Hotelier Ashish Dev Kapur Inspires at IIAD’s 11th Orientation Day
Award-winning Hotelier & Philanthropist Ashish Dev Kapur Sets the Tone for the Next Decade at IIAD’s 11th Orientation Day
New Delhi, India , August 08, 2025: Continuing its celebration of a glorious 10-year journey, the Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) proudly welcomed its eleventh batch (Class of 2025) with another landmark Orientation Day at the NCUI Auditorium, Hauz Khas, New Delhi. The event marked a significant moment in IIAD’s evolution, celebrating a decade of design excellence while ushering in a new cohort poised to shape the future of India’s creative economy.
The day commenced with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by a reflective address by Dr Jitin Chadha (Founder & CEO, IIAD), tracing IIAD’s decade-long journey of milestones and resilience. “There is no better way to orient you than to share a bit of our past, present, and what lies ahead,” he said. He highlighted its growth from a small cohort to more than 1,100 students today. “We are here to help you transition from school graduates to makers, designers and management professionals,” he added, emphasising IIAD’s three core pillars: design, innovation and technology. Concluding on an inspiring note, he called the incoming 11th cohort “extra special” as the torchbearers of IIAD’s evolving legacy, encouraging them to embrace this new chapter with curiosity and purpose.
Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest was Mr Ashish Dev Kapur, award-winning hotelier, restaurateur and water sustainability champion, founder of iconic brands such as Yo! China, Whisky Samba, Antares (Goa) and The Wine Company. In his eclectic talk, Mr Kapur urged students to push the boundaries of imagination, stating, “Make sure you design a life so bold that it doesn’t fit into your Instagram story.” Emphasising that design is a force far beyond conventional careers, he added, “These are not careers, these are superpowers.”
Prof. Usha Nehru Patel, Director–Academics, addressing the audience, described the Orientation event as “a journey to build a community of learners, innovators and risk-takers.” Urging students to “dream big, stay curious and search for answers where it is uncomfortable — not where it is easy,” she reminded them that design is a path of introspection and change, adding, “You are not here to be perfect—you are here to begin.”
The orientation event included a comprehensive digital presentation that introduced new students to each department. Faculty members from every department introduced themselves to students and their parents, providing valuable insights into the diverse academic offerings.
Addressing the new cohort, Ms Simrat Joshi, Chief Operating Officer, encouraged students to lean on campus support systems — from IT and library services to student support and workshops—while reminding them that protocols exist to maintain a safe, fair and positive environment. “The more you engage, the more meaningful these years will be,” she said.
The day concluded with a high tea, where students, parents, faculty and dignitaries mingled, fostering a warm sense of fellowship within the IIAD family. A decade of pushing boundaries—IIAD has actively contributed to the reimagining of design education in India, with its work reflected in evolving pedagogies, industry collaborations and student-led impact.