Chennai: Former ICICI Bank Limited chairman and Chancellor of Krea University Narayana Vaghul and Ashok Jhunjhunwala, President, IIT Madras Research Park & Incubation Cell launched ‘LEAD the Journey – Catalysing Change, Enabling Transformative Solutions’-a coffee table book that chronicles nearly two decades of impact research undertaken by IFMR
Society and Krea University’s research center LEAD.
LEAD’s roots can be traced to an initial seed funding from the ICICI Bank’s Social Initiative Group in 2005, which laid the foundation for an innovative research platform. A pioneer of action research in the country, and one of the first research centers incubated by the IFMR-Krea ecosystem, LEAD provides a unique opportunity for academics of various disciplines, practitioners, researchers, and students to learn together through real-world
experiences, thus strengthening local capacity for rigorous field-based research in India. A release from Krea University said today.
Speaking at the launch, LEAD’s Executive Director Sharon Buteau said that “Knowledge creation is a powerful tool for positive impact, provided it can be shared and ultimately used. From some of the earliest product innovations in microfinance to unpacking the growth dynamics of small businesses, we have seen first-hand the immense potential of testing powerful, innovative ideas on the ground. Through this book, we are telling
the story of our own journey before charting our next chapter.”
“We are also upbeat about LEAD’s next phase – LEAD X – which will focus on disruptive solutions for critical development problems that remain intractable”, he said.
The book release also coincided with the inauguration of LEAD’s new office at IIT Madras Research Park. LEAD is a member of IITMRP’s “Fintech for Inclusion” ecosystem which includes partners from industry and academia working towards enhancing access to critical financial services for underserved segments, through collaboration and innovation.
