About Us
Ascend Educational Foundation(AEF)
To bring about this much wanted change towards creating a more literate and knowledge centric nation, ASCEND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (AEF) is conceptualised as a not-for-profit initiative for playing a meaningful role in this context.
AEF was conceived and established in 2016, with the objective of providing much needed support to improve the literacy levels to the underprivileged section of society. It was also planned to provide support for the holistic development of the beneficiaries through continuous involvement of the Foundation and its members in ensuring the objectives and the mission of the Foundation are met.
To effectively manage the activities, AEF has constituted a Board of Trustees with a minimum strength of three constituent members, apart from the Founding Trustee. The Board is headed by the Founding Trustee who will be supported by other members of the Board. All members of the Board have adequate academic achievements along with work experience in their own chosen field of profession.
The AEF Board of Trustees defines the evaluation criteria for choosing the beneficiaries. It then communicates its plans for making this out-reach program effective, to create a sound database for evaluation and sieving.
Ascend Educational Foundation
To bring about this much wanted change towards creating a more literate and knowledge centric nation, ASCEND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (AEF) is conceptualised as a not-for-profit initiative for playing a meaningful role in this context.
AEF was conceived and established in 2016, with the objective of providing much needed support to improve the literacy levels to the underprivileged section of society. It was also planned to provide support for the holistic development of the beneficiaries through continuous involvement of the Foundation and its members in ensuring the objectives and the mission of the Foundation are met.
In the first year of operation, AEF supported 8 children, all studying in different grades in various schools. Due to the pandemic in the years 2020 -21, the growth trajectory towards ramping up the numbers was hampered. Currently, in the year 2025, AEF has grown to support 37 children, with many studying in colleges and this includes professional institutions too. So far 15 students have completed their academic programs during the last 8 years, some including post-graduation and all of them have got placed well professionally.
To effectively manage the activities, AEF has constituted a Board of Trustees with a minimum strength of three constituent members, apart from the Founding Trustee. The Board is headed by the Founding Trustee who will be supported by other members of the Board. All members of the Board have adequate academic achievements along with work experience in their own chosen field of profession.
The AEF Board of Trustees defines the evaluation criteria for choosing the beneficiaries.
Trustees
K SRINIVASAN
After completing an undergraduate degree in Physics, pursued an Electronics Engineering program at the Madras Institute of Technology. Later, earned a Master’s in Business Administration and spent over 20 years in the private sector, holding various roles, including senior management positions. Transitioned to a socio-entrepreneurial venture and now actively engages with the younger generation, focusing on ethics and values.
SASHI SHANKAR
Sashi Shankar has completed his undergraduate in Chemical Engineering from AC College of Technology. He went on to complete his Management education from SPJIMR- Mumbai. He has over 35 years of experience in the Consumer Durables, Consumer Goods and Telecom industries. He has held Senior positions in Marketing in various reputed organisations. He superannuated in 2019 as the CMO of Vodafone Idea Ltd. He is now engaged in the Social Sector and is a Director in LifeBlood Council, an NGO promoting the need for Blood adequacy and engaged in Prevention, Care and Cure of Thalassemia.
A Venkatesan
Graduate engineer in Electrical and Electronics engineering, from College of Engineering Guindy. Started the professional career in the erstwhile English Electric as a graduate apprentice and retired as the Regional director marketing,in the same organisation, later renamed as Alstom.