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Trustee of K J Somaiya Trust and K J Somaiya Medical Trust and Team Leader for the Help a Child project
Amrita Somaiya graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from Simmons College, Boston USA. Amrita is a Trustee of The Somaiya Trust, Somaiya Vidyavihar & The K. J. Somaiya Medical Trust. She is a Governing Board Member of Somaiya Vidyavihar University.
She directs the Help A Child to Study Project, an initiative of Somaiya Vidyavihar which provides scholarships to motivated students from financially challenging backgrounds. She is the co-owner of Kitab Khana, a boutique bookshop in fort, Mumbai. Amrita is actively involved in the management of The Somaiya School. She loves to read, cook, travel and knit.
Executive Director of Vakil & Sons Pvt. Ltd
Bimal Mehta is the Executive Director of Vakil & Sons Pvt. Ltd (Vakils), a premier printing and publishing firm based in Mumbai. Over the last 18 years he has been involved in the restructuring off Vakils from a traditional print company to a high-tech IT enabled services company. He is also the working director of Vakils Premedia, a company with offices in India and the US that works with leading corporations to offer premedia and cross media services around the world.
Mehta serves on the governing council of the Service Export Promotion Council, and has been Vice President of the Bombay Master Printers Association and on the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Bombay. Part of his Rotary service involves being Chairman of the two Vocational Centres in Mumbai involvement in the Boys Orphanage Home. Mehta holds an MBA from Boston University’s Graduate School of Management.
Executive Director, RIL
Hital R. Meswani is a Management & Technology Graduate from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, UPenn, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the Wharton Business School. He joined Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) in 1990 and is the son of Rasiklal Meswani,one of the Founder Directors of the company. He is on the Board of the company as Whole-time Director, designated as the Executive Director, RIL, since August 4, 1995.
He has been involved with almost all mega initiatives of the group through its growth journey. He was instrumental in the execution of the world class petrochemicals complex at Hazira and the mammoth Reliance Jamnagar Refinery complex, the largest in the world at any single location. Hital Meswani has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers – the International Professional body for Chemical, Biochemical and Process Engineers) in recognition of his contribution to the process industries. He is a member of the Engineering Board of Overseers of University of Pennsylvania (UPENN) and is a recipient of the prestigious ‘The 2011 D. Robert Yarnall Award’ from The Engineering Alumni Society of UPENN. He was conferred the Honorary CEPM-PMA Fellowship Award for Project Management Excellence.
Dr. B.P. Godrej Distinguished Professor at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
Lakshmi Kantam served as Director at CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad. She is an Adjunct Professor at Tezpur Central University, Tezpur, Assam and RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. She is a Fellow of Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences, ; J.C. Bose(DST); The World Academy of Sciences, Italy, Royal Society of Chemistry, UK. Her prizes include ICC D. M.Trivedi LifeTime Achievement Award; Eminent Scientist Award – Catalysis Society of India and Vasvik award.
She is a Member of scientific councils, DST, HEMRL (DRDO), IIT-Hyderabad, DAE. She is Non-Executive Independent Director, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd , Indo-Amines Ltd and Vinati Organics Ltd. She has 33 years of experience in the research, design and development of catalysts for innovative green and economical processes for chemical industry. She has authored more than 332 publications and has 42 patents to her credit.
President, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island, USA
Registrar
Prof. Nandkumar Gilke is an accomplished Academician & Administrator with over 33 years of Teaching experience and several years of Industry experience. He is the Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, K J Somaiya School of Engineering for the past 33 years. He served as an ex-member of the Management Council, Academic Council, and the Faculty of Technology of the University of Mumbai.
His Academic journey is marked by the significant contribution to Research, evidence by his numerous publications in International & National journals, as well as his active participation in Conferences. Prof. Nandkumar Gilke holds multiple Patents including innovative solutions for contribution Material & Agricultural processing equipment. Prof. Nandkumar Gilke has been serving as the Registrar of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai since November 2019.
B. Com, LLB. MBA in Marketing PHD.
Entrepreneur, Author, Researcher & Motivational Speaker.
He has a wide & diverse knowledge base, an intelligentsia with acumen in wide fields like Legal, Banking, Taxation, Commercial, Foreign Trade and allied Legislations. An entrepreneur of repute, specialist in the fields of Marketing, Legal, Skill Development, International Business and Cross-Border Logistics, He is also a qualified Indian Customs House Practitioner bringing his negotiating skills to the Institutional corpus.
He is an entrepreneur besides motivational speaker himself. He loves to devote his energy towards encouraging the youth to take up correct career paths to ensure a robust intellectual capital on a national level. He is also on the Interview & Selection panels of various prestigious Institutes & Colleges affiliated to University of Mumbai, AICTE Expert Member, NTA Observer, and advisor to State & Central level Committees. He has continuously encouraged youngsters to develop their entrepreneurial skills and drive towards making them self-reliant. His latest endeavours have been appreciated by many Social and Trade bodies at National level.
Chairman and Managing Director of Godavari Biorefineries Ltd, President of Somaiya Vidyavihar and Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University
Samir Somaiya is a distinguished leader with a remarkable portfolio encompassing diverse sectors. As Chairman and Managing Director of Godavari Biorefineries Ltd., he drives the company's sustainable solutions for renewable chemicals and biofuels. Additionally, he holds key positions as the Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University and President of Somaiya Vidyavihar, contributing significantly to academic excellence and educational development. He also holds the position of President, Indian Chamber of Commerce, advocating for economic growth and trade.
Samir Somaiya's influence extends beyond education and business. He serves as the Chairman of K. J. Somaiya Trust, K. J. Somaiya Medical Trust, K. J. Somaiya Institute of Applied Agriculture Research, and The Girivanvasi Pragati Mandal, organizations dedicated to social welfare, education, and medical advancements. Furthermore, he is the founder of the Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory (riidl), a Business Incubator that supports young entrepreneurs and fosters innovation.
Samir Somaiya has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, showcasing his exceptional contributions and achievements. Notable among them are the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, honoring his efforts in fostering international collaborations, and the Lala Shriram National Award for Leadership in the Chemical Industry, acknowledging his remarkable leadership and accomplishments in the sector. He has also received the Shri Kutchi Lohana Mahajan Gnati Gaurav for outstanding community service, the American Institute of Chemical Engineer’s Award for Scholastic Achievement, and the American Institute of Chemists Award, highlighting his exceptional academic performance and contributions to the field of chemical engineering. These awards stand as a testament to Samir Somaiya's relentless pursuit of excellence and his significant impact in various domains, earning him respect and admiration from peers and the broader community alike.
Furthermore, Samir Somaiya actively contributes to academia as a Visiting Instructor at the School of Chemical Engineering - Cornell University. He is also a member of the Advisory Council of the Dynamic Sustainability Laboratory at Syracuse University. With a distinguished educational background, including a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, an MBA, Master of Chemical Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University, Samir Somaiya stands as an accomplished leader, leaving a positive impact on various spheres of society.
Group Chief Economist of Larsen and Toubro Limited, Mumbai
Dr. Sachchidanand Shukla is the Group Chief Economist of Larsen and Toubro Limited, Mumbai. He has around 25 years of experience spanning corporate sector, financial services, and capital markets. Prior to joining Larsen and Toubro Limited, Mumbai, he was the Chief Economist of the Mahindra Group, and was also associated with Axis Capital (earlier known as ENAM) as chief economist. His key areas of research have been financial markets, strategy, development policy, programme implementation and impact evaluation.
He has a Ph.D. in financial economics from Birla Institute of Technology and post graduate qualifications in business management (finance) as well as in economics from the University of Mumbai and has been a recipient of K J Somaiya Gold Medal. He has been a part of NITI Aayog’s panel of Economists and was a part of a Planning Commission/ World Bank study - Maharashtra Development Report - as an `External Expert’.
Dr. Shukla is currently chairperson of the Economics Committee of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, and Industry (BCCI) and is also co-chairman of the national Economics committee of FICCI. He is also associated with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) & ASSOCHAM. He is keenly connected with the academia and has authored a book (on macro-economics for BMS course in the University of Mumbai) besides publishing several research papers. He contributes regularly to business publications and writes in the Economic Times, Mint, The Financial Express, The Hindu Business line and Moneycontrol etc.
Director, IISER, Tirupati
Co-founder the Managing Partner of Economic Laws Practice
Suhail Nathani is widely recognised as a leading lawyer in India. He has represented the Government of India at the WTO (Panel and Appellate Body), and has been counsel for the Competition Commission of India and Securities Exchange Board of India at various tribunals and courts in India. He was a member of the high-powered Committee constituted by the Law & Judiciary Department, Government of Maharashtra for amendments to the Maharashtra Public Trust Act and Rules.
He serves on the boards of several not for profit organizations, including Salam Bombay Foundation, the Maulana Azad Education Trust, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat and the Progressive Electoral Trust. Suhail earned his Master’s Degree at Cambridge University, England and has also received an LL.M. from Duke University, USA. Apart from India, he is also admitted to the State Bar of New York. He is an Honorary Adjunct Professor at the Jindal Global Law School in India and on the advisory panel of the Adani Institute of Infrastructure. Suhail Nathani has featured in the India Business Law Journal’s A List as India’s Top 100 Lawyers in 2017 & 2018.
Vice Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University
Professor Ajay Kapoor is a globally recognised academic leader and researcher with a career spanning India, the UK, and Australia. An IIT-BHU alumnus with a PhD from Cambridge, he has dedicated his life to higher education, research, and leadership.
Author of 325+ papers, three books, and several patents, he ranks in the top 2% of scientists worldwide (Stanford–Elsevier) and in the top 0.21% globally (AD Scientific Index). His award-winning research is internationally recognised, and he serves on the editorial board of the IMechE Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit.
Professor Kapoor has held senior leadership roles as Vice Chancellor of Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Pro Vice Chancellor at Swinburne University (Australia), and senior positions at Newcastle, Sheffield, and Leicester in the UK. He has also chaired the ASME UK & Ireland Chapter, served on the VCAMM Board in Australia, and was a member of Swinburne’s University Council.
Passionate about the transformative power of education, he continues to shape institutions and inspire future generations.
Managing Director, Bhimrajka Group
Vinod Bhimrajka is Managing Director in Bhimrajka Group which has been active since 1978. The group comprises Polmann India Ltd, Bhimrajka Mader Coatings Pvt Ltd, Bhimrajka Exim LLP, and others. He has done Masters in Chemistry from Mumbai University. Vinod has been exceptionally active in Community Service. He is an active member of Rotary Club of Bombay Queen City. Vinod also devoted a lot of his time for the development of Dr Hegdewar Hospital in Aurangabad. This is a state of the art hospital which runs on grants and provides medical relief for needy people at an absolutely nominal cost.
