INDIA: Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) has announced that Prof. M. Satish Kumar will serve as the inaugural Dean of its new campus located in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India. Prof. Kumar is expected to assume this position in July 2025, where he will provide academic leadership across multiple faculties at the new campus. The campus is projected to welcome its first cohort of students in early 2026.
Before this appointment, Professor Kumar dedicated over 25 years to the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). He also held the position of Director for Queen’s Academy India and Internationalisation, where he significantly contributed to enhancing the University’s global influence in South Asia.
In addition to his role at Queen’s, Prof. Kumar has also held several Visiting Professorships at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; and the University of Calcutta, Kolkata.
Prof. Kumar comments on his appointment: “I’m honoured to take on this pivotal role as we establish Queen’s University’s new international branch campus at GIFT City. This landmark development represents a significant step in our global engagement strategy—enabling us to extend Queen’s world-class education to new regions while forging deep, long-term partnerships with industry and academic stakeholders in India. Together, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the evolving transnational education and economic landscape of the region.”
Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor QUB, says: “I’m delighted to welcome Prof. Satish Kumar to lead Queen’s new campus in India. His leadership will strengthen our academic partnerships and foster collaboration with industry and government to deliver an enriching student experience. This marks a major milestone as we become the first UK Russell Group University in GIFT City. I look forward to working with him as we move towards our opening next year and unlock new opportunities for students, staff, and the wider community.”
Professor Margaret Topping, Pro-Vice Chancellor Global Engagement QUB, said: “We are delighted to appoint Satish as our first Dean of GIFT City. This is a critical role which will set firm foundations for our staff, students, and partners in the country. Satish brings with him a wealth of experience in developing intersectoral partnerships and a thriving collaborative learning environment.”
