Dr. (Mrs.) Indu Shahani, Principal of H.R. College of Commerce & Economics was appointed Sheriff of Mumbai on Jan. 5, 2008 and is now serving in her third term. The Sheriff of Mumbai is an honorary post and is a link between the citizens and the Government, providing an opportunity to make a difference within the communities of Mumbai.

Dr. (Mrs.) Indu Shahani's nomination to Boards of large National and Global Companies has provided the impetus to the platform for significant collaboration between Industry and Academia, as well as bringing diversity to the Boards of these Corporations given the width of her experience.

On assuming charge as Sheriff, she immediately launched the Women's Helpline 1298 with the support of twenty leading NGO’s, promoted voluntary blood donation for the citizens to free the patients from the pressure of procuring blood, harnessed student energy for the Municipal Corporation's Clean-Up Mumbai Campaign where the student volunteers would blow the Sheriff’s whistle to keep Mumbai city clean, initiated the much-needed Green Mumbai Project and provided for clean drinking water in the Mumbai district jail. Dr. Shahani has led Sheriff’s delegations to interact with premier institutions and universities to UK, Europe, USA, Australia & New Zealand, Quebec City, Montreal, Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, Singapore and South Africa.

A doyenne in the field of academics, Dr. (Mrs.) Indu Shahani has over three decades of teaching experience at the college and university level where she has played the lead role in nurturing future leaders. She is a firm believer of a student empowered teaching-learning model which places the responsibility of learning on the learner and which also promotes creative faculty development.

Dr. Indu Shahani who is the first Indian to be appointed Vice-Chair on the Board of the Governors of the International Baccalaureate and has over a decade of experience with the IB. Recognised as an international academician currently Dr. (Mrs.) Indu Shahani is Advisor - India, for IBO. The IBO has over 3000 schools in 140 countries and provides education across the world. In India there are over 70 schools run by IBO.

Dr. Shahani holds a PhD in Commerce from University of Mumbai on enhancing Academia-Industry linkages. At the University level, Dr. Shahani holds key positions at the Academic Council, Faculty of Commerce and Board of Studies in Business Management. As Director, Academics of Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate (HSNC) Board, she is responsible for enhancing academic standards of 29 educational institutions managed by the HSNC Board in Mumbai.

Dr. Shahani is a Visiting Faculty Member at the UC Berkeley, NYU Stern, USA and she is a Lead Speaker at various conferences in India and abroad. She has also developed many linkages for student and faculty exchanges with leading universities in USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Dr. Shahani has received many awards, prominent among them are ‘Citizen of Mumbai Award’ by Rotary Club of Bombay; ‘Sindhu Gaurav Award’ by International Sindhu Chamber of Commerce; ‘Women's Achievers’ Award’ by Young Environmentalists Programme Trust, ‘Woman of the Year Award’ by Junior Chamber International, ‘Excellence in Education Award’ at the FLO Great Women Achiever Awards; and ‘The Giants International Education Award.’

Dr. Shahani was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Westminster in London on November 16, 2009. As a tribute to Dr. Shahani the University has instituted the Sheriff of Mumbai’s Scholarships for Women from Mumbai to study a Master’s programme in the years 2009 and 2010.

A visionary and a thought leader, Dr. (Mrs.) Indu Shahani has been appointed as Member of the University Grant’s Commission and is acknowledged worldwide for her significant contribution to education and value-based leadership.