- Dr Ravi Kant graduated from Aston University in 1970
- He is credited with Tata’s takeover and turnaround of Jaguar Land Rover when it was bought from Ford in 2008
- He is one of the University’s 2,600 graduates in India.
A former vice-chairman of Tata Motors has become the new president of Aston University’s Indian alumni network.
Dr Ravi Kant has more than 50 years senior level experience. He became the Indian auto firm’s managing director in 2005 and in 2009 he became the non-executive vice -chairman till 2014. He is credited with the company’s takeover and turnaround of Jaguar Land Rover bought from Ford in 2008. Prior to this role he was a director on the board of Philips India.
Dr Kant graduated from Aston University in 1970 with a masters in industrial metallurgy management techniques and in 2008 he received an honorary doctorate. He is one of the University’s 2,600 graduates in India, who are represented by a formal alumni network which operates digitally via WhatsApp. It was established in 2022 and as most graduates live in major cities, launch events were held in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.
Following a restructure Dr Kant was named as the new president and was officially inaugurated with Dr Gaurav Brahmbhatt as vice-president on Monday 17 February in Mumbai.
Speaking at the event, Dr Kant said: “Aston University is an institution which is forward looking and pragmatic. It embraces diversity, encourages excellence and was pivotal in shaping my early career.
“I am very proud to be inaugurated as the first president of the Aston University alumni network of India. I look forward to working with Dr Gaurav Brahmbhatt and the alumni leadership team in India to make an impact in the region.”
Also attending the event was Professor Osama Khan, Aston University’s deputy vice-chancellor (academic) who added: “Thanks to Ravi Kant and Gaurav Brahmbhatt for leading the chapter as the president and vice-president respectively. It is energising to see the development in Mumbai but more importantly the growth mindset of our Indian alumni. The Aston Alumni Community India chapter has a solid structure for truly engaging our alumni community with Aston University’s 2030 strategy and beyond.”
As well as holding an honorary doctorate, Dr Kant contributes to the University’s BJ Meadows’ alumni scholarship programme which sponsors students at Aston University. In 2024 Aston University’s Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Aleks Subic hosted the launch of Dr Kant’s book Leading from the Back to Achieve the Impossible.
- Notes to Editors
About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk