Dr. B. K. Chakravarthy

Dr. B. K. Chakravarty, the distinguished founding dean of Mahindra University, is a visionary educator and innovator with a rich legacy of accomplishments. Before his role at Mahindra University, Dr. Chakravarty established the Shenoy Innovation Studio at IIT Bombay, a pioneering initiative aimed at cultivating a culture of innovation and design thinking among students and faculty. With a profound commitment to fostering creativity and excellence in education, and his leadership and dedication in driving innovation have left an indelible mark on the field of education and continue to inspire the next generation of innovators at Mahindra University.
In recognition of his commitment to education, creativity, and business, Dr. Chakravarthy received the esteemed Institute Chair Professorship in 2015. His partnerships with governmental organizations and professional associations demonstrate his faith in the transformative potential of design, producing significant products like an arsenic filter for Varanasi and an easy-to-maintain mailbox for India Post.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Chakravarthy’s initiatives extend to the establishment of the Design Innovation Center at IIT Bombay in 2014, funded by the Ministry of Education. This centre has played a crucial role in bringing student projects to fruition, resulting in an impressive portfolio of patents and technology transfers with industry partners. Through online courses and video case studies under the Open Design School project, Dr. Chakravarthy’s methodologies have reached a wide student audience, garnering over 150,000 nationwide registrations.

Dr. Chakravarthy’s main areas of interest are product design, innovation, creativity, and design management. He holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Management Studies at IIT Delhi and a master’s in industrial design from IIT Bombay. His experience and passion for education have shaped the next generation of design pioneers at the IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay, where he has taught subjects including design basics, product design, and innovation by design.