Few leaders stand at the intersection of academia and innovation with the depth and intentionality of Dr. Sunitha Kshatriya, Ph.D. The ecosystems she has created, the lives she has touched, and the human-centric philosophy that underpins her work define her journey far more than titles or accolades.
When she founded the American University in Dubai’s (AUD) certified incubator in 2021, she was not simply launching a structural entity; she was laying the foundation of a vision—where technology, creativity, and empathy converge to solve real human challenges.
Building Dreams from the Ground Up
Dr. Kshatriya’s philosophy-driven ecosystem places human connection at its core. At AUD’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, she introduced human-centric Design Thinking methodologies for exploring the problem space and shaping solution strategies, alongside BlockLab—a cutting-edge platform supported by strategic grants that empowers students, alumni, and founders to leverage blockchain, AI, and gaming technologies in building monetizable applications. Here, innovation is never abstract; it is harnessed as a practical tool for meaningful problem-solving.
“Every professional is a human first; my leadership and mentoring philosophy is deeply rooted in this human centric perspective,” she affirms—a belief that infuses every workshop, mentoring session, and partnership.
Under her leadership, the center has hosted over 250 workshops covering entrepreneurial mindset, ideation, incubation, and acceleration. Strategic collaborations with Dubai SME, Dubai Future Foundation, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund and Grant Thornton, have provided startups not only funding, but also access to networks, mentorship, and long-term ecosystem support.
Academic Foundation Meets Innovation Catalyst
Armed with a Ph.D. in Human Resource Management from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, and enriched by academic experiences at Stanford, Columbia, and the University of Toronto, Dr. Kshatriya blends theory with real-world practice.
Her commitment to lifelong learning distinguishes her leadership. From Stanford D-School’s Design Thinking and Experiential Teaching programs, to Columbia’s Embodied Leadership, she has consistently infused her teaching with innovative, human-centered approaches. Certified across multiple quality assurance and innovation frameworks, she champions empathy-led pedagogy.
“Design Thinking with empathy as a guiding light has transformed my approach, empowering me to help students and founders create meaningful impact,” she notes.
Revolutionary Pedagogy in Action
Step into one of her classes, and traditional lectures give way to immersive, experiential learning. Students brainstorm, co-create, and simulate entrepreneurial challenges, developing not just business models but resilient mindsets. Her experiential methodologies uses all 8 pedagogical levers of learning that include: Activities, Assessments, Artifcats, Rituals, Roles, Space & Sound, Shared Behaviors, Language & Communication.
Her courses on design thinking, ideation, advanced synthesis, and business model development span face-to face, hybrid, and online modalities, ensuring both accessibility and the human connection she prioritizes.
She tells her students: “Follow your heart. Authentic inner guidance leads to the actualization of one’s full potential.”
A Proven Track Record of Institutional Excellence
Before her tenure at AUD, Dr. Kshatriya served as Director of Institutional Effectiveness at Al Dar University College, where she spearheaded quality assurance initiatives, advanced accreditations, and guided the institution toward winning the UAE Innovation Award (2018).
Her earlier roles in Canada and the UAE—including program leadership at the London School of Business and Finance in Toronto, and visiting faculty positions at York University and Seneca College—cemented her reputation for bridging theory and practice. Here she also won the prestigious Status of Women financial award that helped fund her Leaders in Residence Women Empowerment project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62OQSsBvZTw
Beyond Academia: A Commitment to Impact
Her influence reaches far beyond university walls. She serves on advisory panels for UAE incubator networks and youth organizations, contributes to the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation, and volunteers at Vipassana meditation centers.
As an author, she explores empowerment and spiritual awakening in works such as The Divine Within: A Soul’s Journey to Eternity (2025). Her scholarly contributions appear in leading journals like the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, covering themes from happiness and empowerment to knowledge transfer and innovation in higher education.
A Philosophy that Drives Success
Dr. Kshatriya’s approach is anchored in self-efficacy, authenticity, and positive intention. She defines entrepreneurship not as a subject, but as a lived value system.
“The only right thing is responding to human needs; failing to do so means not creating real value for the world,” she emphasizes. She also encourages her mentees to embrace failure: “Failure is the foundation upon which the highest levels of success are built.”
Envisioning Tomorrow’s Innovation Landscape
Looking ahead, she sees Artificial Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence, Mentorship, and Building Student-led Entrepreneurial Eco-systems from ground up, as transformative forces for the future of education and entrepreneurship. Her vision is one where technology is harmonized with human values, delivering ethical, inclusive, and sustainable innovation.
The Enduring Impact
Dr. Sunitha Kshatriya exemplifies how academic excellence, innovative pedagogy, and empathetic leadership can redefine entrepreneurship education. Her ecosystems nurture not only profitable ventures, but also purpose-driven innovators who build futures of significance.
In an age when metrics often overshadow meaning, she champions a human-centered paradigm: one that honors dignity alongside growth, authenticity alongside success, and global reach alongside personal connection.
Her story demonstrates that true innovation does not emerge from algorithms alone—it arises from deep understanding of human needs, dreams, and potential.
As she continues to bridge hearts and minds, Dr. Kshatriya proves that the greatest leaders do not merely teach entrepreneurship—they embody it as a profoundly human endeavor.
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