Arizona State University graduate Mudit Lal is already looking beyond commencement to the businesses he plans to scale across India. Lal was among more than 12,000 students who graduated from ASU this week, earning a bachelor’s degree in robotics and technological entrepreneurship and management as he prepares to return to his hometown in India, to grow his ventures in design, automation and quick commerce.
Looking ahead, Lal plans to centralize his 12-person team in a new office in Lucknow. He is also building Oshm, a tech platform to support India’s booming quick-commerce market, and launching a robotics automation company that will lease robots to manufacturing plants.
Lal, who founded the company Devalok while studying at ASU, said the university’s focus on innovation and accessibility reshaped his understanding of higher education.
Collaborating with Brent Sebold, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Lal developed a search engine to help students and startups navigate ASU’s vast library of entrepreneurship resources. He credits courses with ASU President Michael Crow and physics Professor Pavan Pillalamarri for influencing his approach to learning and leadership. “Those classes taught me to think 10 steps ahead and see how different pieces of information connect,” Lal said.
“I truly fell in love with ASU after I came here,” said Lal, who originally hoped to attend an Ivy League school. While based at ASU’s Polytechnic campus, Lal also launched the India Policy and Economy Research Club, worked at the International Students and Scholars Center and served as a residential peer mentor, helping other international students adjust to college life.
Connecting with other students and understanding and adapting to American culture can be vital to an international student’s success at a U.S. university. The ISSC offers workshops and events to help students make connections and feel a sense of belonging in their new home.
ASU ranks No. 1 for hosting international students and has numerous resources in place for the more than 20,000 international students who study at the university. The ISSC assists students with essential immigration processes to maintain eligibility to study in the U.S. But ISSC’s support goes beyond paperwork. Nearly as important is the work it does to help international students feel at home through activities such as game and karaoke nights, coffee hours, and even a Thanksgiving celebration.
Armed with a degree and the knowledge and experience he gained at ASU, Lal is ready to make a strong impact in his native India. “If we really want humanity to progress, we need high-quality education for every deserving student,” said Lal.