The project has at its core the values of collaborative working, capacity-building and impactful research leading to positive change. Consequently, a collaborative and consultative research approach has been adopted. This approach is in part operationalized by working with a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) with eminent experts as members, in order to seek their guidance on the implementation of the research project. 

The inaugural meeting was held on 20 October 2022, with the second meeting held August 2024. 

The RAC members of the project are: 

• Representatives from Widening Participation and Outreach (WP&O) 

University of Warwick, UK 

• Dr. Mikateko Mathebula  

Senior Researcher, SARCHi Chair in Higher Education and Human Development Research Programme, University of the Free State, South Africa 

• Professor Tristan McCowan  

Professor, International Education, UCL Institute of Education, UK 

• Professor Padmaja Mishra 

Former Vice Chancellor, Rama Devi Women’s University, India 

• Professor Santosh Panda

Former Director of STRIDE, IGNOU, New Delhi, India, and Professor of Distance Education (Retd.)

• Dr. Latha Pillai 

Former Adviser, National Assessment and Accreditation Council, India 

 

Former members

• Professor Mohd. Muzammil  

Formerly Vice Chancellor, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, India