Ravneet Pawha

Ravneet Pawha is a visionary in international education, celebrated for fostering transformative Australia-India partnerships in education, research, and community development. With over 30 years of experience, she has set benchmarks in global engagement and collaboration. As Vice President of Global Engagement and CEO for South Asia at Deakin University, Ravneet has played a pivotal role in advancing the university’s global standing. She led the establishment of Deakin as India’s first international university in 1994 and the launch of the world’s first international teaching campus in GIFT City, Gujarat, in 2023. Her strategic focus on student recruitment, mobility, and research collaborations has driven impactful initiatives, seamlessly bridging global opportunities with local needs. Beyond academia, she champions equity and empowerment through her roles as Chairperson of the Business and Community Foundation and the Australia India Women’s Leadership Forum. Her contributions on prestigious boards further solidify her influence in the Australia-India corridor. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Business Leader of the Year award for the Australia-India Corridor and Deakin University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence. Most recently, she was honored with the 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Team Member of the Year Award. Recognized among the Top 10 Women of Indian Origin Making a Difference in Australia, Ravneet continues to lead with passion and purpose.