Surya Narayan

Distinguished academic leader with over 28 years of experience in higher education, including 15 years in senior academic leadership and administration. Proven expertise in institutional leadership, academic governance, quality assurance, curriculum innovation, accreditation, faculty development, and strategic planning. Possesses an exceptional record of leading academic institutions through strategic transformation, educational innovation, and excellence in governance across both Indian and international higher education environments.

A collaborative and strategic leader with extensive experience in working with governing bodies, university systems, regulatory authorities, accreditation agencies, industry partners, and multidisciplinary teams. Committed to advancing institutional excellence, fostering innovation, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and building globally competitive, research-driven, and socially responsible institutions of higher education. Demonstrated expertise in academic administration, institutional planning, curriculum innovation, examination and assessment systems, quality assurance, accreditation, and regulatory compliance.

Proven ability to design and implement outcome-based and competency-driven educational frameworks aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), Student Engagement and Progression (SEP) initiatives, and contemporary higher education quality standards. Extensive experience in developing and promoting entrepreneurship development programmes, industry-integrated learning models, experiential education, and skill-based curricula aimed at enhancing student employability, innovation, and entrepreneurial capabilities.

Academic Director & Principal - EIMR Business School - Bengaluru

(2024-06)

• Head the overall academic and administrative operations of the institution.
• Provide strategic leadership in academic planning, quality enhancement, and institutional development.
• Provide strategic academic leadership for the Business School by driving institutional vision, academic excellence, and innovation through curriculum transformation, faculty development, and industry-integrated learning initiatives aligned with contemporary management education standards and the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
• Lead academic governance and quality assurance frameworks by overseeing programme effectiveness, learning outcomes, assessment systems, accreditation readiness, and regulatory compliance, ensuring continuous improvement in teaching, research, student success, and institutional performance.
• Champion entrepreneurship, global engagement, and stakeholder partnerships by establishing industry collaborations, value-added programmes, international immersion opportunities, and experiential learning initiatives that enhance graduate employability, entrepreneurial competencies, and the overall reputation of the Business School.
• Lead faculty recruitment, performance management, and professional development.
• Liaise with university authorities regarding affiliation, AICTE Approvals, admissions, examinations, compliance, and regulatory matters.
• Introduced value-added certifications and industry-integrated learning initiatives.
• Organized international immersion programs, student development activities, and experiential learning initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Chief Academic Officer - Indian Academy Group of Institutions - Bengaluru

(2021-08 - 2024-06)

• Provided academic leadership for multiple institutions and programs.
• Successfully implemented the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
• Developed and implemented Outcome-Based Education frameworks for an autonomous college.
• Led curriculum reforms and academic restructuring for commerce and management education.
• Collaborated with professional bodies including ACCA and CMA.
• Enhanced digital learning and learning management systems mapping the course and program outcomes aligning with the institutional outcome.
• Actively engaged in curriculum, Teaching and Learning for NAAC institutional accreditation and overall team leader and achieved A++ during the year 2021.
• Developed institutional quality assurance mechanisms.

Director – Quality Assurance - Majan University College - Sultanate of Oman

(2017-02 - 2021-08)

Affiliated with University of Bedfordshire, UK

• Directed institutional quality assurance and academic standards.
• Led assessment moderation, external examiner systems, and academic audits.
• Established quality processes aligned with international standards.
• Introduced new academic programs including Islamic Banking and Finance.
• Coordinated teaching, learning, and assessment enhancement initiatives.
• Led development and maintenance of academic quality standards, focusing on teaching and learning, assessment design, monitoring, and exam board conduct.
• Coordinated with external examiners to ensure assessment accuracy and quality.
• Initiated new programs, including Islamic Banking & Finance, and integrated technology into teaching methods.
• Implemented changes to examination systems for commerce and management subjects to enhance assessment effectiveness.
• Managed the operations of finance programs, ensuring the ongoing relevance of curricula through surveys and annual reports.
• Coordinated module allocations, exam scheduling, student registration, and the overall academic process.
• Utilized advanced tools such as Excel, R Programming, Orange, and Power BI for teaching Finance & Accounting modules.
• Delivered lectures to Postgraduate/MBA students on Accounting for Managers, Strategic Finance, SAPM, and International Finance.

Programme Manager & Senior Lecturer – Finance - Majan University College - Oman

(2013-07 - 2017-08)

• Managed finance programs and academic operations of the department.
• Supervised curriculum reviews and annual program evaluations and monitoring reports.
• Coordinated examinations, registrations, and academic administration and mapping the credits for accredited prior learning.
• Delivered postgraduate finance courses on financial reporting, Financial Management accounting etc.

Senior Lecturer – Finance - Majan University College - Oman

(2010-02 - 2013-07)

• Taught undergraduate and postgraduate finance courses such as financial reporting, Financial Management accounting, Security Analysis and Portfolio Management etc.
• Proficient in delivering both traditional and blended learning modes, enhancing engagement through digital media and interactive exercises.
• Expertise in research-driven teaching, inspiring students to undertake active research and integrate it into classroom experiences. In-depth knowledge of UK teaching standards, particularly in Quality Assurance and curriculum development.
• Supervised student research projects, developed excel tree for accounting and finance modules, designed innovative assessment strategies.
• Introduced technology-enabled finance teaching methodologies.

Head of the Faculty – Department of Commerce & Management - International School for Business & Technology University - East Africa

(2005-02 - 2008-09)

• Taught undergraduate and postgraduate finance courses. Academic operations including timetable scheduling, subject allotments, conduct of exams etc.
• Supervised student research projects, for UG and PG programs.
• Marking and moderation, results evaluation, assessments etc.

Post Doctoral Research Fellow - American University of RAK, UAE (2027)

Ph.D. - K L University, Andhra Pradesh, India (2025)

Senior Fellow - Higher Education Academy, UK (2018)

MBA - Finance & Accounting - University of Mysore (2003)

M.Com. - University of Mysore (1998)

B.Com. - University of Mysore (1996)