How LEAP is empowering future-ready graduates through experiential learning, Design Thinking, and holistic leadership
Let’s be honest, the world doesn’t need another graduate who knows how to cram for exams. What it does need is curious, courageous, and compassionate young people ready to lead with purpose. And that’s exactly what we’re building at CMR University through something close to my heart, the LEAP programme.
LEAP stands for Learning, Engagement & Advancement Programmes. It is not just another catchy acronym. It’s a deeply thought-out initiative that reimagines what a student’s journey should look like in the 21st century.
Why LEAP?
Higher education today must do more than deliver academic content. We have to shape human beings who are thoughtful, responsible, resilient and capable of making a real impact in their communities and workplaces.
That’s why LEAP was launched in 2021, as a core part of every student’s life at CMR University. It’s not an optional add-on. It’s a requirement because skills like empathy, communication, leadership, and innovation aren’t ’soft skills’ anymore. They’re survival skills.
I often tell students: “If your attitude isn’t right, who will hire you?” Employers today want people who think critically, work well with others, and take initiative. So we designed LEAP to make sure our students are ready for that and for life.
So, what does LEAP actually involve?
The programme is built around six key focus areas, each one carefully curated to nurture a different aspect of student growth:
Interdisciplinary education & innovation: We break silos. We encourage students to see problems from different angles as that’s where the best ideas come from.
Leadership, mentorship & training: Students learn how to lead with empathy and integrity. We don’t just talk about leadership, we put students in charge.
Communication & writing: Being able to express yourself clearly is everything. Whether it’s in a boardroom or on social media, we teach students how to own their voice.
CMRUxCommunity: This is about belonging. Students build deep connections within the campus and with the world beyond it.
Social impact: We believe in learning through service. From volunteering to awareness drives, students contribute meaningfully to real-world causes.
Step one: For first-year students, this is their launchpad. We help them transition smoothly into university life and build emotional resilience from day one.
Learning by doing, because that’s what sticks
One of the most powerful parts of LEAP is its experiential learning model. We don’t want students to just know things — we want them to do things.
Design Thinking is embedded in how we approach learning. Whether it’s through hands-on projects, internships, or community collaborations, we make sure students apply theory to real life.
Our CMRUxCommunity and Social Impact streams, for instance, get students out of the classroom and into the heart of Bengaluru. From grassroots campaigns to working with NGOs, they experience what it means to be a changemaker.
Leadership that’s lived, not taught
Every student at CMRU is assessed on their LEAP journey starting from their very first semester. Everything they do beyond academics contributes to their LEAP score, which is reflected at graduation.
We run bootcamps, fests, theatre clubs, debates, leadership challenges and it’s all student-led. That’s how they learn to manage teams, speak in public, handle failure, and celebrate wins.
Currently, we have around 80–85 student clubs from performing arts and coding to writing and sustainability, all aligned with NAAC accreditation guidelines. And through them, students discover who they are and what they stand for.
What LEAP really stands for
At the heart of it all, LEAP is about growth. It’s about preparing students not just for a job, but for a life filled with purpose, leadership, and impact.
It makes me incredibly proud to see our students evolve into thoughtful leaders; individuals who can hold their own in a global conversation and make a difference wherever they go.
Because that’s what the world needs. And that’s what LEAP stands for.