Rostrum Education: Sanjan Anand on Navigating the Future of Global Admissions and AI
For many students, the dream of an Ivy League or Oxbridge education feels like navigating a labyrinth without a map. Sanjan Anand, co-founder of Rostrum Education, built his firm to be that map—a comprehensive "all-under-one-roof" sanctuary for global university aspirants.
Starting as a tutoring service born from his own frustrations as a high school student in Delhi, Sanjan and his co-founder Getharth Khanna have transformed Rostrum into a global powerhouse with offices in Delhi, Dubai, and Hong Kong. Their mission? To move beyond simple "admissions consulting" and focus on building global citizens through exposure, responsibility, and the right skill sets.
The Emotional Equation
Education, like healthcare, is an emotionally driven industry. Parents view education as an invaluable investment in their child's future, making it resilient to economic shifts. Rostrum leverages this trust by focusing on merit-based preparation rather than simple placement.
The Genesis: Solving the 'Tutor-Hopping' Problem
The idea for Rostrum Education didn't come from a boardroom, but from the backseats of cars in Delhi. While studying at Shriram School, Sanjan and Getharth found themselves traveling across the city to different tutors for different subjects. "We thought, why not combine all subjects and give tuition support under one roof?" Sanjan recalls.
What started as a tutoring center quickly pivoted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when exams were canceled and traditional assessment models crumbled, the need for expert university counseling skyrocketed. Rostrum filled the gap, expanding into standardized testing prep, Oxbridge admissions, and most recently, career services to help students land jobs at top law firms and financial institutions.
The Merit-First Model
In an industry often clouded by "tie-up based" consulting—where firms receive kickbacks from universities for placements—Rostrum takes a different path. They charge the student and focus exclusively on top-tier, merit-based admissions to universities like Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford.
Consultant Types: Mass-Based vs. Merit-Based
Mass-Based: Focus on tie-up universities where the company receives a commission for each student. This often leads to students being placed in universities below their potential.
Merit-Based (Rostrum): Focus on high-level preparation for competitive universities. Preparation often starts as early as Grade 9, focusing on building a profile that stands out to global admissions committees.
AI in Education: Integration over Competition
As AI tools like ChatGPT begin to dominate student assignments, the debate over the future of education has intensified. Sanjan believes the key is integration, not resistance. "If you merge with it, you're going to win. If you're against it, you're going to lose," he asserts, echoing sentiments from AI pioneers like Sam Altman.
While AI can process data faster and provide suggested solutions, Sanjan argues that it cannot replace the human element of decision-making and mentorship. "A professor or a mentor has years of tangible physical experience. AI can provide the resource, but a human must process it with experience to take an informed decision."
The Rostrum Impact
- 5,000+ Students Helped: Guided students across the globe to top-tier universities.
- Global Presence: Operating out of Delhi, Dubai, and Hong Kong.
- Under One Roof: Combining tutoring, counseling, testing prep, and career services.
The Shift to Skill-Building
Sanjan sees a major pivot coming in higher education. As the value of a traditional degree is scrutinized, the focus is shifting toward practical application and skill-building. "Education by itself gets you to a certain level, but employability is about skills," he explains.
The future of education, according to Sanjan, lies in a "theory + practical + skill" model. By identifying a student's strengths and weaknesses at a young age and inculcating long-term vision, institutions can move away from "bookish knowledge" and toward creating adaptable individuals ready for a super-competitive job market.
Admissions Wisdom
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Spreading your risks across multiple countries (US, UK, Canada, Singapore) allows you to navigate geopolitical shifts and find the best ROI for your education investment.
Key Takeaways
- Start Early: Preparation for top universities is a multi-year journey, not a last-minute application.
- Focus on Life Skills: Education abroad is as much about independent decision-making and responsibility as it is about the curriculum.
- Embrace AI: Use technology to find resources and increase efficiency, but maintain the human intelligence required for final decision-making.
- Skills > Degrees: In the future job market, specialized skills and analytical thinking will outweigh simple rote learning.
About the Guest
Sanjan Anand is the co-founder of Rostrum Education. An engineer by training who studied in Singapore and the US, Sanjan returned to India to bridge the gap in the education consultancy market. Alongside his high school friend Getharth Khanna, he has built a firm that prioritizes merit, transparency, and the holistic development of students on the global stage.
Rostrum Education is an all-encompassing education consultancy firm that provides tutoring, university counseling, and career services. With a focus on top-tier global universities and a merit-first approach, Rostrum helps students navigate the complexities of international admissions while building the skills necessary for long-term career success.