Director, Office of International Affairs

Role Summary:

The Director of International Affairs at Ahmedabad University will lead the institution's global engagement strategy, fostering high-impact partnerships and enabling transformative international opportunities for students and faculty. The role supports the University's mission of building a global research and learning ecosystem grounded in interdisciplinary education, contextual relevance, and academic excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

- Formulate and execute the international strategy that aligns with the mission and vision of the university
- Advise senior leadership on emerging trends and global opportunities in higher education and research.
- Promote an institutional culture of internationalism, diversity, and cross-cultural engagement.

Global Partnerships and Institutional Collaborations

- Identify, develop, and manage strategic international partnerships with universities, research institutions, and global networks.
- Negotiate and manage MoUs, student/faculty exchange agreements, and collaborative academic initiatives
- Coordinate with Deans, Centres, and Programme Chairs to ensure relevance and impact of international engagements.

International Student Recruitment and Experience

- Collaborate with Admissions and Communications teams to build the University's profile internationally and attract high-quality international students.
- Oversee services supporting international students' academic success, cultural integration, and well-being.
- Ensure compliance with immigration regulations and support visa processes in collaboration with relevant agencies.

Student and Faculty Mobility

- Design and implement outbound mobility programs for students and faculty, including semester exchange, short-term study abroad, internships, and research immersion.
- Ensure academic alignment and credit articulation for exchange programs in consultation with faculty.
- Facilitate faculty development opportunities with international partners.

Research Collaboration and Global Academic Initiatives

- Enable international research collaborations, visiting faculty programmes, and cross-border knowledge exchange.
- Support faculty in developing international grant proposals and collaborative research projects.
- Organise global conferences, workshops, and thematic networks anchored at Ahmedabad University.

Operational and Compliance

- Lead the International Affairs Office, including staffing, budgeting, and process development.
- Ensure transparent and efficient management of partnership agreements, program evaluations, and compliance reporting.
- Maintain robust data and analytics on international engagement to inform strategic decision-making.

Compliance and Risk Management

- Ensure institutional compliance with relevant national and international regulations (e.g., UGC, FRRO, data protection).
- Monitor reputational, legal, and operational risks in all international partnerships and activities.

Representation and Outreach

- Represent Ahmedabad University in international forums, education fairs, consular briefings, and global academic networks.
- Build institutional relationships with embassies, consulates, and international education agencies.
- Promote Ahmedabad University's academic offerings, research strengths, and global ethos through targeted outreach initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience:

- Master's degree or higher in International Relations, Education, Public Policy, or a related field.
- Minimum of 15–20 years of relevant experience in international higher education, academic partnerships, or global engagement.
- Demonstrated leadership in building and managing international collaborations in an academic or research-intensive environment.
- Strong understanding of international student recruitment, visa policies, and regulatory frameworks.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-cultural skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with academic and administrative leadership across disciplines.

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