LEADERSHIP WITH VISION: Prof. Mohan Leads Bennett Design
Times of Bennett | Updated: Aug 01, 2025 13:56
Bennett University is doubling down on its creative and digital ambitions by appointing Prof. (Dr.) Manisha Mohan as Dean of the School of Design . An alumna of the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad and a trailblazer across communication design, animation, game development, and emerging tech, Prof. Mohan arrives with 25 years of senior leadership in both industry and academia.
From heading design and innovation at Tata Interactive Systems to steering two of India’s largest private design schools—UPES Dehradun and UID, Karnavati University—she has built programmes that unite studio craft with digital fluency. At UPES, she boosted enrolments, expanded placement pipelines, and forged marquee alliances; at UID, she oversaw faculty development and rolled out future-focused curricula aligned with global benchmarks.
Prof. Mohan’s portfolio includes award-winning projects recognised by Brandon Hall, Apex,CII Design , and eMaharashtra. She has chaired NASSCOM’s Serious Games SIG, co-organised the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC), and advised top institutes such as IDC, IIT Bombay, IIT Gandhinagar, and NID. Her governance credentials extend to the CII National Design Committee and the India Game Developer Council. At the same time, her industry reach spans robotics start-up Endoenergy Systems and China’s creative hub, MUSIC , Houzou.
At Bennett, Prof. (Dr.) Mohan’s mandate is threefold:
1. FutureReady Curriculum : embed UI/UX, AR/VR, game design, and instructional design across all programmes, syncing with NEP, NAAC, and global design school standards.
2.Industry Co-Creation: leverage her networks to launch live studios with gaming, ed tech, and animation giants, ensuring graduates are portfolio-ready on day one.
3. Innovation & Impact Labs: establish interdisciplinary spaces where designers collaborate with engineers and MBAs to prototype solutions for healthcare, sustainability, and digital media.
Her appointment marks Bennett University’s next leap toward becoming India’s destination campus for design-led, technology-infused innovation.
From heading design and innovation at Tata Interactive Systems to steering two of India’s largest private design schools—UPES Dehradun and UID, Karnavati University—she has built programmes that unite studio craft with digital fluency. At UPES, she boosted enrolments, expanded placement pipelines, and forged marquee alliances; at UID, she oversaw faculty development and rolled out future-focused curricula aligned with global benchmarks.
Prof. Mohan’s portfolio includes award-winning projects recognised by Brandon Hall, Apex,
At Bennett, Prof. (Dr.) Mohan’s mandate is threefold:
1. Future
2.Industry Co-Creation: leverage her networks to launch live studios with gaming, ed tech, and animation giants, ensuring graduates are portfolio-ready on day one.
3. Innovation & Impact Labs: establish interdisciplinary spaces where designers collaborate with engineers and MBAs to prototype solutions for healthcare, sustainability, and digital media.
Her appointment marks Bennett University’s next leap toward becoming India’s destination campus for design-led, technology-infused innovation.
