New Delhi,  February 13, 2016: Coursera, the world’s largest open online education provider, has brought on Dr. Nikhil Sinha as Senior Advisor for Global Initiatives.
Dr. Sinha will  help to develop Coursera’s international strategy and partnerships  and Coursera’s community, currently  in over 140 universities offering online courses to over 17 million registered learners globally.  
Dr. Sinha was until recently the founding Vice Chancellor of the Shiv Nadar University, India’s first research university, established in the philanthropic sector.He has  has over 30 years’ experience as an academician and corporate executive. He has served in the College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin as a faculty member and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Outside the academy, Dr. Sinha has held senior positions in several organizations like Silverskills, eFunds Corporation, iDLX Technology Partners and Adams Capital Management.
Says Rick Levin, CEO, Coursera:  “We are thrilled to welcome Nikhil to the Coursera team. Nikhil brings with him a rich blend of leadership experiences from both the academic and the corporate sectors.  This makes him an ideal fit to help Coursera build strategic partnerships and alliances globally.”
Adds Dr. Sinha: “I believe online education will play a significant role in opening new doors for many millions of capable people in India and all over the world. I have admired Coursera’s mission and global reach since the company launched in 2012, and I look forward to supporting the company in its strategic and international growth.”
Dr. Sinha is the Non-executive Chairman of the Board of HCL Infosystems, one of India’s leading IT companies, a member of the Advisory Board of Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania and a Director Emeritus of the US-India Business Council.He has an M.A. and Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. (Hons.) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University