New appointment to leadership of University of York Mumbai
Posted on 17 November 2025
Amrita will lead academic operations and strategy
Formerly Senior Director and Head of Global Research Alliances at Ashoka University, one of India’s most prominent liberal arts and sciences institutions, Amrita has been instrumental in supporting Ashoka’s transformation into a globally-engaged research university.
As Chief Academic Services Officer at the new University of York Mumbai, Amrita will lead academic operations and strategy, overseeing research support and student success and wellbeing.
She will play a key role in building partnerships and industry engagement, ensuring the University delivers research-led education aligned with India’s drive for growth and York’s vision as an institution dedicated to public good.
Vibrant community
Amrita said: “I am passionate about creating a distinctive experience for students and researchers in India, while bringing together the academic cultures and complementary strengths of Mumbai and York to build a truly vibrant, dynamic environment.
“Research is embedded in the York Mumbai campus from its inception, and we intend to build on this foundation to its fullest potential.
“By uniting the UK and India’s expertise, engaging deeply with Mumbai’s vibrant business, financial, and creative ecosystem, and grounding our work in York’s commitment to being a University for public good, we aim to create a student experience defined by academic excellence and the holistic development of our future graduates.
“Through this partnership and place-based engagement, we can demonstrate the powerful contribution we can make to the ambitions of both countries.”
Research focus
Amrita brings over two decades of experience in higher education, research, and public engagement. She previously served as Executive Director of the University of Edinburgh–Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU) partnership, helping to establish GBU as a postgraduate institution with a strong research focus and collaborative culture.
Before that, she led the University of Edinburgh’s South Asia Regional Centre for 11 years, which she founded in 2010 to strengthen the university’s academic and research presence across India and neighbouring countries.
Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, said: “Amrita brings a huge amount of experience and knowledge of the Higher Education sector in India to our new community in Mumbai. Under her leadership, we will create a globally connected campus and help build a research-intensive university offering outstanding student education. Our campus in Mumbai will be rooted in our common pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and service to society.”
Innovation agenda
The new appointment follows the announcement of Professor Lindsay Oades as the new Provost for the University of York Mumbai.
The new campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes from 2026 in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, Business, Economics and the Creative Industries. Designed with input from international industry partners, these programmes aim to prepare students for rapidly evolving global sectors and expand career pathways for Indian learners.
A strong focus on research will underpin the new campus from its inception, contributing to India’s innovation agenda in areas such as food security, environmental change and emerging technologies.
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