New Delhi: NIIT University (NU) welcomes former NITI Aayog CEO, Amitabh Kant as its new Chairperson (Chancellor), effective 10 March this year. He has succeeded acclaimed scientist K Kasturirangan.
This leadership transition marks a significant milestone in NU’s journey towards fostering industry-aligned education to develop future-ready talent.
A distinguished Indian bureaucrat, Kant brings deep expertise in policy-making, economic transformation and innovation-led growth. During his tenure as CEO of NITI Aayog (2016–2022), Kant spearheaded pioneering initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission, the Aspirational Districts Programme and the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI), shaping India’s growth and development agenda.
He also played a pivotal role in launching flagship programmes such as Make in India, Startup India and Ease of Doing Business reforms, all of which focus heavily on creating a skilled and empowered workforce.
In addition, Kant’s key role in India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 positioned the country as a critical voice in global economic discussions. His deep commitment to skilling, innovation and administrative excellence aligns closely with NIIT University’s vision of developing tech-enabled, industry-ready professionals.
Expressing his enthusiasm for taking over as Chairperson, Kant said:
“It is an honour to join NIIT University, an institution that has consistently pioneered industry-linked education and skilling. In today’s rapidly evolving economy, universities must play a central role in nurturing innovation and preparing youth for emerging opportunities. I look forward to working with the university to advance its mission of creating a new-age talent pool aligned with national and global priorities.”
NIIT University has established itself as a leader in industry-academia collaboration, with partnerships spanning over 700 industry entities, including IBM, Tata Consultancy Services, Morgan Stanley and Deloitte.
These collaborations have been instrumental in ensuring 100 per cent placement for NU students since its inception, underlining the university’s commitment to employability and real-world readiness.
Prof Prakash Gopalan, President, NIIT University, said:
“We are privileged to welcome Amitabh Kant as Chairperson of NIIT University. His visionary leadership in driving India’s innovation and skilling landscape will be invaluable in shaping NU’s future. As we continue to strengthen our focus on technology, research and industry integration, his guidance will help us take significant strides in developing a highly skilled, future-ready workforce.”
NIIT University also takes this opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to K Kasturirangan for his exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions to NU’s growth and reputation.
Under his guidance, NU reinforced its position as a hub of industry-aligned education, research and innovation.
With Kant at the helm, NIIT University looks forward to scaling new heights in cutting-edge education, skilling and global collaborations, continuing its mission of nurturing leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
