Mumbai: The University of York has announced three key leadership appointments as it prepares for the launch of its Mumbai campus in 2026.
The appointments mark a major milestone in the University’s expansion into India, with Professor Lindsay Oades appointed as Provost, Dr Akshay Malhotra as Chief Operating Officer, and Amrita Sadarangani as Chief Academic Services Officer.
These senior appointments complete the founding executive team that will guide the University of York Mumbai campus, overseeing academic strategy, operational readiness, and student experience ahead of welcoming its first cohort in 2026.
Applications for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are now officially open.
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University of York Leadership to Shape Academic and Operational Vision
As Provost, Professor Lindsay Oades will lead the academic vision and strategic development of the University of York Mumbai campus. He joins from the University of Melbourne, where he served as Deputy Dean in the Department of Education.
An internationally recognised expert in wellbeing education, Professor Oades will be responsible for academic quality, student recruitment, launch preparedness, and establishing a strong academic culture aligned with the University’s values.
Professor Oades has contributed extensively to global education initiatives, including UNESCO’s International Science and Evidence Based Assessment of Education, and is known for his work in wellbeing literacy and sustainable human flourishing.
Speaking on his appointment, Professor Oades said that the University of York’s long-standing commitment to public good aligns closely with his belief in education’s ability to transform communities.
He highlighted Mumbai’s cultural vibrancy as a unique opportunity to contribute to the global higher education ecosystem.
Dr Akshay Malhotra has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and will oversee operational development, regulatory integration, governance, infrastructure, and student services.
With senior academic and administrative experience across India and the United States, Dr Malhotra brings expertise in institution-building and campus operations.
He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and has previously held leadership roles at NMIMS, UPES, and Symbiosis International University, along with faculty experience in the United States.
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Commenting on his role, Dr Malhotra said it is a significant responsibility to be part of the founding leadership of the University of York Mumbai campus and noted the opportunity to integrate York’s academic strengths with India’s educational traditions.
The appointment of Amrita Sadarangani as Chief Academic Services Officer completes the leadership team. She joins the University of York Mumbai from Ashoka University, where she served as Senior Director and Head of Global Research Alliances.
At the Mumbai campus, she will lead academic operations, research support, student wellbeing initiatives, and partnerships across academia, industry, and civil society.
With over two decades of experience, including leadership roles in international academic collaborations such as the University of Edinburgh–Gujarat Biotechnology University partnership and the establishment of the University of Edinburgh’s South Asia Regional Centre, Sadarangani emphasised building a research-driven academic environment from inception.
Welcoming the appointments, Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery said the combined expertise of the leadership team positions the University of York Mumbai campus as a globally connected, research-intensive institution from its launch.
He noted that the team brings deep experience in academic strategy, operational excellence, and international collaboration.
From 2026, the University of York Mumbai campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Business, Economics, and the Creative Industries.
Developed with input from global industry partners, the programmes aim to prepare students for emerging and fast-evolving sectors. The campus will be research-oriented from the outset, contributing to India’s priorities in areas such as food security, environmental change, and emerging technologies.
Admissions for all 2026 programmes are now open, with detailed programme information, eligibility criteria, and application guidance available on the University of York Mumbai campus website.
