At CSR South 2025, held on March 16, 2025, at Shilpakala Vedika, Hyderabad, Dr. Archana Mantri, Vice Chancellor of Anurag University, led an impactful discussion on the integration of research and innovation into CSR strategies. She emphasized how corporate-academic collaborations can drive long-term social impact and sustainable development.
Bridging Academia and CSR for Sustainable Change
Dr. Archana Mantri highlighted how universities and corporations can work together to develop scalable solutions to global challenges. She underscored the critical role of academic institutions in advancing CSR initiatives through innovation, impact measurement, and ethical business practices.
“The shift from being knowledge-driven to intellectually-driven CSR fulfills the objectives of NGOs, corporates, and helps in training socially responsible graduates,” she stated, emphasizing the need for research-backed CSR models.
Key Takeaways from Dr. Archana Mantri’s Session
✔ CSR Beyond Philanthropy: Companies should transition from one-time donations to long-term, research-backed CSR strategies that integrate profitability, community welfare, and sustainability.
✔ University-Corporate Partnerships: Academic institutions can support CSR by developing innovative solutions, fostering skilled talent, and conducting data-driven impact assessments.
✔ Educating Socially Responsible Leaders: Universities play a pivotal role in shaping future professionals who are not only technically proficient but also socially responsible.
Academia-Industry Collaboration: A Path to Sustainable CSR
Under Dr. Mantri’s leadership, Anurag University is at the forefront of research-based CSR projects, helping businesses align their social initiatives with sustainability goals. Her session reinforced the importance of industry-academia partnerships in creating lasting societal impact.
Her presentation urged corporations to invest in university-driven research to ensure CSR efforts are innovative, scalable, and truly transformative.