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UMESH KUMAR GANDLA LADDAGIRI
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I am personally inspired by Śrī Īśopaniṣad mantra 11 and consciously strive to apply its principles in my daily life. I am deeply convinced that this balanced integration of material and spiritual knowledge represents a sustainable and universal way of living. With the intent to pioneer and make this wisdom accessible to thousands for their holistic benefit, I founded the Vidyāmṛt Foundation and initiated a micro-school based on these principles. This project emerges from lived practice, long-term commitment, and a sincere effort to translate profound philosophical insights into practical, inclusive educational models.
I bring over two decades of experience in education design, curriculum development, and implementation of alternative schooling and micro-school models in India. My work integrates Indian Knowledge Systems with contemporary pedagogy, translating classical texts into age-appropriate, non-doctrinal classroom practices. I have led multidisciplinary teams, designed experiential learning frameworks, and implemented classroom interventions aligned with both academic and holistic development goals. With hands-on experience in research-informed practice, teacher training, and program evaluation, I am well positioned to undertake this project with scholarly rigor, ethical sensitivity, and practical impact.
Education
2021
Startup Acceleration Program
ISB, Hyderabad
Received focused training in entrepreneurship, startup strategy, business models, funding, and scaling ventures, designed to translate ideas into sustainable, high-growth businesses.
2002 – 2004
Masters of Design
IIT - Delhi
Received advanced training in design thinking, product and systems design, complemented by a 6-month professional internship at Hero Global Design Studio, working on real-world automotive and product design projects. Graduated with 8.57 CGPA
1994 - 1999
Bachelors of Architecture
Andhra University
Graduated University Rank 1, with a strong foundation in architectural design, planning, structures, and spatial thinking, demonstrating consistent academic excellence.
Work Experience
2006 – Present,
Founder & Director,
DQ Labs Private Limited, Bengaluru.
Founded and leads an education organization focused on design thinking, innovation, and creative problem-solving. Designed and delivered structured programs for school and pre-university students. Mentored 25,000+ students, many admitted to IITs, NID, NIFT, SPAs, and other premier institutes.Conducted design thinking workshops for 20,000+ students and 2,000+ teachers. Responsible for curriculum design, faculty training, program delivery, sales & marketing and partnerships.
2024 - Present
Founding trustee,
DQ Foundation, Bengaluru
Provide strategic leadership in designing future-ready education programs that integrate creativity, problem-solving, and career orientation. Guide curriculum frameworks, mentor teams, oversee program quality, and support outreach initiatives aimed at transforming student potential into meaningful professional pathways.
2025 - Present
Founding Trustee,
Vidyāmṛt Foundation
Lead the vision to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems with contemporary education. Oversee micro-school design, research initiatives, curriculum development, and dissemination of value-based pedagogical models, ensuring inclusive, non-doctrinal application of IKS for holistic student development.
2018 – 2021
Co-founder and CEO'
XAMPLAY Edutech
Led the vision, strategy, and operations of an ed-tech startup focused on student engagement and assessment innovation. Drove product development, curriculum alignment, team building, partnerships, and pilot deployments, ensuring solutions addressed real classroom challenges and improved learning outcomes at scale.
2004 – 2013
Automotive Designer,
Global Design Studios
Jaguar Land Rover Design Studio (UK), Hyundai–Kia Motors Design Studio (USA), General Motors Design Studio (India). Worked in international automotive design studios across UK, USA, and India.Contributed to concept design, design research, and studio-based development projects.
2002 - 2004
Research Assistant,
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
1999 – 2002
Architect,
Visakhapatnam
Assisted in design-related academic research during postgraduate studies.
Practiced architecture with involvement in design development and execution.
Professional Recognition / Award / Prize :
India's Best Design Project Award - 2026
CII Design Award – 2020
NASSCOM Design4India Winner – 2019
UK E-Assessment Finalist – 2021
TEDx Speaker – Rekindle Creativity in School Kids - 2019 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flAzK-dJofs
Peer Reviewed Publications:
Springer Book Chapter. Scaling Design Education: Embracing Digital Pedagogy to Teach Design Thinking and Doing to a Wider Audience
Springer Nature, Chapter 20
Details of Patents:
Patent No. 431491. Assessment for Efficient Learning and Top Performance in Competitive Exams – System, Method, User Interface and Computer Application
Ongoing/completed Projects during the last 5 years:
Developed and piloted Thrive Program. THRIVE is a two-year, full-time integrated learning program after Grade 10, currently focused on Design, Architecture, and Fashion. Unlike regular schooling that emphasizes rote learning and exams, THRIVE blends academics with visual thinking and hands-on creation, helping students build strong portfolios, entrance readiness, and real-world skills.
Developed and piloted DEEP Program. DEEP (Design Exploration Program) introduces students of Grades 7–12 to 15 design disciplines through hands-on projects led by practicing design professionals. Unlike regular career counseling, which offers limited career exposure, DEEP enables students and parents to make informed, confident decisions about creative career pathways based on real experience.
Developed and piloted I4S Program. I4S (Innovation for Success) is a school-wide program for Grades 6–12 engaging over 250 students. It equips learners with empathy tools, design thinking frameworks, and AI applications to solve real-world problems, culminating in a one-minute video pitch showcasing research insights, ideation, and solution mock-ups.
Developed and piloted Young Designers Club. A creative program for school children of Grades 1–6 that systematically introduces design basics and creative problem-solving through age-appropriate, hands-on projects, helping young learners develop curiosity, observation, and confidence beyond routine classroom learning.
Guided Design Education is a structured program for CBSE schools where design is taught to students of Grades 6–12 through guided and deployed teaching by practicing design professionals, ensuring industry-aligned learning, practical exposure, and deeper understanding beyond textbook-based instruction.
Developed and organised Pan india Design Hackathon since 2019. Pan-India Design Hackathon is an annual two-day online guided event held during the first weekend of August. Open to students, graduates, professionals, and homemakers, it offers powerful, concentrated exposure to design thinking and the effective use of AI tools to solve complex real-world problems.
Founded and running Vidyāmṛt Foundation that nurtures spiritually grounded future leaders through integrated material education and Indian Knowledge Systems. Its activities include micro-schooling, curriculum innovation, teacher training, research and publications, and dissemination of IKS-informed pedagogical frameworks through workshops, reports, and outreach programs for wider educational impact.