The newly appointed Provost, COO & Chief Academics Officers will steer academic strategy, operational readiness, and student experience as the University prepares to welcome its first cohort in India.

Applications Now Live for 2026 Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes

Mumbai : In a significant milestone for its 2026 Mumbai launch, the University of York has named the three leaders who will head its inaugural executive team. With Professor Lindsay Oades stepping in as Provost, Dr Akshay Malhotra as Chief Operating Officer and Amrita Sadarangani as Chief Academic Services Officer, the University has finalised the core leadership that will guide its campus in Mumbai. These strategic hires will play a pivotal role in shaping the academic direction, operational excellence, and student experience. 

With applications now open, the University invites prospective students across India and globally to explore its research-led curriculum and world-class learning environment. Detailed programme information, entry requirements and application guidance are available on the University of York Mumbai website.

Professor Lindsay Oades joins the University of York Mumbai from his role as Deputy Dean in the Department of Education at the University of Melbourne. An internationally recognized expert in wellbeing education, Professor Oades will lead the academic vision and strategic development of the new campus. He will oversee launch readiness, academic quality, student recruitment and the establishment of a strong academic culture for the incoming 2026 cohort. Professor Oades said that the University of York’s long-standing commitment to public good aligns closely with his own work and that Mumbai’s cultural dynamism offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the global higher education landscape. His research leadership includes major contributions to UNESCO’s International Science and Evidence Based Assessment of Education and pioneering work on wellbeing literacy and sustainable human flourishing.

Speaking about his appointment and the University’s vision for India, Professor Oades said, “The University of York’s commitment to public good aligns with my lifelong belief in education’s power to transform lives and communities. Mumbai’s cultural energy makes the opportunity to bring the University’s values to life in global higher education especially exciting. I look forward to working with partners, colleagues, and students in Mumbai and across India, while staying closely connected to York.”

Dr Akshay Malhotra has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and brings extensive experience from senior academic and administrative roles across India and the United States. He will be responsible for operational development, regulatory integration and ensuring that the campus reflects the University of York’s global standards in governance, infrastructure and student experience. Dr Malhotra, who holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, has previously served in leadership roles at NMIMS, UPES and Symbiosis International University and also taught as a faculty member in the United States. He noted that developing the University of York’s first international campus is both a significant responsibility and an opportunity to combine York’s academic strengths with India’s educational heritage.

Commenting on his appointment as Chief Operating Officer, Dr Akshay Malhotra said, “It is not only a great privilege, but also a profound responsibility to be part of the founding leadership of University of York Mumbai. It is truly inspiring to witness the spirit of collaboration and the excitement building around the Mumbai campus.

“I look forward to helping shape a learning ecosystem that integrates the academic and research excellence of the University of York with the rich intellectual traditions of the Indian education system.”

The appointment of Amrita Sadarangani as Chief Academic Services Officer completes the founding leadership team. She previously served as Senior Director and Head of Global Research Alliances at Ashoka University, where she helped strengthen Ashoka’s global research partnerships and academic advancement. At York Mumbai, she will be responsible for academic operations, research support, student wellbeing and the development of partnerships across industry, academia and civil society. With more than two decades of experience, including leadership of the University of Edinburgh–Gujarat Biotechnology University collaboration and the establishment of the University of Edinburgh’s South Asia Regional Centre, she emphasised the opportunity to build a research-driven academic environment that reflects the strengths of both Mumbai and York.

Speaking about her new role, Ms. Amrita Sadarangani 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.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery welcomed the appointments and said the combined expertise of the three leaders will ensure that the Mumbai campus is positioned as a high-quality, globally connected and research-intensive institution from its inception. He added that the leadership team brings deep experience in academic strategy, operational excellence and international collaboration.

The University of York Mumbai will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes from 2026 in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Business, Economics and the Creative Industries. The programmes have been developed with input from global industry partners to prepare students for rapidly evolving fields and to expand professional opportunities for learners in India. The campus will be research-oriented from the outset and will contribute to India’s priorities in areas such as food security, environmental change and emerging technologies.