Amrita Sadarangani to Lead Academic Operations and Research Strategy at York Mumbai Campus

The York UK university Mumbai campus has appointed Amrita Sadarangani as the new Chief Academic Services Officer; this is a significant step for the institution in India as it extends its reach. Amrita, formerly with Ashoka University as Senior Director and Head of Global Research Alliances, claims an important share in shaping the higher education landscape in India. The new role will oversee York Mumbai's academic operations, research support, and student success according to the York-Mumbai research and education strategy in turning York into a university for the public good. Leadership and Vision Amrita will lead academic operations and strategy for the York campus in India, forge partnerships with the industry and research organisations and oversee educational services.

On her part, she stated that she was very much interested in establishing a unique experience for students and researchers of India while converging both academic cultures of Mumbai and York to forge a vibrant, dynamic environment. She emphasised how research was embedded in the York Mumbai campus from its inception and how the institution would build on that foundation to its fullest potential.

By bringing UK and Indian expertise together and engaging with Mumbai's business, financial and creative ecosystems, the university aimed to create a student experience marked not only by academic excellence but also holistic development. Experience and Background Amrita comes with over 20 years of experience in higher education, research and public engagement. Her previous assignments include Executive Director of the partnership between the University of Edinburgh and Gujarat Biotechnology University, strengthening GBU's position as a postgraduate institution with a strong research thrust. Before this, she had founded and headed the South Asia Regional Centre of the University of Edinburgh for 11 years, thus also cementing academic and research presence across India and neighbouring countries.

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor at the University of York, commented that Amrita brings extensive knowledge of the Indian higher education sector into this new community at Mumbai. He explained how, under the aegis of Amrita, York will come to establish a globally-connected campus with an outstanding research-intensive university providing excellent student education.

This is followed by an appointment stating Professor Lindsay Oades as Provost of the York University global campus in India. The new UK university campus in Mumbai will open in 2026 and will run undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, Business, Economics and the Creative Industries, designed to meet the input of international partners from industry for the development of these programmes to ensure that the students prepare themselves for fast-evolving global sectors and greater career pathways in India. Officials concur that strong research cloisters the offerings at the new campus and will cater to India's innovation agenda in areas such as food security, environmental change and emerging technologies. This is going with the wider picture of transnational education UK-India and the importance of India-UK university partnerships in solving many global challenges.

The University of York in India opens a cross-border university campus that is supposed to strengthen higher education in Mumbai and Maharashtra. The new campus carries the highlights of public good in York, engaged with India's large public good ambition, as it stands for the significance of a UK university opening in India. The appointment of Amrita Sadarangani to the position of Chief Academic Services Officer demonstrates that York is committed to balancing the UK and Indian academic cultures, building strong industry engagement, and delivering research-led education. This will reinforce public interest as York prepares to open in Mumbai because it supports the dual notion of academic excellence and industry relevance in the future higher education landscape, which fosters innovation and opportunity for generations to come.

Editor’s Note:

This appointment is optimistic for a campus that now welcomes a leader with more than twenty years of experience in higher education, research, and public engagement. Amrita has primed herself for the role in academics and industry collaboration in India; now, with her expertise, she shall steer York into Mumbai in successful academic operations, on the promise of research-led education and student success for campus life. This will change in so many other ways. Under her, York would balance UK and Indian academic cultures, forge stronger industry engagement, and build a unique student experience. The campus will embed research early on and align with India’s innovation agenda regarding food security, environmental change, and emerging technologies.

Skoobuzz mentioned that this appointment shows York's long-standing commitment to a globally connected campus in Mumbai, both academically excellent and industry-relevant. It reinforces the public interest in higher education that meets both local and global aspirations and heralds the role of cross-border campuses as agents of innovation, opportunity, and long-term impact for future generations.

FAQs

1. Why has the University of York appointed Amrita Sadarangani at its Mumbai campus?

Amrita Sadarangani has been named Chief Academic Services Officer at York University, Mumbai campus, to lead academic operations, research support, and student success. Her appointment reflects York’s commitment to building a globally connected campus in India and advancing its vision of being a university for the public good.

2. What experience does Amrita Sadarangani bring to York Mumbai?

Amrita has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, research, and public engagement. She previously served as Senior Director at Ashoka University and as Executive Director of the University of Edinburgh–Gujarat Biotechnology University partnership. She also founded and led the University of Edinburgh’s South Asia Regional Centre, strengthening academic and research presence across India.

3. How have university leaders responded to this appointment?

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice‑Chancellor of the University of York, explained that Amrita brings extensive knowledge of the Indian higher education sector. He noted that under her leadership, York Mumbai would establish a research‑intensive university offering excellent student education, balancing UK and Indian academic cultures, and strengthening industry engagement.

4. What impact will this have on students and the wider community?

Students at the York University Mumbai campus in India will benefit from programmes designed with input from international industry partners, ensuring relevance to fast‑evolving global sectors. The campus will embed research from its inception, supporting student safety, fairness, and rights in academic procedures while offering holistic development and strong career pathways.

5. What wider implications does the York Mumbai campus have for higher education?

The new campus reflects the growing importance of transnational education UK–India and demonstrates how India‑UK university partnerships can address global challenges. By contributing to India’s innovation agenda in areas such as food security, environmental change, and emerging technologies, York Mumbai strengthens public interest in higher education that combines academic excellence with industry relevance.

6. What future steps are planned for the York Mumbai campus?

The campus will open in 2026, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, Business, Economics, and the Creative Industries. Officials have confirmed that strong research will underpin all offerings, ensuring York’s expansion into India supports innovation, opportunity, and long‑term impact for future generations.