Saji Gopinath

Saji Gopinath is Chief Executive Officer of Kerala Startup Mission. Before joining Kerala Startup Mission in April 2017, Dr. Gopinath served IIM Kozhikode for over 17 years as Professor, Dean- Academic and Dean-Development. He also set up the Satellite campus of IIM at Kochi, IIM Amritsar campus in Amritsar as well as instrumental in setting up Asia's first Synchronous e-Learning Programme in Executive Management Education. He also served as founding Dean of Bennett University a modern age multi-disciplinary University of Times of India group established in Greater Noida. He was also associated with Manipal Group as Director of T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) Manipal, one of the top 15 Business schools in the country. A Mechanical Engineer with Ph.D in Management from the Indian Institute of Science, Dr. Gopinath started his career with Larsen & Toubro Ltd and later worked with Oil and Natural Gas Commission. He also serves in various national boards, academic syndicates and also associated with several leading Universities in the world . He is a recipient of several national and international awards for his scholastic and professional achievements. Education Leadership Award (2015), British Council Knowledge Partnership Fellowship (2012), London Business School Best case Study award (2009), B-School Affairs National Award for Best operations management Faculty (2010), ISTE National award (1997) National award for the best integrated agri processing project(2005) etc. are some of them.

Education

• Ph.D , Indian Institute of Science Banglore
• M.Tech Indian Institute of Science Banglore
• B.Tech( Mechanical), University of Kerala

Research Areas

• Project Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology Entrepreneurship and Startups

Other Professional Appointments

• Director, Kerala Academy of Skills Excellence
• Managing Director, IIITMK Ltd. (till Sep 2020)
• Member, Chief Minister's Hi Power IT Committee (2017-2019)

Corporate / Public Sector Leadership

• Chief Executive Officer Kerala Startup Mission Apr 2017- Sep 2020
• Director, Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management Kerala May 2017- Sep2020
• Director, T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) Manipal Mar 2009-June 2011
• Founding Dean, School of Management, Bennet University Nov 2015- Dec 2016
• Dean (Academics) IIM Kozhikode October 2013- June 2015
• Dean (Development) IIM Kozhikode Oct 2011-Oct 2013

Academic Positions

• Professor- IIM Kozhikode since 2008
• Dean- Administration IIMK 2011-2013
• Dean-Academics IIMK 2013-2015

Awards

• State Startup Champion, State Startup Ranking 2019 Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Govt. of India
• KMA Technology Corporate / Public Sector Leadership Award (2019) Kerala Management Association
• Management Corporate / Public Sector Leadership Award (2018) Calicut Management Association
• Ecosystem Enabler Award, TiE