Bengaluru: Kulbhushan Balooni, a distinguished academician with over 25 years of experience with premier education institutions, has recently assumed the position of Vice-Chancellor at the Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar.
Professor Balooni, who has worked with multiple leadership roles at IIM Kozhikode, IIM Kashipur, and IIM Amritsar, brings unmatched experience & expertise in academic administration, research, and building institutional brands, the university said in a release.
Balooni is renowned for his transdisciplinary research on environmental sustainability, development policy, and social entrepreneurship. He was one of the founding faculty members to join IIM Kozhikode in 1997–1998. Subsequently, he was appointed Director (In-charge) of IIM Kozhikode from 2014-2018, where he played a crucial role in leading entrepreneurship and research activities.
Balooni was also a key figure in nurturing IIM Amritsar as its first mentor director. Following a fruitful tenure from 2019 to 2024, he served IIM Kashipur as a Director. During this stint, he spearheaded numerous initiatives ranging from fostering innovation to promoting entrepreneurship, supporting research, and handling government directives that boasted the institution’s reputation.
Balooni is also a LEAD (Leadership for Environment & Development) Fellow. He has been a visiting scholar at prestigious institutions, including the National University of Singapore, the University of Copenhagen, Uppsala University, and Wageningen University & Research.
All this global exposure and academic expertise are likely to push Birla Global University to new heights under his leadership.
Birla Global University is led by Jayashree Mohta, Chairperson of the Birla Academy of Art & Culture, who is an acclaimed academician in India. The university is governed by a Board of Governors, with the Governor of Odisha serving as its Chancellor.