UQ India Alumni Network

Dhruv Khanna
UQ India Alumni Network Chair
Dhruv is a business leader with over 16 years of experience in the technology, real estate and education sectors. His expertise lies in business development, operations and leading cross-functional, multi-stakeholder initiatives. He is currently working as Director, Residential Services at Savills, a $3bn British company with offices in 70+ countries.

Prahasith Gandi (Co-chair)
Master of Project Management 16
Prahasith Gandi is currently serving as co-chair in the UQ India alumni network. Prahas worked as a Project Coordinator for consulting firms in the field of Building Services & Engineering in Brisbane and Canberra and soon discovered his passion for working with automobiles. He is currently working as a Project Manager for Volvo based out of Bengaluru, India.

Favourite UQ Memory: "My graduation ceremony at UQ still remains one of the most memorable and unforgettable days of my life, filled with mixed emotions and feelings. It felt like both an ending and a new beginning. UQ has given me a lot to cherish: warm memories with my friends at the Great Court, attending classes drinking Merlo coffee, burning the midnight oil before exams at Duhig, and never-ending assignments at BSL while having big dreams for the future! I always wanted to connect with my peers, friends, and fellow alumni across the globe, and UQ Global Connections made this possible. I made a lot of good friends from Global Connections events.

Smrita Chaudhury
Ph.D. in Vascular Developmental Genetics Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ, 2015-2020 Senior Scientific Advisor, Neovation Consultancy Services Pte. Ltd
I am Smrita Chaudhury, currently based in Assam, in northeast India, home to the one-horned Indian rhinoceros and tea estates. I have completed my Ph.D. in vascular developmental genetics using zebrafish as the model organism at UQ. On completion of my Ph.D., I chose to transition from academia to clinical trial management at Novotech, a multinational clinical research organization in Australia. Thereafter, I applied my passion for science, public outreach, and writing by pursuing a career in medical communications with Neovation Consultancy Services Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based medical communications company, and as an independent science columnist at The Assam Tribune, a leading English media house in Assam. I am keen to network with UQ alumni and strengthen awareness about UQ in India as a destination for world-class education to aspiring students. Favourite UQ memory? Enjoying bubble tea while taking in the full bloom of the Jacarandas on a stroll along the UQ lakes. LinkedIn.

Ashwin Sreekumar
MBA, Class of 2007
To quote Christine Gregorie, "Education is the foundation upon which we build our future".

UQ gave me the foundation upon which I was able to build a stable future for me and for my family. At UQ, I served as the President of the Business School Postgraduate Association and also received the Dean's commendation for Academic excellence. Upon graduating from UQ, I worked in the Banking Industry in Australia for over 10 years across Personal and Premium Banking. Having worked and lived in all of the major cities in Australia, I decided to take up a new challenge and gain valuable Banking experience in India, one of the biggest Banking markets in the world. While in India, I was privileged to be elected the first Chair of the UQ Alumni Committee in India. I believe every decision happens for a reason and looking back, my move to India made me realize that I could contribute more to UQ from India by talking to prospective students about my journey as an International student to an Australian citizen which began at The University of Queensland and advise and guide them in every way possible. This realization led me to switch industries from Banking to Education. I currently serve as Senior Recruitment Adviser for The University of Queensland based out of Bengaluru, India.

Favourite UQ Memory?
Receiving the 'Service to the Community' award by The Smith Family Foundation at the annual Top MBA Awards ceremony.

LinkedIn: Connect with Ashwin on LinkedIn

Ameya Deshmukh
Master of Communication, 2020
Safety and Training Officer at Diamantina Shire Council, Bedourie, Australia

I am Ameya Deshmukh from Pune, India and have been living in Queensland, Australia since July 2018. Life at The University of Queensland allowed me to expand my horizons and prepared me for the fast paced, diverse and multi-skilled world. I am currently working in remote Queensland with Diamantina Shire Council. I am interested in connecting with aspiring international students at UQ and other alumni so that we can create a community where everyone is mutually able to collaborate and help each other grow, now and in the future.

Favourite UQ memory?
A hot coffee while admiring and appreciating the historic beauty of limestone architecture in the Great Court.

LinkedIn: Connect with Ameya on LinkedIn
 

Navraj Singh
MEngSc(Mang.) in Electrical Engineering, 2015
English Language Instructor/ Self employed

I have had varied learning and growing experiences in life. I pursued education in engineering. I love learning new things, doing adventurous activities and meeting new people. I had a very memorable experience at UQ and I would like to cherish it again by connecting with fellow UQ students. I learned a lot of skills in my profession which has helped me live a better and more fulfilled life. I would like to highlight the contribution UQ has made to my life by engaging with other UQ alumni in my region.

Favourite UQ memory?
Hanging by UQ lakes, strolling by the river, working in libraries, labs, group work… I can’t choose just one.

LinkedIn: Connect with Navraj on LinkedIn