Rungta-Courtesy of Franklin College
FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) has awarded Franklin College educator Ruchika Rungta, Ph.D., a 2025 PALSave Open Educator Award. The award recognizes innovation and excellence in support of higher education, textbook affordability, and student success.
Rungta, an assistant professor of economics, joined the College in 2024. She earned a Ph.D. and a Master of Science in applied economics from Auburn University. Before pursuing graduate studies in the U.S., she completed a Master of Arts in Economics at Dr. Ambedkar University Delhi and a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Economics from the University of Delhi.
Franklin College is a supporting institution of the PALSave: PALNI Affordable Learning Program that funds the awards. It provides Open Educational Resources (OER) to help reduce the cost of higher education and increase resource accessibility for students. Rungta adopted OER in her classrooms.
She said, “I’ve used OER to make economics accessible, engaging, and relevant. No expensive textbooks, more flexibility, and up-to-date materials mean a dynamic, personalized learning experience designed to spark curiosity and understanding of economics.”
Only ten faculty members from PALNI’s 24 supporting institutions in Indiana were named Open Educator Award recipients for the year.
