In a defining move for India’s evolving education sector, Dr. Jawahar Surisetti, a globally recognized psychologist, author, and education reformer, has been appointed the first Vice Chancellor of RISU (Rungta International Skills University)—a forward-looking skills university established in Chhattisgarh.
RISU is not just another university; it is a paradigm shift. In collaboration with global leaders like Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Cambridge University, RISU aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world employability, offering cutting-edge programs in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, digital tools, and practical life skills.
And now, it’s being helmed by a man who once challenged the very system that counted him out.
Dr. Jawahar Surisetti: From Rejection to Reform
Dr. Surisetti’s journey defies convention. In an era when engineering and bureaucracy were India’s primary professional goals, he pursued hospitality—not to serve tables, but to study human behavior.
Despite clearing the Civil Services exam, his three-year hospitality diploma disqualified him. He took the fight to the Supreme Court, arguing for potential over paperwork. Though the verdict didn’t favor him personally, it triggered a national policy reform. The hospitality diploma was soon elevated to degree status.
He lost the battle but won the war—for thousands after him.
A Psychologist Who Rewired Education

Armed with a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Washington, Dr. Surisetti returned to India with a singular mission: to humanize learning and reimagine schooling.
He went on to create the Think Curriculum, an award-winning model focused on building critical thinking in classrooms. Backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the model has transformed teaching across multiple education systems.
He has delivered more than 1,500 lectures, seminars, and keynotes across 76 countries, and advises the Government of India on education, startups, mental wellness, and youth affairs.
Dubbed the “Think Professor”, he connects with 2.4 lakh+ students and parents annually through global outreach projects like Explora.
A Bestselling Author with a Vision for the Future
Dr. Surisetti’s influence also shines through his thought-provoking books, available on Amazon:
- 2047: Fictional Stories of Future India – A gripping vision of India’s future told through compelling narratives.
- The Teen Factor: Classroom to Corporate – A practical guide for teens transitioning into the workforce.
- Apprison: Navigating Digital Addiction – A wake-up call on tech dependency and digital wellness.
- Mama & Me and Go To Hell or Come To Me – Parenting books that have sold nearly 2 million copies worldwide.
His writing reflects his core belief: education must shape character, not just careers.
Reimagining Higher Education at RISU
As Vice Chancellor, Dr. Surisetti brings decades of real-world insight to RISU. His mission? To make skills, not status, the new currency of success.
RISU offers:
- Skill-based degrees in AI, entrepreneurship, and digital productivity
- Embedded career pathways through industry-led certifications
- Mental wellness and emotional intelligence integration into learning
“We’re not preparing students for exams. We’re preparing them for life,” he affirms.
A Vision Beyond Borders: The Peace University
Looking ahead, Dr. Surisetti envisions a bold and needed initiative: The Peace University—a global institution for the study of happiness, conflict resolution, peace-building, and emotional intelligence.
“Peace is not a luxury. It is a skill that must be taught,” says Dr. Surisetti.
While the university is initially being conceived in India, conversations are already underway with the Prime Minister of Bhutan—a country that prioritizes Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a development metric.
Innovations for Digital Wellness and Emotional Health
In response to rising concerns around tech dependence and mental health, Dr. Surisetti launched:
- Happea – A happiness measurement and improvement platform for schools and companies, launching this July.
- Apprison – The world’s first gamified app designed to combat mobile addiction and improve productivity.
He has been globally acknowledged for pioneering digital well-being innovations that balance technology with mindfulness.
Think for India, Speak for the Youth
Beyond academia, Dr. Surisetti leads transformative national initiatives:
- Think for India – Encouraging youth-led reforms and solutions
- My Beti – Empowering girl children through dignity-based health and education
- Religion of Youth – A secular movement promoting expression and values among youth
His voice carries weight—not just in parliament halls, but in village classrooms, corporate boardrooms, and on global TEDx stages.
Final Word: When Purpose Meets Power
Dr. Jawahar Surisetti’s appointment as RISU’s founding Vice Chancellor is more than symbolic. It’s a reaffirmation that education should be a vehicle for change, not conformity.
He once studied hospitality. Today, he’s hosting India’s skills revolution.
Once rejected, he now rewrites the rules.
Once dismissed as “underqualified,” he now defines qualification itself.
“Your work defines you long after you’re gone,” he says. “Let’s make it count.”