The LEAD 100 Project – Leadership Excellence for Advancement and Development, a flagship initiative of the Human Welfare Foundation (HWF), was officially launched in New Delhi by Siraj Hussain (Retd. IAS), Chairman, Human Welfare Foundation; Sadatulla Hussaini, Former Trustee, HWF; T. Arifali, Chairman, Vision 2026; Mohd. Jafar, Vice Chairman, HWF; M Sajid, General Secretary, HWF; Dr. SQR Ilyas, Dr. Hasan Raza and Mujtaba Farooq, Trustees of HWF; and P K Noufal, CEO, HWF.
LEAD 100 is an ambitious national initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing 100 exceptionally talented students from underprivileged and backward communities. The programme will select 20 students each year during the first five years, creating a cohort of 100 students. Each selected student will then be supported through a long-term educational journey extending from higher secondary education to postgraduate and doctoral studies, at least up to the PhD level and, where feasible, beyond.
Beginning after Class X, the selected students will undergo residential education in Delhi during Classes XI and XII, receiving comprehensive academic support, financial assistance, personalised mentoring, career guidance and exposure to premier educational opportunities. The programme will subsequently continue to support them through undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral education.
Selection of the 20 students each year will be carried out through a three-tier selection process comprising an admission test, an interview and a two-day residential camp. The process is designed to identify not only academic potential but also leadership qualities, aptitude, character, commitment and the potential to contribute meaningfully to society.
Alongside academic excellence, LEAD 100 will place strong emphasis on leadership development, critical thinking, communication, character, ethical values and social responsibility. The programme will particularly focus on preparing students for leadership roles in six key areas: Public Policy, Law, Corporate Management, Social Enterprise, Technology and Civil Services.
Through sustained mentoring, exposure, capacity building and opportunities for intellectual and professional growth, LEAD 100 envisions creating a generation of ethical, competent, confident and socially committed leaders capable of making meaningful contributions to India and addressing the challenges of society.
The programme aims to build a strong national talent pipeline by identifying potential at an early stage and accompanying each student throughout their educational journey and into their chosen field of leadership. In the long run, LEAD 100 seeks to create individuals who combine professional excellence with integrity, leadership with social responsibility, and ambition with a commitment to the larger good.