Chief Executive Officer
Dr. R. Hafeez Basha is a prominent figure in higher education, skill development and entrepreneurship. He has played a pivotal role in shaping these sectors through various advisory positions, notably at the National Skill Training Institute under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India; the Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge, the skill development agency of the Government of Telangana; and the prestigious Engineering Staff College of India, an autonomous organ of the Institution of Engineers (IE-India) focused on upskilling the engineers of the country. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Basha has held numerous leadership roles, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Technology Business Incubator at Osmania University and prior to that at Chandigarh University. He has also served as Dean and Director at various engineering colleges and business schools, and also has a strong corporate background with key positions held at companies like Thomson Reuters, Satyam Computers and Pentagram.
As the Co-Founder & CEO of the SMRC Educational Foundation, Dr. Basha is committed to the vision and mission of the organization where he focuses on equipping individuals with skills that enhance employability and promote entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, the foundation has established partnerships with government bodies, industries, and educational institutions to deliver subsidized courses and impactful learning experiences. He was instrumental in leveraging the Government Schemes and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to impart well designed Masterclasses, Bootcamps, Workshops, etc. for the benefit of students. His commitment extends beyond education; he actively engages in social entrepreneurship and initiatives related to rural development and youth empowerment. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, reflecting his belief in the transformative power of education. Dr. Basha did his Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad; Master of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur with sponsorship with Thomson Reuters through their ‘Learn While you Earn Program’ where he was also a recipient of ‘Young Scientist Award’; Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D) in Advanced Technology from Kumamoto University, Japan through ‘Monbukagakusho Scholarship’ of the Japanese Government. He even received ‘Dean’s Award for Research Excellence’ during his convocation. After returning to India he led assignments at NITI-Aayog, Union Public Service Commission, All India Council for Technical Education, etc. He has a distinction of visiting 13+ countries, delivering 130+ Invited Talks and got featured in 200+ newspaper articles, television channels and other media platforms.