Advisory Board
At Indira University, the Advisory Board plays a vital role in providing us with strategic direction and keeping us aligned with our vision and mission. Our Advisory Board comprises eminent professionals who have proven their mettle in diverse industries. These industry experts and academicians offer invaluable insights, helping us create an industry-integrated program structure incorporating evolving market trends and demands. Their expertise ensures that our programs are relevant and impactful, empowering the students with the essential skills and knowledge to boost their careers.
The Advisory Board also contributes to encouraging innovation, helping us adopt contemporary learning methodologies, elevating our industry connections, and consistently improving our institutional excellence. Their vast experience and deep knowledge helps us to enhance students’ employability. We are privileged to be guided by the accomplished board members, who share our goal of shaping competent and socially responsible professionals.
Advisory Board Members
University President and also member of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI), Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez is an eminent laureate of the Gusi Peace Prize International for 2019. She received this award for exemplary work and leadership initiatives in the academe. Dr. Enriquez was bestowed with an Education Leadership Award by ACB - the Asian Confederation of Businesses. She received this award for driving excellence in the leadership principles application and business situations.
Mr. Chetan Wakalkar is a distinguished educationist and strategic thinker, recognized for his pioneering contributions to the field of higher education in India. As an Advisory Board Member of Indira University, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s academic vision and long-term strategy. With a deep understanding of global educational trends and a passion for innovation, Mr. Chetan Wakalkar has been instrumental in driving transformational initiatives that enhance academic excellence, industry relevance, and student success. He has also written a self-development and self-transformation book titled "Corporate Yoddha – Unleash the Power of Qu in You", aimed at helping individuals unlock their inner potential and lead with purpose.
Mr. Shashi Bhat established Gryphon Academy as a Non-Ed-Tech organization to bridge the gap between academic and industry needs. Mr. Bhat envisions to empower the students with critical practical skills. With more than 15 years of expertise in academia and corporate relations, he and his company have been offering exceptional career opportunities to students. Gryphon Academy has a vast network of industry leaders, ensuring continued professional growth and excellent placement support to the students.
Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, the Executive Chairman and Founder of 5F World, has achieved success through Vision Communities and Innovation. He is featured in two case studies at Harvard Business School. Dr. Natarajan has received several awards and recognitions like the Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIT Bombay and NITIE, recognized by EY and the Asia Pacific HR Forum for excellence in technology entrepreneurship and people-centric leadership. He is a prolific speaker and has authored thirteen books and many columns on topics like Knowledge Management, Digital Success, and Leadership.
Pandit Shounak Abhisheki is an Indian vocalist and composer of classical, semi-classical, and devotional music forms. Pandit Jee’s fame is not restricted to Indian music festivals. He has performed various concerts in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the Persian Gulf, and Thailand. His awards and recognitions include Pune Ki Asha Puraskar, Zee Gaurav Puraskar, Balgandharva Puraskar, N.C.P.A. Excellence Award, Symbiosis University Cultural Award, Pt. Dinanath Mangeshkar Puraskar by Marathi Natyaparishad, etc.
Dr. Prachee Javdekar, an expert academician and the Director of Javadekar Educational Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd., has more than forty years of rich experience in research and training. Dr. Javedkar has authored more than 25 books, 500 leadership training sessions, six case studies, over a thousand articles, and several webinars for various organizations. The belief that education plays a pivotal role in the growth of an individual deeply commits her to augment the quality of education in the country.
With an ambition to help the nation become a Frugal Technology Innovation hub, Mr. Rajan Nawani has been consistently striving to connect India to the world through digital innovation. As a Vice Chairman and MD of the Jetline Group of Companies, Founder and CEO of Jetsynthesys, and National Chairman of CII’s Council on Future Businesses, his focus on leading nationwide transformations such as the Founder Trustee of India@75, has been remarkable. Mr. Nawani has also gained a rich experience in NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland, USA.
Dr. R. L. Bhatia, the CEO - Fun and Joy at work, is a Change Management and Organisation Turnaround Specialist. He is not just an influential businessperson but also an author, a trainer, and a coach. His role in the paradigm for Quality & Leadership has been remarkable. Having worked for several corporations across the world including Standard Chartered Bank, Tata Exports Ltd., and Ernst & Young in different parts of the world like Singapore, Malaysia, USA, and Dubai, his journey has been quite enriching and helped him develop a wide perspective on management-related issues.
Nirmiti Sawant is a Marathi actress, who has made a prominent place for herself in cinema, television, and drama. With a rich repertoire of acclaimed films and theatrical performances, she has been able to elevate her popularity in the art industry. Ms. Sawant has been entertaining Marathi film audiences for over twenty years now. She earned widespread recognition after achieving the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Comedian – Jhimma (The Film).
Dr. Rakhi Gupta, currently working as a Coordinator and Assistant Professor (B.Sc IT, M.Sc. IT, and B Voc (WT) Departments) in K.C. College, Mumbai has a rich academic profile. She completed her PhD. in Computer Engineering from the College of Engineering, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune. Dr. Gupta wishes to make noteworthy contributions in emerging areas of study like Software Testing, Big data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Data Analytics, and Cyber Security.
Hitesh Jain, an alumnus of LLM - London School of Economics, has an extensive experience of 24 years in litigation including civil, criminal, commercial, and constitutional cases. He has represented his clients in the Supreme Court of India, High Courts and district courts, competition commissions, consumer forums, TDSAT, etc. He has guided many top media and Bollywood personalities in their legal matters. His long list of global clientele covers jurisdictions like the U.S.A, Dubai, France, Singapore, Turkey, UK, etc.
Mr. Anand Kumar is the founder of Super 30, a noble initiative that helps underprivileged students prepare for the IIT-JEE entrance exam. His philosophy of transforming lives through education is commendable! His name was featured in Time magazine's list of Best of Asia 2010. In 2023, he received the Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India for his work in literature and education. His contribution has enabled many students to achieve their academic dreams.
Dr. Pragya D. Yadav, a scientist at the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), made substantial contributions in communicable diseases and highly pathogenic viral infections fields. She was one of the scientists who detected the first three COVID-19 pandemic cases in India. She led the team that developed Covaxin, the first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine in the country. She has been conferred with many accolades and recognition like the Dr. K. M. Bhansali Oration Award, Dr. T Ramchandra Rao Award in Medical Entomology, Young Scientist Award in Molecular Biology, etc.