Professor (Dr.) Akhil Bhardwaj
Executive Dean and Director – Office of International Affairs & Global Initiatives Professor of Practice – International Affairs O. P. Jindal Global University (JGU)
Professor (Dr.) Akhil Bhardwaj is a higher education leader and internationalisation strategist with over 18 years of progressive experience in conceptualising, developing, and executing global engagement strategies for universities and higher education institutions. His work spans the design and implementation of comprehensive internationalisation frameworks that strengthen institutional global presence, foster academic excellence, and create sustainable international partnerships. He has successfully led initiatives across the entire spectrum of international higher education, including strategic partnerships, transnational education, student and faculty mobility, collaborative research, joint and dual degree programmes, academic innovation, and institutional capacity building.
A recognised expert in higher education internationalisation, Dr. Bhardwaj has extensive experience in engaging with universities, higher education institutions, government agencies, and research organisations across more than 100 countries. Throughout his career, he has established and nurtured collaborations with several of the world's leading institutions, including numerous universities ranked among the global top 100 and top 500. His ability to build long-term strategic alliances across diverse educational ecosystems has enabled institutions to expand their global footprint while advancing meaningful academic, research, and policy collaborations.
Dr. Bhardwaj's leadership is distinguished by his ability to translate institutional vision into actionable global strategies. He has successfully planned and implemented internationalisation roadmaps that integrate academic, research, and administrative priorities with global engagement objectives. His expertise encompasses the formulation of international strategies, establishment of institutional partnerships, development of innovative study abroad programmes, articulation and credit transfer frameworks, faculty engagement initiatives, collaborative research ecosystems, and sustainable international academic networks. His approach combines strategic foresight with operational excellence, ensuring that international initiatives deliver measurable institutional impact while remaining aligned with evolving global higher education trends.
His scholarly interests lie at the intersection of Higher Education, Soft Power, and Education Diplomacy. Dr. Bhardwaj's doctoral research explored the role of higher education as an instrument of diplomacy and international engagement, examining how universities contribute to strengthening international relations, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and enhancing a nation's global influence. His work reflects a strong commitment to understanding the strategic role of universities in shaping international cooperation and knowledge diplomacy.
As an active contributor to the global higher education community, Dr. Bhardwaj has participated in over 100 international conferences, seminars, policy dialogues, and academic forums across the world. Through invited talks, panel discussions, and institutional engagements, he has contributed to international conversations on higher education internationalisation, global partnerships, student mobility, transnational education, education diplomacy, and the evolving role of universities in addressing global challenges. His academic and professional engagements have enabled him to work closely with senior university leaders, policymakers, diplomats, and international education practitioners, fostering collaborations that advance institutional excellence and global knowledge exchange.
Dr. Bhardwaj holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Diplomacy from the Jindal School of International Affairs at O.P. Jindal Global University. He also holds two master's degrees, an M.A. in International Relations and an MBA along with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Mechanical Engineering. His multidisciplinary academic background, combined with extensive leadership experience in international higher education, enables him to bring a strategic, interdisciplinary, and globally informed perspective to the development of internationalisation strategies that create lasting value for universities and their stakeholders.