Advisory Board
August 26, 2025 2025-09-30 16:32Advisory Board
Dr. Prabhu Aggarwal
Dr. Prabhu Aggarwal, Vice Chancellor of Bennett University in Greater Noida, is a distinguished academic leader with over 30 years of experience that spans academia, industry, and consultancy. Under his visionary leadership, Bennett University has flourished, emerging as a prominent institution in the Delhi NCR region, currently serving over 8,500 students. His strategic approach to education has been instrumental in positioning the university at the forefront of academic excellence and innovation.
Before joining Bennett University, Dr. Aggarwal held several key positions, including President of NIIT University and founding Vice Chancellor of OP Jindal University. In these roles, he spearheaded initiatives that promoted cutting-edge educational practices and facilitated strong industry partnerships, shaping both curriculum and research to meet global needs. His tenure as Chief Learning Officer at Jindal Steel and Power Group further showcased his expertise, where he transformed organizational learning for 25,000 employees, aligning education with the evolving demands of the industrial sector.
Dr. Aggarwal also brings extensive experience from nearly two decades at the Mason School of Business, College of William & Mary, where he specialized in Operations and Supply Chain Management. In addition, he founded Eduserve Global Associates, a consultancy that served leading global corporations such as Bank of America and Dell, enhancing business operations through tailored education and training programs.
A passionate advocate for educational innovation, Dr. Aggarwal holds a Ph.D. and MBA in Operations Management from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a B.Tech from IIT Kanpur. His broad expertise in both academic leadership and industry collaborations continues to drive his mission to elevate education as a key driver of socio-economic development.
Prof. (Dr.) Manish Bhalla
Prof. Manish Bhalla is a distinguished academic leader with over 30 years of experience in higher education, research, and quality assurance. He holds a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Lucknow and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), London.
Beginning his academic career in 1998, Prof. Bhalla has held senior roles including Founding Registrar and Professor at SRM University, Haryana, where he steered NAAC A+ accreditation and managed key statutory bodies. He has also served as Assistant Director at AICTE, contributing to national technical education policy.
His research career spans over 28 years, with significant contributions to medicinal chemistry and inflammation research. Prof. Bhalla has received prestigious fellowships and awards, presented at international conferences in Canada, Japan, and beyond, and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. He is currently an Associate Researcher on an international collaborative project with the Foundation for Support and Research of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP), Bennett University, and University of São Paulo, Brazil (2023–2027).
Prof. Bhalla has visited and collaborated with academic and scientific communities across France, Japan, Canada, the USA, and the Netherlands, enriching his global perspective on education and research.
As Vice Chancellor to DY Patil International University Pune, he focuses on institutional growth, accreditation excellence, and advancing quality assurance frameworks. Under his leadership, efforts toward NAAC, NBA, AACSB, and AMBA accreditations are underway, alongside strategic initiatives for national and global university rankings (NIRF, QS, THE).
Mr. Vishal Gupta
Mr. Vishal Gupta is a visionary leader whose transformative influence spans over three decades in global operations, strategic leadership, and innovation. His career began at IDP, where, as Regional Director – South Asia & Global Shared Services, he orchestrated large-scale operations that set global benchmarks for excellence in international education. Under his leadership, South Asia became a global leader, and Mr. Gupta played a pivotal role in the historic transition of the IELTS business from the British Council to IDP in India, revolutionizing the testing landscape and significantly expanding IDP’s market presence.
Mr. Gupta’s ability to drive change and inspire innovation earned him numerous accolades, including five consecutive Global CEO Awards for Outstanding Leadership and the National Leadership Excellence Award for Education Transformation. His leadership extended across various functional areas, demonstrating his versatile understanding of the international education ecosystem. His strategic oversight helped streamline operations and fostered critical global relationships, contributing significantly to IDP’s long-term success.
After nearly three decades in corporate leadership, Mr. Gupta pivoted to a new mission: nation-building through philanthropy. Now focused on social impact, he mentors young leaders, shapes grassroots development strategies, and is deeply involved in national education initiatives. His work spans youth empowerment, education reform, and community resilience, all driven by a passion for building a more equitable and prosperous future for communities in India and beyond.
A lifelong learner, Mr. Gupta holds a Postgraduate degree in Commerce, ICWAI, an MBA, and has completed advanced executive programs in Leadership from ISB Hyderabad, Strategic Planning from The Wharton School, and Project Management from Kepner-Tregoe. His distinguished career also includes senior leadership roles at Reliance Industries, Reebok, VLCC Healthcare, and Avon, where he consistently drove growth, innovation, and long-lasting operational frameworks. Today, Mr. Gupta continues to redefine leadership by combining his legacy of excellence with a commitment to social transformation.
Mrs. Monika Jain
Mrs. Monika Jain is a masterful blend of an artist and educationist—a visionary whose leadership has beautifully crafted the educational landscape of India. Her steadfast passion for educational excellence and social impact has transformed numerous institutions, making them centers of creativity and knowledge. Mrs. Jain’s journey epitomizes the intersection of dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep commitment to advancing education.
Her partnership with her husband, Mr. Rohit Jain, marked the beginning of her journey into education, as they co-founded the Shail Group. Today, Mrs. Jain’s creative vision continues to shape and guide the Group’s multifaceted ventures, ensuring that each institution it nurtures grows into a beacon of academic excellence.
Mrs. Jain has woven a tapestry of innovation, ensuring that students not only gain knowledge but are also inspired to think critically and creatively. Her work reflects the artist’s touch, where every school, every program, and every initiative is designed to nurture the potential of each individual, blending academic rigor with creative exploration.
Her leadership and strategic insights into educational development are coupled with a deep belief in fostering creativity and expression in every student, ensuring that they are not just academically competent, but also creative and socially responsible. Mrs. Jain’s legacy is one of inspiring the next generation of learners, encouraging them to see education not just as a tool for success, but as a canvas for innovation and self-expression.
Mr. Akshay Jain
Mr. Akshay Jain is a performance-focused executive with a wealth of experience in credit, analytics, and the fintech space. He has a proven track record of driving organizational objectives in demanding environments, with expertise across multiple domains including credit, operations, sales, strategy, and M&A. His leadership is marked by his ability to execute complex initiatives, driving success through innovative and energetic strategies.
In his current role at ICRA, Mr. Jain is responsible for scaling up the company’s revenue streams by leading new business initiatives, including collaborations with international partners, M&A opportunities, and implementing business transformation strategies. He plays a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiencies at the Group ICRA level, contributing significantly to the company’s growth and global positioning.
Previously, at CredAvenue, Mr. Jain was instrumental in the establishment of Yubi Build, a new debt platform serving the infrastructure and real estate sectors. As Chief Business Officer, he oversaw the platform's development from inception to commercialization, managing P&L responsibilities and preparing Business Requirements Documents (BRDs). Under his leadership, the platform launched its Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in a record time of five months and successfully onboarded more than 100 lenders and 80 issuers, with a total debt ask of $1.5 billion within just six months.
Throughout his career, Mr. Jain has earned a reputation as a trusted partner, managing a large portfolio of clients and a team of analysts across India. His expertise in leading complex rating projects and structured debt transactions has given him in-depth knowledge of industry dynamics and business strategies. Mr. Jain is known for his ability to analyze and model financial and operational performance, perform sensitivity analysis, and conduct stress testing, establishing him as a key figure in the credit and fintech sectors.
Ms. Janvi Jain
Ms. Janvi Jain is a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Psychologist (RCI No. A98830) with a robust understanding of clinical psychology and a wide array of psychological theories. She is committed to fostering student well-being and supporting their mental, emotional, and behavioral growth within the educational context. With proficiency in diagnostic assessments, therapeutic interventions, and psychological counseling, Ms. Jain employs methods like cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and emotion-focused therapy to guide students in overcoming challenges and enhancing their academic and personal development.
Currently pursuing her Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology from Amity University, Ms. Jain is continuously enhancing her expertise in areas that directly benefit educational environments. Passionate about supporting students in both their academic journey and career development, she helps them make informed decisions about their future.
