Prof. Varun Sahni is an eminent academic and university leader with extensive experience in governance and higher education. In his role as Ombudsperson, he will serve as an independent, neutral, and confidential point of contact for students to raise issues and concerns that fall outside the purview of the University’s existing Rules and Regulations.
The primary role of the Ombudsperson is to:
– To ensure that students are provided with a confidential and safe avenue to share their concerns; and
– To make recommendations and provide guidance to the University Authorities on resolution of such concerns on a confidential basis.
Prof. Sahni was previously Professor of International Politics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, where he taught for 30 years before retiring in March 2025. He has primarily taught International Relations theory, and writes on a variety of topics including nuclear deterrence, regional security, emerging balances in the Indo-Pacific, evolving security concepts, emerging powers, Latin American issues, foreign policy, maritime geopolitics, and river waters.
He has also taught as Visiting Professor at other top universities in Mexico City, Washington, DC and Canberra. He was conferred the V.K.R.V. Rao Prize in Social Sciences in 2006 by the Indian Council of Social Science Research for his “outstanding contribution to research and teaching.”
He has previously served as a Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jammu (2008-12), and at Goa University (2016-21). He is an Honorary Colonel in the National Cadet Corps and speaks annually at the National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi.
Prof. Sahni has a BA in History and Political Science from Delhi University, MA in Politics (International Studies) from JNU, an MPhil in Latin American Studies, and a DPhil in Politics, both from the University of Oxford where he was an Inlaks Scholar. His doctoral thesis was on the political role of the Argentine Navy. He also has a Diploma in Spanish from Delhi University.