06 January 2026: The University of Southampton has appointed Professor Abhilash Nair as Director of Research and Enterprise at its new India campus.  

Professor Nair will be responsible for advancing research, knowledge exchange and enterprise that will be locally grounded and globally impactful.

He will join the University of Southampton Delhi in February.

This new post will help deliver a world class education and student experience, with a strong emphasis on producing career-ready graduates who will make a meaningful impact.

Professor Nair will be responsible for ensuring that research and enterprise activities are aligned with India’s National Education Policy 2020 and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas such as inclusive growth, digital innovation, and climate resilience.

He currently leads a data protection consultancy project in India and was previously an Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Innovation at the University of Exeter. He is an internationally recognised expert in online safety, children’s rights and data privacy.

Professor Nair said: “I am delighted to be joining the University of Southampton Delhi at such a pivotal moment for the new campus. Southampton has a long-standing global reputation for research excellence, knowledge exchange, enterprise, and innovation. I look forward to working with colleagues in Delhi and across the wider University to build a strong and collaborative research and enterprise environment that is locally grounded and focused on delivering meaningful global impact.

It is an honour to serve as the inaugural Director of Research and Enterprise for Southampton’s new campus in Delhi, and to help shape a world-class research, knowledge exchange, and enterprise ecosystem for the region and beyond.”

Professor Eloise Phillips, Academic Provost at the University of Southampton Delhi, said: “The Director of Research and Enterprise will play a key strategic role as we embed world-leading research and knowledge exchange and enterprise activity.

“We welcome Abhilash to the University of Southampton Delhi and look forward to working collaboratively to ensure the campus research and enterprise strategy supports our commitment to make a positive social impact, transforming lives and enhancing prosperity across the globe.”

University of Southampton Delhi became India’s first global top 100 university when the campus in Gurugram opened in August, providing high-quality education rooted in research excellence, innovation and real-world opportunities for Indian students. Southampton was the first University to receive approval to set up a campus by the University Grants Commission, India’s national Higher Education regulator.