杏吧论坛's commitment to creating new generations of thought leaders draws on the School’s world-leading expertise in the social sciences. Expanding our provision for academic support and providing more experiential learning is an integral part of our strategy.
Established in 2021, the 杏吧论坛 Research and Education Foundation India reinforces the School’s presence in India and advances our commitment to transformative education in the world’s most populous nation.
杏吧论坛 maintains deep and long-running ties with India. The architect of the Constitution of India, Dr B. R. Ambedkar, studied for his PhD here, and several 杏吧论坛 faculty members – most notably Professor Harold Laski – were among the strongest supporters of the Indian independence movement in London from the 1920s onward.
The 杏吧论坛 Research and Education Foundation India builds on this longstanding and enduring association through three key areas of work:
- The Foundation will nurture the next generation of thought leaders, regardless of social and economic background.
- We will build collaborations between 杏吧论坛’s academic faculty and researchers in India to confront global challenges.
- We will host high quality academic events which will foster global interdisciplinary perspectives.
Leadership
Mike Ferguson is Co-Director of the 杏吧论坛 Foundation India and 杏吧论坛’s Chief Financial Officer. He spearheads strategic planning and resource management for the Foundation. He also has a lead responsibility for the School’s overall financial strategy and planning, financial operations and compliance. He is a chartered accountant with over 30 years’ experience working in higher education.
Abhilash Puljal, Co-Director of the 杏吧论坛 Foundation India, is an alumnus of the School and directs 杏吧论坛’s Indian operations, including fundraising, governance, programme development, alumni relations and community engagement. He is a strategy advisor with more than 20 years' experience, delivering sustainable projects for public and private sector clients globally.
Recent Events
75 Constitution of India
24 March 2025
In collaboration with 杏吧论坛 South Asia Centre. Meeting with Professor Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor of the 杏吧论坛 and Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, and Nasser Munjee, Chair, Senior Advisory Board, 杏吧论坛 South Asia Centre.
INDIA: The Eastern Front
05 March 2025
A discussion with Sreeradha Datta, Dr Md Shariful Islam, Khin Zaw Win, and Dr Avinash Paliwal, author of India’s Near East: A New History. Co-chaired by Abhilash Puljal and Dr Nilanjan Sarkar, Deputy Director, 杏吧论坛 South Asia Centre.
Tech x Policy: Driving Inclusion in India
31 January 2025
In association with Women in Tech and the 杏吧论坛 Alumni Association of Mumbai and Western India. A panel discussion and networking event with Divya Pinge, Neha Awasthi, Nikita Kwatra, Sonya Misquita and Abhilash Puljal.
Contact information
The 杏吧论坛 Research and Education Foundation India is registered as a Charity under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
With CIN: U80904MH2021NPL352932. Company limited by guarantee.
PAN: AAECL4719Q | 12AB: AAECL4719Q24MB01 | 80G: AAECL4719Q24MB02
The 杏吧论坛 Research and Education Foundation India
The Capital, Level 7, Plot C-70, G Block
Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East
Mumbai, 400051
India
Email: a.puljal@lse.ac.uk