upGrad welcomes former G20 Sherpa of India Amitabh Kant to its Board of Directors
Online higher education platform upGrad has announced the appointment of Amitabh Kant to its Board of Directors as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
Kant was previously CEO at Indian thinktank NITI Aayog and G20 Sherpa of India and played a leading role in national campaigns including Make in India, Startup India and Incredible India.
As India’s G20 Sherpa, Kant played a pivotal role in creating global consensus across critical economic and developmental priorities. As CEO at NITI Aayog, he led programs on digital governance, sustainability and public-private partnerships.
Kant says: "I believe India needs new-age skilling, given our demographic advantage. We need two things; how to upskill our people quickly and how to collaborate with good companies - both of which upGrad is doing very well. They are increasing their association with private and public universities, as well as companies, to create a complete pipeline of talent for job readiness and entrepreneurship. This is what the government has been advocating, and I am glad to join the board of upGrad to further support them in this endeavour."
Kant’s appointment comes as upGrad plans to focus on preparing India’s workforce for the future while also supporting India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder and Chairperson at upGrad, adds, "We are building upGrad with the same discipline and long-term mindset that India's new growth story demands. Sustainable momentum, strong governance, and meaningful learner outcomes - not hyperbole - are what drive us.
“Amitabh has spent his career shaping some of India's biggest transformational missions, and that perspective is invaluable as we deepen our global footprint and widen our impact. His independent rigor and strategic clarity are qualities we greatly value, and his presence signals that we are on the right track, building a profitable, globally relevant learning engine from India with deep roots and big ambition."
