Goa, 28 September 2026: Prof. Arun A. Elias has assumed charge as the new Director of Goa Institute of Management (GIM), succeeding Prof. Ajit Parulekar, who served as Director since 2017. Prof. Elias brings more than three decades of academic experience and around 15 years of senior leadership experience across India, New Zealand, and Fiji.
In his previous roles, Prof. Elias has held multiple academic and institutional leadership positions and has been associated with the School of Management at Victoria University of Wellington for the past 27 years. He has also served as the Dean of the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies at Fiji National University; Associate Dean (International and Accreditation) at Victoria University of Wellington, and multiple Director-level positions at Victoria Business School. Prof. Elias holds an M.Tech in Industrial Engineering & Management from IIT Kharagpur and a PhD in Management from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
In his inaugural statement as the Director, Prof. Arun Elias said, “GIM has built a strong academic foundation over the years, with a clear commitment to excellence in management education, research, and international engagement. As we look ahead, our focus will be on research with real-world impact, continuous innovation in learning and teaching, and socially responsible engagement with all our stakeholders. We will also work towards becoming an internationally renowned B-school with triple-crown accreditation. I look forward to working with the entire GIM community to build on this strong foundation and take the institute into its next phase.”
An active member of the international accreditation ecosystem as a mentor and peer review panellist for AACSB, EFMD/EQUIS, and AMBA/BGA, Prof. Elias has more than 100 publications, including several books, peer-reviewed international journal articles, book chapters, and peer-reviewed international conference papers.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Ashank Desai, GIM Chairman said, “Prof. Elias brings a combination of academic leadership, international experience, research strength, and deep engagement with the global accreditation ecosystem. His experience and international networks will add significant value as GIM strengthens its academic and international foundations. As the institute moves into its next phase as a university, GIM looks forward to building on its existing strengths and taking it to the next level of success under his leadership.”
Further, Mr. Desai said, “GIM also acknowledges the significant contribution of Prof. Ajit Parulekar, who has been associated with the institute for 26 years. During his tenure as Director, Prof. Parulekar guided GIM through a period of significant institutional transformation, including strengthening its academic and international standing and advancing its journey towards becoming a university.”
Prof. Elias’s appointment marks a new chapter in GIM’s institutional journey. His extensive academic leadership experience, international perspective, research contributions, and engagement with global accreditation frameworks are expected to further strengthen the institute’s academic and international foundations while supporting its aspirations for the future.