustainability scholar and educator with over 20 years of industry experience, Dinie is currently pursuing her PhD in Creative Practices at Anant National University. She has championed creativity, resourcefulness and circular design as the creative director and sustainability lead at Infantium Victoria, an award-winning vegan children’s wear brand in Brussels, Belgium. She has published two books on sustainable fashion design and has completed numerous projects on textile waste reduction and reuse. Dinie teaches students how even discarded fabric scraps can spark innovation and foster a future-forward approach to fashion.
Sajith Ansar
Sajith Ansar
Sajith Ansar, CEO and Founder of Unlimits.ai and Idea Spice Design, Dubai, is a National Institute of Design alumnus with an MEP programme at The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He worked at Core Emballage and founded and ran a profit centre that designed, manufactured and retailed innovations in recycled paper. Listed as one of the Top 100 Indian business leaders in the Arab World for three years in a row, Sajith also lectures at business and design universities and conducts workshops for entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Organising Team
Jasmine Gohil
Professor and Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
MPlan, Bhaikaka Centre for Human Settlements, APIED, Sardar Patel University
Rohan Chougale
Senior Manager, Student Services
PGD in Built Environment, Anant National University
Previous TEDx @Anant
TEDxAnantU
TEDxAnantU aims to bring together experts, practitioners and driven individuals to share ideas that will help youth to adapt to the ever-changing world. The event comprised talks by experts like Dr Benny Kuriakose (award-winning architectural consultant), Aparna Piramal Raje (renowned author & columnist), Hetal Shrivastav (Founder, RaasLeela Textile), Gurashish Sahni (Co-founder, ReCircle) and Khushi Jhankaria (design student and multi-instrumentalist).