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Who We Are

About SouthAsia-IEN

Led by Practitioners

Our co-founders, Rajika Bhandari and Uttiyo Raychaudhuri, have a combined expertise of 50+ years in international higher education in academic and nonprofit settings in the U.S.; a deep passion for and commitment to connecting the South Asian diaspora through higher education; and their lived experiences as international student alumni from India.

Advisory Structure

SouthAsia-IEN is guided by a high-level Advisory Council of global leaders, a stellar Circle of Experts, and thought leaders drawn from multiple sectors and regions who provide deep understanding, knowledge, and insight about South Asia.

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50+Years combined co-founder expertise
Co-Founders

The Leadership Behind SouthAsia-IEN

Rajika Bhandari

Rajika Bhandari, Ph.D.

Co-Founder

Dr. Rajika Bhandari is an international higher education expert, scholar-practitioner, and the author of the award-winning book America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility. With 25+ years of experience spanning nonprofits and higher education — including leading IIE's research portfolio and the Open Doors Report — she now advises nonprofits and institutions globally through her firm, Rajika Bhandari Advisors. She serves as Senior Advisor to the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, was appointed to the National Academy for International Education in 2024, and in 2025 received NAFSA's inaugural John and Anne Hudzik Prize for Sustained Leadership in Higher Education Internationalization. As Co-Founder of SouthAsia-IEN, she brings unparalleled expertise in data, strategy, and U.S.–South Asia educational engagement. LinkedIn ↗

Uttiyo Raychaudhuri

Uttiyo Raychaudhuri, Ph.D.

Co-Founder

Dr. Uttiyo Raychaudhuri was Vice Provost for Internationalization at the University of Denver and previously served as Executive Director of Global Learning at Cornell University and in international leadership roles at Clemson University and the University of Georgia. His leadership has been recognized twice (2012 & 2014) with IIE's Andrew Heiskell Award for Best Practices and Innovation in International Education. He has served as an elected member of the Forum on Education Abroad Council for two terms, and has been a consistent advocate for high-impact, evidence-based academic engagement and global citizenry. As Co-Founder of SouthAsia-IEN, he brings deep practitioner expertise in building cross-border partnerships across South Asia. LinkedIn ↗

Founding Advisory Council

Global Leaders Guiding Our Work

A high-level Advisory Council of global leaders provides deep understanding, knowledge, and insight about South Asia and global higher education.

P.K. Agarwal

P.K. Agarwal

Founding Advisor

Dean of UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension, and former CEO of TechNet. A pioneer in bridging technology, education, and entrepreneurship across India-US corridors, with deep ties to government and industry leaders in both countries.

Esther T. Benjamin

Esther T. Benjamin

Founding Advisor

CEO & Executive Director of World Education Services (WES), the leading credential evaluation organization. She drives WES's global mission of expanding access to education and economic opportunity for immigrants and refugees worldwide.

Diya Dutt

Diya Dutt

Founding Advisor

Senior Advisor at the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), with decades of experience in India's higher education policy and international academic partnerships. She has led multiple bilateral cooperation programs between Indian and global universities.

Raj Echambadi

Raj Echambadi

Founding Advisor

President of Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) and former Dean of Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business. A distinguished scholar and leader championing technology, innovation, and global education — including the first U.S. campus in India.

Jeet Joshee

Jeet Joshee

Founding Advisor

Emeritus Dean and Associate Vice President at California State University, Long Beach. A nationally recognized leader in international education with over three decades of experience in student services, diversity, and global programming at the nation's largest public university system.

Himanshu Rai

Himanshu Rai

Founding Advisor

Director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore — one of India's premier business schools. An expert in organizational behavior and leadership, he has championed partnerships between IIMs and global institutions.

Sunder Ramaswamy

Sunder Ramaswamy

Founding Advisor

Distinguished College Professor of International Economics at Middlebury College and former President of Middlebury Institute of International Studies, and Chairman Emeritus of The Asia Foundation. A leading voice in trade, development, and South Asian economies.

Nirmala Rao

Nirmala Rao

Founding Advisor

Vice Chancellor of Krea University, one of India's pioneering new-generation liberal arts institutions. A Cambridge-trained social anthropologist with extensive experience in interdisciplinary education and UK-India academic collaboration.

Patrick Vogt

Patrick Vogt

Founding Advisor

CEO of Academic Programs International (API), one of the world's leading study abroad providers. He has led API's expansion into South Asian study destinations, making the region more accessible to U.S. students seeking transformative international educational experiences.

Founding Circle of Experts

Expertise Elevating Our Work

A stellar Circle of Experts brings disciplinary depth across international education, immigration, finance, and global recognition frameworks — keeping our work grounded in real practice and regional context.

Sherif Barsoum

Sherif Barsoum

Founding Expert

Senior Associate Vice President for Global Services at New York University, with more than 32 years in international education. He previously led international student and scholar services at Vanderbilt University and Ohio State University, and teaches at NYU's Steinhardt International Education Program.

Ranjana Maitra

Ranjana Maitra

Founding Expert

Country Head – International Relations & Strategic Partnerships at the University of New Haven, with three decades of global leadership at Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro. A recognized voice in international education and advocate for Women in STEM, she chairs CII's Indian Women Network, Western Region.

Tejal Patel

Tejal Patel

Founding Expert

Associate Counsel, Immigration and International Affairs at the University of Massachusetts, advising institutions on immigration matters affecting international students and scholars. With more than a decade of experience in policy interpretation and compliance, she holds a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Tayyeb Shah

Tayyeb Shah

Founding Expert

Managing Director of HSC Education and incoming President (2026) of the European Association for International Education (EAIE). A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Western Australia and Deputy Vice President at King's College London, he specializes in transnational education and India–UK partnerships.

Vanita Shastri

Vanita Shastri

Founding Expert

Strategic Advisor – Internationalization at UPES University and founding Dean of Global Education & Strategic Partnerships at Ashoka University, India. A Cornell Ph.D. and former Executive Director of TiE-Boston, she has taught at Boston University, Wellesley College, and the University of Massachusetts.

Stig Arne Skjerven

Stig Arne Skjerven

Founding Expert

First elected Chair (2023–2027) of UNESCO's Global Convention on Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education. He led Norway's recognition of foreign qualifications for eight years, twice chaired the European ENIC Bureau, and serves on INQAAHE's Recognition Committee.

Governance

How We Are Structured

Advisory Council

Setting strategy, stewarding the mission, and ensuring fiduciary excellence.

Circle of Experts

Voices from across South Asia and the world that keep our work grounded in disciplinary expertise and regional context.

Working Groups

Member-led teams advancing policy, programming, communications, and partnerships.