Somaiya Vidyavihar University (SVU) has announced the appointment of Dr Achala Danait as the Director of Strategy & Industry Partnerships and Dean of Research at SVU.

Dr Achala Danait is the former Managing Director of Clariant India and former Director of Süd Chemie India Private Limited. She has held various roles in India and Asia Pacific during her 10 years with Clariant and was instrumental in establishing the Regional Innovation Centre in India. 

Dr Achala has a PhD from IIT Bombay, followed by Business and Organisational Leadership Development Programs from Texas A& M University, USA and London Business School, UK. She has filed several US patents and co-authored numerous research publications. She is the Chairperson of the R& D Subcommittee of the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) and a mentor at Aspire For Her, an organization committed to changing the diversity equation in India.

Dr Danait has a total of 31 years of experience, including 10 years as a faculty member in institutes affiliated with the University of Pune.

Prof V N Rajasekharan, Vice Chancellor, SVU, said “Dr Achala Danait’s appointment marks a significant milestone for our university, and I have complete confidence that with her expertise and leadership, our industry partnerships will soar to new heights. The strategic vision she can bring to the table will undoubtedly pave the way for innovative collaborations, fostering mutually beneficial relationships between our university and various industries. We are excited to leverage her extensive experience to promote industry academia collaboration and foster a research culture in the University. Heartfelt congratulations on this outstanding addition to our team.”