Faculty and staff

Administrative staff at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

Director

SRD
Shaunaka Rishi Das is from Wexford, Ireland. He has been Director of the OCHS since its inception in 1997. Shaunaka maintains the vision and ethos of the Centre on behalf of the Board of Governors, and encourages the Centre’s continued growth and development in all spheres. He has overall responsibility for its fundraising, administration, and communication.

Development Administrator

Lal Krishna

Lal Krishna is from Australia. Lal studied Linguistics at Deakin University, Melbourne, and had worked both as an editor and production manager for the publishing industry. He is skilled in database management, web development, and administration. Lal oversees the development of our ‘Friends and Funds’ programme, Fund campaigns, and communications.

Admininstrative Secretary

Judit

Judit Bajusz is from Pécs, Hungary. Judit has an MA in English Literature and Linguistics and has previously worked as an English teacher, and translator. Judit is the backbone of the Centre’s operations co-ordinating diaries, administration, services, filing, equipment, and reception.

Hon. Financial Administrator

Upendra Kalan is from Tanzania. Upendra is the Head of Finance and Administration for the EMG group of companies. He has over twenty years of finance and accounting experience largely within financial services. Upendra qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Deloittes within the Financial Services Group. He was previously a Director in Global Equities Management at UBS where he spent fourteen years. Positions held by Upendra at UBS include Finance Director and Head of Operations for the South East Asian Equities Businesses of UBS in Hong Kong, where he was responsible for all financial, operational, legal, regulatory, and compliance matters.

Book Keeping

Syama

Syama Dasi is from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Syama was granted her HND in Business and Administration in 1990. She has worked as a Bookkeeper and Treasurer in the voluntary sector for fifteen years. Syama also has notable experience working as an Educational Officer for voluntary organisations, developing workshops, seminars and events.

Domestic Staff

Meru Ostlund is from Sweden and serves as Domestic Bursar. Meru is also reading for an MA in Religion and Politics. She is renowned for her culinary expertise, particularly expressed each term in her wonderful Majewski Dinners.

Andrea Besenyi is from Budapest, Hungary and works as an intern with Meru to keep the shine on the Centre, the rumble from our tummies, and a smile on our faces.