Delhi, India
Prof. Bhaskar Mitra: Visionary Leader in Design, Innovation, and Academia With over two decades of transformative experience in the realms of art, design, and academia, Prof. Bhaskar Mitra stands out as a globally recognised thought leader, educator, and strategist. An alumnus of prestigious institutions such as the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), London College of Fashion (LCF), Nottingham Trent University (NTU), and Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), he has consistently leveraged his expertise to bridge creativity with commerce, research with practice, and academia with industry. Prof. Mitra has led initiatives worth over ₹500 million across 40+ design consultancy projects, partnering with organisations such as the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), National Technical Textiles Mission, Ministry of Textiles (Govt. of India), UNESCO, and luxury brands including Zara, Next, Topshop, Mango, Versace, Valentino, Victoria's Secret, and Diesel. His leadership has enabled design schools to achieve profitability, international internships /placements, and industry collaborations while maintaining academic excellence. Industry Engagement and Global Collaborations Prof. Mitra has built international partnerships with universities across Asia, Europe, the UK, USA, and Australia, enabling student exchanges, joint research, and curriculum innovation. His students and projects have been showcased at global trade fairs and fashion events in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Dubai, Europe, Australia, and the USA. Prof. Mitra has mentored over 12,000 students from top institutions such as Pearl Academy, NIFT, KIIT, PID, LPU, LCF, NIFD, NABA, DOMUS Academy, and NTU. His mentorship has resulted in: Students securing industry-leading positions with packages exceeding ₹21 lakhs annually. Wins in prestigious national and international competitions, including Wool Runway Design, Max Design Awards, Vogue Honours, LIVA Protégé, and World Skills Competition.Encouragement of startups and innovative projects, bridging academic learning with entrepreneurial success. Multidisciplinary Approach A hallmark of Prof. Mitra’s leadership is his integration of design with engineering, management, commerce, and technology, creating programs that are innovative, globally relevant, and industry-aligned. His curriculum designs incorporate AI, smart textiles, sustainable materials, and inclusive practices, preparing students for the global creative economy.
Under Prof. Mitra’s leadership, PID has emerged as a nationally respected and globally ambitious design school, rooted in India’s cultural heritage while preparing students for international opportunities. His vision spans craft revival, AI innovation, cinematic storytelling, and global collaborations, positioning PID as a hub for entrepreneurs, changemakers, and future-ready design thinkers. Institutional Impact & Achievements: Consistently exceeded admissions targets with high-quality cohorts and strong conversion rates. Strengthened brand visibility, student satisfaction, retention, financial sustainability, and faculty stability. Spearheaded ₹20 crore NTTM project proposal to the Government of India. Hosted KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar at VFW 4.0, alongside designers Rimple Narula and actor Huma Qureshi, promoting Khadi through “Gen Z” collections. PID wins GOLD at 24FPS International Film Festival, Mumbai; recognised by CINEF / Cannes Film Festival. Hosted the visionary behind films like Cheeni Kum, Paa, Ki & Ka, Pad Man, Chup, and English Vinglish - R. Balki and Amitabha Singh, cinematographer and producer known for the film Khosla Ka Ghosla and the award-winning Chillar Party, Panchayat, among others, inspiring students in storytelling, cinema, and creative courage & applying for 300 + IPR. Organised Industry Conclave with top-notch industry professionals, enhancing industry-academia engagement. Expansion by 1 lakh square feet, significantly improving its capacity for design education and R&D. Academic & Programmatic Leadership: Offers interdisciplinary programs across UI/UX, AI & Design, Fashion, Communication, Product Design, Animation, Film & TV, Interior Architecture & furniture Design, and Visual Arts, M.Des in Animation and VFX, Sound Design, Design and AI & Strategic Design Management and Communication. Prof. Mitra integrates academic rigour with market relevance, emphasising inclusivity, sustainability, and emerging technologies.
As Director, Mr. Mitra developed a comprehensive strategy that positioned the design school as a leader in innovation, integrating multiple disciplines to solve real-world problems through design. He applied for mega projects worth $320 million, both nationally and internationally, and fostered an interdisciplinary approach that combined design thinking with computer science, engineering, management, and commerce, benefiting over 10,000 students. Under his leadership, the school achieved one of the highest placement packages in the university, with a 21 lakh offer in 2024. The school also contributed 45% of the university’s research and consultancy efforts. Mr. Mitra built strong international connections, securing resources from industry leaders such as Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini, Bosch, Arvind Mills, Bestseller, WGSN, and global VFX giants like the Technicolor Group, Bangalore. Additionally, students gained exposure through the AVGC Centre of Excellence (COE), equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to provide the creative production industry with a holistic technological boost. He also spearheaded events like Fashion Shows, Design Hackathons, Trade Fairs and the Design Conclave, exploring themes like AI in Design, Inclusivity, Sustainable Startups, and the Revival of Crafts in the Digital Age. His focus on digital design and technology strengthened the school’s global reputation, aligning strategic vision with long-term goals and organisational objectives, while establishing KPIs to track progress and success.
As Dean, Mr. Mitra oversaw a wide range of academic and operational responsibilities. With a strategic focus on institutional growth, he played a pivotal role in enhancing educational quality and operational efficiency, driving the institution’s profitability. He led high-impact initiatives, such as organising international Fashion shows, significantly boosting the institution’s global profile. Under his leadership, students gained exclusive opportunities to participate in prestigious events, including the Diva Miss Universe Pageant 2023, further elevating the institution’s reputation in the global design community. Mr. Mitra spearheaded mega-sponsored projects worth $62 million, securing critical funding and forging partnerships that fueled institutional growth. He successfully engaged over 200 experts from leading design and innovation industries, including top names like Arvind Mills, Trident, Vardhman Mills, Oswal, Woolmark, Times Group, Diesel, and several Fortune 500 companies. Notable projects included Skill India and Rashtrapati Bhavan, NSDC, NTTM (Govt. of India) and the Ministry of Textiles, significantly enhancing the institution’s impact and visibility. Under his leadership, the design school achieved exceptional placement results, with the highest package offers ranging from 10 lakhs to 21 lakhs. His guidance also facilitated career opportunities for faculty and staff, including offers from prestigious organisations such as ISRO. Mr. Mitra managed administration, admissions, logistics, and education management and led the Design Division, overseeing academic and support services. Additionally, he pioneered inclusive initiatives such as design hackathons for physically disabled students, promoting innovation and accessibility in design. He also strengthened international ties, facilitated global placements and internships, nurtured industry partners, and promoted a multicultural environment that enriched both the student experience and career prospects.
As a Course Leader at a Laureate Group institution, Prof. Bhaskar Mitra was responsible for overseeing all aspects of academic operations and student support, ensuring the effective execution of academic processes and maintaining the institution’s competitive edge. He played a pivotal role in enhancing student satisfaction and fostering a high-quality, enriching learning environment. His key responsibilities included managing administrative operations, course development, logistics, admissions, and overall education management. Prof. Mitra conducted comprehensive market and competitor analyses to ensure the institution remained at the forefront of academic trends and industry standards. Additionally, he provided personalized counseling to students on performance and discipline, promoting both academic excellence and personal growth. Under his leadership and mentorship, students achieved significant success, winning prestigious design competitions such as the Wool Runway Design, Max Design Awards, Runway to New Zealand, Vogue Honors, LIVA Protégé, World of Wearable Art, and the World Skills Competition. Prof. Mitra also led the institution's participation in prominent shows under the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), offering students invaluable exposure to the fashion industry. In addition to his academic achievements, Prof. Mitra pioneered impactful social initiatives, including training inmates at Tihar Jail, New Delhi through design workshops, and leading innovative Khadi projects to support sustainable fashion. These accolades and opportunities, along with his dedication to community development, further solidified the institution’s reputation for excellence in design education, both nationally and internationally.
As the Head of Academics at a premier luxury business school, Prof. Mitra led efforts to align programs with the unique demands of the global luxury industry. His responsibilities included strategic curriculum development, faculty management, and quality assurance, ensuring compliance with international standards while fostering innovation in education. He successfully established connections with luxury experts from prestigious institutions such as Luiss Business School (Rome), International University of Monaco, and Bocconi University, Milan, enhancing global perspectives and academic exchange. By integrating interdisciplinary research and forging partnerships with leading luxury brands, he contributed to preparing students for leadership roles in the competitive luxury market. During his tenure, he achieved milestones such as designing cutting-edge curricula, promoting faculty development, and spearheading initiatives that incorporated industry trends, sustainability, and digital transformation into luxury education. His work ensured the institution maintained its reputation as a global leader in luxury business education.