Our people

Dr Atul Mehta

Associate Professor, Economics

Dr Atul Mehta is an economist specialising in development economics, household finance and public policy, with academic training from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore. He brings extensive experience in teaching, research and policy engagement, bringing a strong focus on applying economic analysis to real-world challenges.​

His research explores how financial inclusion, financial literacy and financial capability influence poverty, inequality and household welfare, particularly in emerging economies. Published in leading international journals, his work contributes to policy debates on inclusive growth, sustainable development and evidence-based economic policymaking.​

Dr Mehta teaches across managerial economics, macroeconomics, the Indian economy, international economics and public policy. He is passionate about helping students build strong analytical and problem-solving skills while understanding how economic theory informs business strategy, public policy and decision-making in an increasingly interconnected world.​

Alongside his academic work, Dr Mehta has led and contributed to research and policy projects for central and state governments, industry and development organisations in areas including financial inclusion, rural development, energy access, healthcare, regional development and impact evaluation. He believes that combining rigorous research with practical application enables students to better understand, and ultimately help address, the economic challenges facing India and the global economy.​

"Economics is most powerful when it helps us understand complex problems and design better solutions. My goal is to equip students with the analytical tools and policy perspective to make informed decisions and create meaningful impact in business, government and society."

Dr Harshavardhan Chenji

Associate Professor, Cyber Security

Dr Harshavardhan Chenji is an internationally experienced researcher and educator whose work spans cyber security, artificial intelligence, computer networks and advanced computing systems. With experience across leading universities in the United States and India, he brings a strong combination of research excellence, academic leadership and industry engagement.​

He holds a PhD and MS in Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University (USA) and a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from NIT Karnataka, Surathkal.​

Before joining UNSW Bengaluru, Dr Chenji was a tenured Associate Professor at Ohio University, USA. He also held research positions at the University of Texas at Dallas (USA) and has worked extensively with government agencies, industry partners and research organisations.

Throughout his career, he has secured more than US$4.8 million in competitive research funding and led pioneering work in areas ranging from cyber security and artificial intelligence to next-generation computing technologies.​

His contributions to research and innovation have earned international recognition, including the Russ Outstanding Research Paper Award from Ohio University (USA) and a Best Paper Award at IEEE Quantum Week 2025. He is also a dedicated mentor who has guided students and researchers at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels while contributing to curriculum development and new academic programs.​

At UNSW Bengaluru, Dr Chenji helps students develop the technical knowledge, analytical thinking and practical problem-solving skills needed in today's technology-driven world. By combining research-led teaching with real-world applications, he prepares students for careers in cyber security, artificial intelligence, advanced computing and emerging technology sectors.

“UNSW's global reputation for academic excellence and research innovation makes this a truly exciting opportunity. I am eager to contribute to the growth of cybersecurity and emerging technology research while helping students develop the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.”

Dr Kevin Limanta

Lecturer
School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW Sydney

Dr Kevin Limanta is a mathematician specialising in algebraic combinatorics and discrete harmonicanalysis, areas that help address complex problems in mathematics, computing and data-drivenfields. His research explores mathematical structures and patterns that underpin moderntechnologies and analytical thinking.​

He holds a PhD in Mathematics from UNSW Sydney and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics fromthe Bandung Institute of Technology, one of Indonesia's leading universities. His doctoral researchexamined mathematical problems involving finite fields and geometry, contributing to advances inpure mathematics.​​

At UNSW, Dr Limanta has taught and convened core first-year mathematics courses in calculus andalgebra, helping students build the quantitative foundations required across science, engineering,technology and business disciplines.​

His research has been published in areas including combinatorics and finite-field mathematics,reflecting his ongoing contribution to the mathematical sciences.​

Through his teaching, Dr Limanta helps students develop analytical reasoning, problem-solving andmathematical modelling skills that are highly valued across industries. These capabilities provide astrong foundation for careers in technology, data analytics, finance, engineering, research and otherquantitative fields.​

“Mathematics develops the ability to think logically, solve complex problems and adapt to newchallenges—skills that are valuable in almost every profession.”

Dr Tathagata Basu

Assistant Professor, Statistics

Dr Tathagata Basu is a data scientist and statistician specialising in statistical modelling, Bayesian analysis and machine learning, with international research experience across leading institutions in the UK and Europe.​

Dr Basu holds a PhD in Statistics from Durham University (UK) and has worked at globally recognised institutions including Newcastle University (UK), the University of Strathclyde (UK) and CNRS (France). ​

His research is published in leading international journals and conferences, contributing to advances in modern data science and statistical learning.​

His work focuses on developing data-driven models to solve real-world problems, including decision-making under uncertainty in areas such as sports, engineering, healthcare, and complex systems. 

Through his teaching, he helps students apply statistical and data science methods to practical challenges, equipping them with capabilities in strong demand across India and globally.​

His teaching emphasises real-world application and analytical thinking, preparing students for impactful roles in technology, data analytics and research.​

“My goal is to help students build a strong foundation in data science and statistical thinking so they can solve complex problems in a data-driven global environment.”

Dr Vindhya Weeratunga

Lecturer
School of Business, UNSW Canberra

Dr Vindhya Weeratunga is an internationally experienced educator and researcher specialising inhuman resource management, organisational behaviour, leadership and the future of work. Drawingon experience as both an HR practitioner and business leader before entering academia, she brings apractical perspective to understanding how people and organisations succeed in a changing world.​

She holds a PhD in Management from UNSW, an MBA (Merit) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Sri Lanka), and a BSc in Business Administration specialising in InternationalBusiness Management from Goldey-Beacom College (USA), where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.​

Dr Weeratunga's research focuses on employee engagement, wellbeing, leadership, systems thinkingand the future of work. Her work has contributed to major research projects examining flexible andhybrid work, workforce productivity and employee wellbeing, and has been published in leadinginternational journals. She has also received recognition for her scholarship, including the O'LearyPrize for Excellence in Scholarship in Gender and Public Administration.​

At UNSW, Dr Weeratunga teaches subjects including organisational behaviour, people managementand performance. She helps students develop the leadership, communication and problem-solvingskills needed to work effectively in diverse organisations and global business environments. Byconnecting research, real-world business challenges and workplace practices, she prepares studentsto lead teams, manage change and build successful careers across industries.​

“As someone who has worked in both industry and academia, I am passionate about helping studentsunderstand how organisations really work and developing the skills needed to succeed in the futureworkplace.”

Dr Viraj Kumar

Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering

Dr Viraj Kumar is a leading expert in computer science education, bringing global experience from top institutions including IISc Bangalore and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA).​

He holds a PhD and MS from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has received the Rose Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education.​

His work focuses on developing strong programming and problem-solving skills, using innovative teaching methods and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to prepare students for real-world challenges.​

His research has been published in leading international venues including ACM and IEEE.​

Dr Kumar has also contributed to major national initiatives in India, including the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and NCERT curriculum development, playing an active role in shaping the future of computing education in India.​

His work places him at the forefront of shaping how the next generation of engineers and technology leaders are trained in India.

“My goal is to help students build the skills, confidence and global perspective needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving technology-driven world.”

Professor Payyazhi Jayashree ​

Rector, UNSW Bengaluru

Professor Payyazhi Jayashree is the Rector of UNSW Bengaluru, leading the establishment of UNSW’s India campus as a world-class hub for globally recognised, industry-connected education.​​

An internationally recognised academic leader, she brings more than two decades of experience across Australian, UAE and Indian higher education contexts. She has held senior leadership roles including Dean and Full Professor at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, where sheled large-scale academic transformation across curriculum, research and accreditation in global university environments.​

Professor Jayashree is widely recognised for her expertise in transnational education and for building high-quality academic systems across international campuses. Her leadership has consistently focused on ensuring students receive a globally recognised education aligned with industry needs and emerging technologies.​

With doctoral training from the University of Delhi and deep engagement with national systems, she brings a strong understanding of India’s higher education landscape and the National Education Policy. She is committed to connecting global education with India’s ambitions, enabling students to access international opportunities while remaining rooted in local relevance.​

As Rector, she is leading the development of UNSW Bengaluru as a centre for academic excellence, research and industry collaboration, with a strong focus on innovation, inclusion and student success. Her vision is to create a campus that prepares the next generation of globally competitive graduates.

Sujatha Kumaraswamy​

Chief Operating Officer​, UNSW Bengaluru

Sujatha Kumaraswamy is the Chief Operating Officer of UNSW Bengaluru, bringing global operations and transformation expertise to build a world-class university campus in India.​

A highly accomplished leader with over two decades of experience, she has held senior roles across leading organisations including the Indian School of Business, Manipal Group, Cognizant, Wipro and General Electric. She has a proven track record of building and scaling high-performing organisations, delivering operational excellence across complex global environments.​

She holds an MBA in Finance and Corporate Strategy from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), one of India’s premier business schools, along with strong professional training in finance and management. Sujatha brings a unique combination of industry and education leadership, with deep expertise in building robust, scalable systems that deliver consistent quality and performance at scale.​

With extensive experience across India’s education and industry sectors, she brings a strong understanding of the expectations of students, institutions and employers in India. As Chief Operating Officer, she is responsible for building the operational backbone of UNSW Bengaluru — ensuring world-class infrastructure, seamless student services and globally benchmarked standards across the campus.​

Her focus is on delivering a high-quality, reliable and globally competitive student experience, ensuring every student benefits from the standards of a top international university.​