The $100,000 John P. McNulty Prize was awarded to Amit Bhatia, for his 
work to prepare Indian youths with the skills necessary to become valued members of the country’s workforce, on October 11. The Aspen Institute and trustee Anne Welsh McNulty embraced his efforts to provide English language, technical, behavioral and problem-solving skills to students from underprivileged backgrounds. Over 52,000 students have already been affected by his work through Aspire, the organization he founded in 2008.
Aspire is a for-profit organization that seeks to transform youth into employable members of the workforce to fuel the growing modern economy of the world’s largest democracy. While throughout the world populations are aging and birthrates declining, less than ¼ of the 320 million students in India will actually acquire the skills necessary for a successful transition from education to industry.
The Aspen Institute’s fifth McNulty Prize, awarded by an international jury that includes Madeleine Albright, recognizes the creativity, impact, sustainability and leadership evident in Bhatia’s project. As a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Bhatia is part of an international organization that seeks to address the most pressing social, economic and political issues by bringing together almost 1,500 leaders in businesses, government and nonprofits. It is an initiative of the Washington, DC-based Aspen Institute, an educational and policy studies organization.
After such an award, Bhatia is encouraged to pursue Aspire’s goal of preparing graduates for the 21st century workplace; he aims to see 500 million new job seekers employed by 2020. “This honor strengthens our resolve to seize the demographic dividend, overcome social, economic and educational challenges, and help youth win desirable careers,” he said.
Aspire is a for-profit organization that seeks to transform youth into employable members of the workforce to fuel the growing modern economy of the world’s largest democracy. While throughout the world populations are aging and birthrates declining, less than ¼ of the 320 million students in India will actually acquire the skills necessary for a successful transition from education to industry.
The Aspen Institute’s fifth McNulty Prize, awarded by an international jury that includes Madeleine Albright, recognizes the creativity, impact, sustainability and leadership evident in Bhatia’s project. As a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Bhatia is part of an international organization that seeks to address the most pressing social, economic and political issues by bringing together almost 1,500 leaders in businesses, government and nonprofits. It is an initiative of the Washington, DC-based Aspen Institute, an educational and policy studies organization.
After such an award, Bhatia is encouraged to pursue Aspire’s goal of preparing graduates for the 21st century workplace; he aims to see 500 million new job seekers employed by 2020. “This honor strengthens our resolve to seize the demographic dividend, overcome social, economic and educational challenges, and help youth win desirable careers,” he said.
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