Achievements
I am delighted, humbled, and honoured to receive this fellowship: Dr Sushma Paul Berlia on receiving the ‘Distinguished Fellow 2023′
The felicitation took place at the Annual Directors’ Conclave in New Delhi
The Advisory Council of the Institute of Directors (IOD) India, has bestowed upon Dr Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairperson of Apeejay Stya Group and Apeejay Svran Group, the prestigious honour of ‘Distinguished Fellow of IOD’ for the year 2023, for her outstanding contribution to public welfare & public policy. She is also Chairperson, Apeejay Education.
The felicitation of the IOD Distinguished Fellowship-2023 was presented by the Chief Guest at the occasion – Mr Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law & Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture.
The fellowship was bestowed during the Annual Directors’ Conclave in New Delhi. The first such fellowship by IOD was conferred on Bharat Ratna, late President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam back in 1994. The citation to Dr Berlia was given by Ms Ruchi Ghanshayam, former High Commissioner of India to UK.
Thanking for the honour, Dr Berlia said, “I am delighted, honoured, and humbled to receive this distinguished fellowship. I have always believed that human values, selfless service, a sense of stewardship and wealth creation rather than just income generation is what truly drives corporate governance in letter and spirit.”
The felicitation of the IOD Distinguished Fellowship-2023 was presented by the Chief Guest at the occasion – Mr Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law & Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture.
He added that there are several parameters that indicate the same including India’s economy, the GDP, a thriving democracy, strong family values, and the fact that the country is a philanthropic society, which believes in reaching out to those in need.”
Dr Berlia has won innumerable awards and accolades over the years in the realms of education, industry, governance and social outreach. She is a thought leader on all these domains and has spoken at all the major forums on the same. She even delivered a special address in the House of Lords, UK, at the 2022 London Global Convention on Corporate Governance and Sustainability.
I am delighted, honoured, and humbled to receive this distinguished fellowship. I have always believed that human values, selfless service, a sense of stewardship and wealth creation rather than just income generation is what truly drives corporate governance in letter and spirit
-DR SUSHMA PAUL BERLIA, CHAIRPERSON OF APEEJAY EDUCATION AND CO-FOUNDER-CHANCELLOR, APEEJAY STYA UNIVERSITY AND CHAIRPERSON OF APEEJAY STYA GROUP AND APEEJAY SVRAN GROUP
She is a leading entrepreneur, industrialist and educationist who has devoted her life to nation-building with global footprints. She was the first woman to lead a multi-state apex chamber of commerce in India, serving as the President of the PHDCCI in 2005-06. She was the first woman in India to lead her own pharmaceutical company, when not yet 30 and was the first woman entrepreneur of a major educational group in India.
Dr Berlia has a track record of immense contribution of around four decades in the Pharmaceutical industry. As Chairman of Apeejay Education, which runs 26 educational institutes (Schools and Higher Education Institutions), she has made an outstanding contribution to education and society.
The theme for this year’s IOD Annual Directors’ Conclave was ‘Emerging Trends in Corporate Governance and Building Futuristic Boards 2030’. It deliberated on various emerging trends that are shaping the corporate agenda, including the impact of geopolitical disruption across all facets of the global economy.
The Institute of Directors, India was established in 1990 as an independent, ‘not for profit’ apex Association of Corporate Directors, to spearhead the country’s quality and good governance revolution and build ‘Brand India’ by focusing on Corporate Directors’ training and development.
Its focus is on ‘Building Tomorrow’s Boards’ by realigning their moral compass, and making them more ethical, transparent and accountable. The IOD is mentored by a distinguished Advisory Council, at present headed by Justice MN Venkatachaliah, Padma Vibhushan and former Chief Justice of India.
Apeejay Stya Group and Svran Group is one of India’s most respected business conglomerates comprising diverse businesses with global footprints. It manifests its social commitment through the more than 50 year old Apeejay Education and the Apeejay Stya University.
The Group’s business leadership is reflected in sectors such as Automotives, Chemicals & Plastics, Distribution, Logistics & Retail, Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences, Real Estate, International Trading, Merchant Banking & Financial Services and Publishing. It has several alliances and foreign collaborations with a significant presence in Europe, Middle East and East Asia..
