China now has the world’s leading universities
Yellowdig's Founder on the Digital Transformation in Education
December 7, 2022
Discover why China's universities have surpassed the U.S. in global rankings for the first time, driven by their innovative online platforms and investments in cutting-edge technologies, in Shaunak Roy's insightful article. Explore how the pandemic has accelerated the shift towards online and hybrid learning, posing a challenge for traditional U.S. institutions to adapt swiftly or risk falling behind. Gain valuable insights on the crucial strategies for universities to thrive in the digital landscape and meet the evolving needs of students in today's educational market.
"Traditional universities need to catch up — fast — or they risk failing altogether. Established universities have had decades and, in many cases, centuries to aggrandize their physical environments so as to enrich the learning experiences of their students. Now they have only years to translate that experience to an ever-changing online world."
About the Author
Shaunak Roy
Shaunak Roy is the Founder and CEO of Yellowdig, a social collaboration platform that has gained recognition and adoption by over 150 colleges and universities, K-12 schools, and corporate training clients. With a mission to transform every classroom into an active, social, and experiential learning community, Yellowdig has become a leading player in the education technology industry.
Shaunak's educational journey started with a degree in mechanical engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. He then pursued his passion for learning further by completing his graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned two master degrees.
Before embarking on his entrepreneurial venture with Yellowdig, Shaunak gained valuable experience in various professional roles. He spent a decade as a management consultant, advising global companies on technology, strategy, and growth. Notably, he served as the Director of Business Development for FMC Corporation, a diversified chemical company listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of $5 billion. Shaunak's work with FMC Corporation, based in Philadelphia, honed his business acumen and provided him with insights into corporate operations.
Throughout his career, Shaunak remained captivated by the power of learning and the impact of social interactions. Observing his own academic experiences, he recognized the immense value of peer-to-peer learning and the lasting bonds formed during collaborative educational endeavors. With this insight, he set out to create a learning platform that leveraged the mechanics of social media and community engagement, leading to the inception of Yellowdig in 2015.
As a tech entrepreneur, Shaunak's vision for Yellowdig aligned with the evolving landscape of social connectivity as the backbone of the modern economy and lifelong learning. He saw an opportunity to harness the concept of social sharing through technology specifically for academic purposes, enabling students and educators to share ideas and knowledge seamlessly.
Aside from his professional pursuits, Shaunak is the proud father of two daughters and finds joy in observing their learning patterns and playing games with them. This firsthand experience of witnessing the learning process further fueled his commitment to Yellowdig's mission of creating dynamic and engaging educational environments.