Syed Hasan Akhtar

About Syed Hasan Akhtar

Postgraduate in Management and Computer Applications and an alumnus of the Indian School of Business (ISB), with 24 years of experience in the education and skilling sector, including 15+ years in leadership roles across diverse business models. Currently leading the International Education Business at NIIT with full P&L ownership, driving global expansion, university alliances, and delivery of future-tech training solutions across emerging markets. Focused on enhancing employability outcomes and institutional differentiation through strategic academic partnerships. Extensive experience across B2B, B2C, and B2G segments, including industry collaboration, learning delivery, franchise operations, and public-sector skilling initiatives. Known for driving high-growth, high-margin business outcomes and consistently delivering results beyond industry benchmarks. Well-versed with the latest tools, technologies, and digital learning platforms used across leading EdTech companies, enabling innovation and scalable learner engagement. Committed to building scalable, outcome-driven education ecosystems aligned with global workforce transformation and national development priorities.

Experience

1. Head of International Business

   NIIT Limited

   Jul 2023 — Present · IN

   Driving NIIT’s International Education Business with full ownership of strategy, growth, and execution across high-potential emerging markets.Key Mandates:(1) Strategic Alliances & Market Positioning: Building deep institutional partnerships with international universities—helping them become clear differentiators in their respective countries by co-developing learning ecosystems aligned to industry needs and employability outcomes.(2) Global Market Expansion: Leading NIIT’s entry and scale-up across emerging geographies through localized strategies, ecosystem partnerships, and compliance-led market integration.(3) P&L Leadership: Managing the full business P&L—ensuring consistent revenue growth, margin optimization, and operational efficiency to deliver sustainable financial performance.(4) Product Innovation: Designing and launching market-responsive, tech-enabled learning programs under the NIIT International Collaboration (NIC) model—customized to academic frameworks and global industry demands.(5) Tech Skilling at Scale: Delivering future-tech capability building via retail center networks, enabling individuals to acquire high-demand skills in AI, cloud, data science, cybersecurity, and beyond.(6) Enterprise Transformation Enablement: Partnering with global corporate to support digital transformation and workforce development through custom-designed upskilling and reskilling interventions.(7) Cross-Functional Leadership & Execution: Leading diverse teams across sales, delivery, and strategic initiatives with a focus on operational alignment, governance, and measurable outcomes.

Education

• Deendayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University

  Bachelor’s Degree

• Indian Institute of Finance

  Management of Business Finance

• Institute of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University

  Post Graduation in Business Management.

• Indian School of Business

  Digital Marketing and Analytics

• Indira Gandhi National Open University

  Master’s Degree-MCA

Skills

• Territory Planner
• Channel Relationship Management
• New Business Development
• Portfolio Management
• Territory Management
• New Business Opportunities
• Territory Growth
• Channel Sales
• Marketing Management
• Territory Account Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Key Account Management
• Sales Management
• Sales Operations
• Managed Markets Marketing
• Marketing Strategy
• Project Portfolio Management
• Marketing Budget Management
• Territory Development
• Channel Partners
• Marketing Communications
• Channel Account Management
• Multi-Channel Marketing
• Profit Center Management
• Sales Process