The progressing domain of global education demands more than just skilled navigators. Here, visionary leaders emerge who tackle complexities head-on. They’re not content with the status quo but rather continually develop innovative programs. These paradigmshifters champion groundbreaking initiatives, fostering environments that empower students and ignite a lifelong love of learning.
In this realm where innovation meets strategic vision, Dr. Abhinanda Barman stands as an exemplar. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Abhinanda has carved a distinguished path in academia, marked by a pursuit of excellence and strategic foresight.
Dr. Abhinanda has been a catalyst for change, driving initiatives that redefine the boundaries of traditional learning paradigms. As a seasoned executive leader, Dr. Abhinanda’s tenure has been characterized by a keen focus on academic leadership, knowledge management, and organizational development. Her expertise extends to navigating the nuances of the international market, where she has orchestrated strategic alliances and facilitated the deployment of human capital to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
At the University of Stirling, UAE Campus, Dr. Abhinanda is positioned as the Director of University Communications and Strategic Alliances, a position that resonates with his commitment to fostering collaborative ecosystems and driving large-scale transformational endeavors.
Academic Excellence and Strategic Leadership
Dr. Abhinanda’s journey towards leadership in the field of education has been incredibly fulfilling and diverse. Over a span of 22 years, traversing international markets, she has remained dedicated to excellence and continuous growth.
It all commenced with a robust background in Business Administration, coupled with her Master’s studies with specialization in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations.
Stepping forward in her career, Dr. Abhinanda delved deeper into educational principles and strategic management, culminating in the attainment of a Ph.D. in Commerce and Business Administration. Concurrently, she actively pursued avenues for professional development, including a PG Diploma in Design Thinking & Innovation through collaborations with esteemed institutions like MIT Sloan and Columbia Business Education.
Her leadership trajectory soared when she undertook the role of Academic Head of Postgraduate, MBA, and Doctorate Programs at a prestigious business school in Johannesburg, South Africa. Through strategic initiatives and meticulous project management, she spearheaded transformative efforts that notably enhanced strategic planning, Global market initiatives, student retention and academic service delivery standards.
Subsequently, she took on the role of Academic Dean at a renowned private tertiary education institute in Pretoria, South Africa, overseeing operations across 12 campuses nationwide. Here, her mandate included enhancing educational quality and academic standards across multiple campuses.
Throughout her career, Dr. Abhinanda demonstrated a talent for business strategy, leading revenue turnaround endeavors and fostering year-on-year growth. Her adeptness in cultivating robust client relationships and securing significant strategic deals has been pivotal in her success.
Pursuit of Holistic Student Growth
Dr. Abhinanda’s inspiration stems from a deep passion for education, women’s leadership, emotional intelligence, and creating meaningful impact through practicing conscious leadership. She firmly believes in the transformative power of education to empower individuals and drive societal progress.
Additionally, the dynamic nature of the education world constantly intrigues her, prompting her to explore opportunities where she could bridge the gap between academia and industry to foster holistic growth and development of students globally.
Leading with Passion
As a woman leader, Dr. Abhinanda feels immensely grateful for the support and mentorship she has received from numerous remarkable women throughout her career. Their guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in her journey, offering invaluable insights and perspectives as she navigated the intricacies of leadership.
Despite the considerable strides made towards gender equality, Dr. Abhinanda acknowledges the persistent presence of sexism in certain professional spheres. While she has been fortunate to work in environments that value her contributions irrespective of gender, there have been instances where she encountered subtle or overt forms of bias and discrimination.
Nevertheless, in the face of these challenges, Dr. Abhinanda remains resolute in her determination to succeed. She refuses to be defined or constrained by outdated attitudes towards women in leadership positions. Instead, she focuses on showcasing her abilities, consistently demonstrating that gender holds no bearing on leadership effectiveness.
Her journey has been one marked by perseverance and resilience, driven by a profound belief in the power of inclusivity and diversity. By refusing to succumb to prejudice, she has not only shattered glass ceilings but also paved the way for others to follow.
Defying Stereotypes
Dr. Abhinanda reflects on her journey to becoming a powerful woman leader, a path defined by resilience, determination, and a steadfast commitment to her goals. Firstly, she embraced the importance of self-belief, rejecting societal expectations and gender norms that sought to define her capabilities. Instead, she cultivated a mindset of boundless potential, refusing to internalize limitations imposed by others.
Secondly, Dr. Abhinanda sought support from allies and mentors, both male and female, who championed her aspirations and provided invaluable guidance. Their encouragement bolstered her confidence and offered insights into navigating the complexities of leadership.
Moreover, she actively pursued opportunities for personal and professional growth, willingly stepping out of her comfort zone to embrace challenges as avenues for development. Dr. Abhinanda understood that true leadership embraces vulnerability, learns from setbacks, and continually strives for improvement. Crucially, she remained steadfast in upholding her authenticity and integrity, recognizing her unique perspective and experiences as strengths that enhanced her effectiveness as a leader.
In sharing her story, Dr. Abhinanda hopes to inspire others to embark on their own journeys with courage and conviction, acknowledging that the path to leadership may be challenging but is undeniably rewarding. Together, she believes, individuals can dismantle barriers, defy stereotypes, and forge a more equitable, inclusive future.
Tech-Enabled, Human-Centered Education
In her approach to harnessing technology, Dr. Abhinanda prioritizes maintaining a delicate balance between harnessing its power and preserving the invaluable human touch in education. While acknowledging the vast array of tools and resources technology offers to enrich university offerings and deepen students’ comprehension, she remains mindful not to overshadow the essential human connection pivotal to effective teaching and learning.
Dr. Abhinanda embraces technology as a means to amplify students’ engagement and participation in the educational process. Through virtual classrooms, interactive discussion forums, and real-time feedback mechanisms, she fosters a collaborative learning environment where students actively contribute to knowledge construction and idea exchange. By leveraging technology to facilitate communication and interaction, she creates opportunities for students to engage with course material, connect with peers, and establish rapport with her as their instructor.
Simultaneously, she remains vigilant in ensuring that technology does not erode the human connection that is fundamental to effective teaching and mentorship. Dr. Abhinanda prioritizes personal interactions, offering support, guidance, and encouragement to students both within and beyond the digital realm. Whether through virtual office hours, individualized feedback on assignments, or one-on-one discussions, she endeavors to cultivate meaningful relationships that transcend the confines of technology.
Empower Future Leaders through Mentorship
As a director within the university, Dr. Abhinanda places a high priority on mentorship and the empowerment of women in leadership roles. She recognizes the transformative impact of mentorship in nurturing talent and facilitating professional development, especially for women who may encounter unique obstacles in advancing their careers. Actively seeking out opportunities to mentor and support women both within and beyond her department, she provides guidance, encouragement, and advocacy to help them navigate their professional trajectories.
Additionally, Dr. Abhinanda is deeply committed to fostering a culture of empowerment where women feel valued, heard, and confident in their leadership abilities. This involves advocating for policies and initiatives that promote gender equality, facilitating leadership development programs, and actively endorsing women for leadership positions within the university. Through her dedication to mentorship and empowerment, she aims to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive university leadership landscape, where women are empowered to thrive and make substantial contributions to the academic community.
Shaping the Next Generation
As a woman leader, Dr. Abhinanda’s ultimate aspiration is to leave behind a legacy that ignites inspiration and empowerment among the youth of tomorrow, urging them to realize their utmost potential. She envisions a legacy firmly rooted in the values of courage, resilience, and inclusivity, where young individuals are to dream big and pursue their passions without limitations. Through her leadership and actions, she endeavors to dismantle barriers and defy stereotypes, demonstrating that gender should never impede one’s pursuit of success.
Dr. Abhinanda aims to instill in the youth a sense of confidence in their abilities, a commitment to continuous learning, and a passion for making positive change in the world. Ultimately, her aspiration is to be commemorated as a trailblazer who paved the way for future generations of women leaders, inspiring them to shatter glass ceilings and create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
Unapologetically Driven for Learning and Growth
Dr. Abhinanda’s aspirations and goals for the future encompass both professional and personal dimensions.
Professionally, she seeks to continue her trajectory of growth and excellence, aspiring to undertake progressively challenging roles that enable her to effect meaningful change in her field. Whether through spearheading innovative projects, driving leadership initiatives, or engaging in mentorship endeavors, she aims to contribute to the positive evolution and advancement of her organization and industry. Additionally, she remains committed to continuous learning and development, actively pursuing opportunities to broaden her skill set and expertise in areas aligned with her passions and ambitions.
On a personal level, Dr. Abhinanda aspires to cultivate a balanced and fulfilling life that places emphasis on wellbeing, relationships, and personal growth. This entails dedicating time and energy to nurture meaningful connections with loved ones, pursuing hobbies and interests that bring her joy and fulfillment, and prioritizing self-care practices that support her physical, mental, and emotional health. Ultimately, her goal is to lead a purpose-driven life that seamlessly integrates her professional aspirations with her personal values, enabling her to thrive both in her career and personal life while making a positive impact on the world around her.
Global Impact: Recognitions and Engagements
Throughout her career, she has garnered numerous awards and invitations, recognizing her impactful work on a global scale.
Presented at the Deans and Directors Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, February 2024.
Panellist at the Conscious Leadership and Ethics Summit by Mail and Guardian and Conscious Companies and Amgen in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2023.
Keynote Speaker at the Investing Africa Summit 2023 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Keynote Speaker at a colloquium of the Good Governance Academy, chaired by Professor Mervyn King, author of the renowned King-IV report on Business Ethics and Corporate Governance.
Invited as a Speaker at the Global Sustainable Development Congress by Times Higher Education in Bangkok, Thailand, June 10-13, 2024.
In addition to these prestigious events, she has been invited as a guest lecturer and master class speaker at various renowned companies and organizations, including ABSA Bank, African Bank, and the South African Broadcasting Corporation. She has also participated as a mentor in the Mentor the Mentor program of Mercedes, South Africa. Furthermore, she has presented at numerous national and international platforms, spanning locations such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Bulgaria.
Dr Barman holds professional, supportive and permanent membership of various Professional Bodies and Management Associations such as:
- European Marketing and Management Association
- Institute of Business Advisors Southern Africa (IBASA)
- African Women in Business
- All India Management Association (AIMA)
- Advisory Member of the International Economic Development and Research Center (IEDRC)
- International Association of Engineering and Management Education (IAEME)
- Member of the British Educational Leadership, Management, and Administration Society.
