Honorary Fellow and Graduates and student speaker

Mr Craig O’Callaghan

Honorary Fellow

Craig joined the University of London in February 1986 as an examinations officer and in 1993, following a series of promotions,  became Assistant Director of Operations with responsibility for exams and the production and distribution of study materials for around 30,000 external students.

In 2003 he was promoted to Director of Operations and in this role was responsible for the implementation of a new online student record system, SITS, and the growth of our teaching centre network. In 2009 Craig assumed the role of Deputy Chief Executive Worldwide, with responsibility for all student and operational services for International Programme students. Craig retired in October 2023 as the Managing Director. During his time as the senior officer for International Programme activities, student numbers grew to over 50,000 students, teaching centre numbers grew to over 120 and over 80,000 students graduated with degrees.

Ayesha Malik

Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan
Honorary Graduate, Doctor of Laws

A powerful voice for gender inclusivity and a steadfast champion of constitutional supremacy, Justice Ayesha A Malik has redefined Pakistan’s legal landscape through her transformative contributions.

From her groundbreaking tenure at the High Court to her historic appointment as the first female judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Malik has undertaken significant steps to advance women’s rights, promote climate justice, and uphold principles of social justice and equity. Whether declaring the two-finger virginity tests illegal, expanding the scope of workplace sexual harassment, ensuring environmental sustainability in development projects, and safeguarding the social and economic rights of citizens, Justice Malik’s jurisprudence exemplifies a unique gender-sensitive and climate-conscious approach with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. 

Dr Mattur N Nandakumara MBE

Honorary Graduate, Doctor of Literature

Over the last four decades, Dr Mattur N Nandakumara has built a distinguished career as a pioneer in the propagation of Indian dance, classical arts and music in UK and Europe.

As the Executive Director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London, he has spearheaded the charity's journey to becoming the largest Indian arts organisation anywhere in the world outside of India. During his tenure at The Bhavan, hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds have graduated to become esteemed professional performers and teachers. Additionally, Dr Nandakumara is regarded as one of the leading authorities on the ancient language Sanskrit and Vedic literature, in the UK, and in this capacity has given lectures, and performed Vedic ceremonies not only here but all over the globe including in Japan, Hong Kong, USA and South Africa.  

In 2023, he was awarded an honorary MBE by HRH King Charles III for his role as an ambassador for Indian art, culture and philosophy. Born and raised in Mattur, one of the only villages in India where Sanskrit is still actively spoken, he came to the UK in 1977 to undertake his PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, which he completed in 1983.   

Prasanna Harini Sampath

Student speaker

Harini is a programme manager with more than 20 years’ experience leading large-scale technology and data initiatives across sectors and nations – including the UK, USA, Japan and Singapore.

She completed a master’s in Computer Applications before pursuing the BSc Politics and International Relations from the University of London, a choice driven by her passion for understanding global systems and diverse cultures. Harini now manages complex programmes in investment banking, bridging the gap between business strategy and technology.

Mr Craig O’Callaghan

Honorary Fellow

Craig joined the University of London in February 1986 as an examinations officer and in 1993, following a series of promotions,  became Assistant Director of Operations with responsibility for exams and the production and distribution of study materials for around 30,000 external students.

In 2003 he was promoted to Director of Operations and in this role was responsible for the implementation of a new online student record system, SITS, and the growth of our teaching centre network. In 2009 Craig assumed the role of Deputy Chief Executive Worldwide with responsibility for all student and operational services for International Programme students. Craig retired in October 2023 as the Managing Director. During his time as the senior officer for International Programme activities, student numbers grew to over 50,000 students, teaching centre numbers grew to over 120 and over 80,000 students graduated with degrees.

Ayesha Malik

Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan
Honorary Graduate, Doctor of Laws

A powerful voice for gender inclusivity and a steadfast champion of constitutional supremacy, Justice Ayesha A Malik has redefined Pakistan’s legal landscape through her transformative contributions.

From her groundbreaking tenure at the High Court to her historic appointment as the first female judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Malik has undertaken significant steps to advance women’s rights, promote climate justice, and uphold principles of social justice and equity. Whether declaring the two-finger virginity tests illegal, expanding the scope of workplace sexual harassment, ensuring environmental sustainability in development projects, and safeguarding the social and economic rights of citizens, Justice Malik’s jurisprudence exemplifies a unique gender-sensitive and climate-conscious approach with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. 

Dr Mattur N Nandakumara MBE

Honorary Graduate, Doctor of Literature

Over the last four decades, Dr Mattur N Nandakumara has built a distinguished career as a pioneer in the propagation of Indian dance, classical arts and music in UK and Europe.

As the Executive Director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London, he has spearheaded the charity's journey to becoming the largest Indian arts organisation anywhere in the world outside of India. During his tenure at The Bhavan, hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds have graduated to become esteemed professional performers and teachers. Additionally, Dr Nandakumara is regarded as one of the leading authorities on the ancient language Sanskrit and Vedic literature, in the UK, and in this capacity has given lectures, and performed Vedic ceremonies not only here but all over the globe including in Japan, Hong Kong, USA and South Africa.  

In 2023, he was awarded an honorary MBE by HRH King Charles III for his role as an ambassador for Indian art, culture and philosophy. Born and raised in Mattur, one of the only villages in India where Sanskrit is still actively spoken, he came to the UK in 1977 to undertake his PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, which he completed in 1983.   

Prasanna Harini Sampath

Student speaker

Harini is a programme manager with more than 20 years’ experience leading large-scale technology and data initiatives across sectors and nations – including the UK, USA, Japan and Singapore.

She completed a master’s in Computer Applications before pursuing the BSc Politics and International Relations from the University of London, a choice driven by her passion for understanding global systems and diverse cultures. Harini now manages complex programmes in investment banking, bridging the gap between business strategy and technology.

Honorary Fellow and Graduates and student speaker

Craig joined the University of London in February 1986 as an examinations officer and in 1993, following a series of promotions, became Assistant Director of Operations with responsibility for exams and the production and distribution of study materials for around 30,000 external students.

A powerful voice for gender inclusivity and a steadfast champion of constitutional supremacy, Justice Ayesha A Malik has redefined Pakistan’s legal landscape through her transformative contributions.

Over the last four decades, Dr Mattur N Nandakumara has built a distinguished career as a pioneer in the propagation of Indian dance, classical arts and music in UK and Europe.

Harini is a programme manager with more than 20 years’ experience leading large-scale technology and data initiatives across sectors and nations – including the UK, USA, Japan and Singapore.

Craig joined the University of London in February 1986 as an examinations officer and in 1993, following a series of promotions, became Assistant Director of Operations with responsibility for exams and the production and distribution of study materials for around 30,000 external students.

A powerful voice for gender inclusivity and a steadfast champion of constitutional supremacy, Justice Ayesha A Malik has redefined Pakistan’s legal landscape through her transformative contributions.

Over the last four decades, Dr Mattur N Nandakumara has built a distinguished career as a pioneer in the propagation of Indian dance, classical arts and music in UK and Europe.

Harini is a programme manager with more than 20 years’ experience leading large-scale technology and data initiatives across sectors and nations – including the UK, USA, Japan and Singapore.

Craig joined the University of London in February 1986 as an examinations officer and in 1993, following a series of promotions,  became Assistant Director of Operations with responsibility for exams and the production and distribution of study materials for around 30,000 external students.

Over the last four decades, Dr Mattur N Nandakumara has built a distinguished career as a pioneer in the propagation of Indian dance, classical arts and music in UK and Europe.

Craig joined the University of London in February 1986 as an examinations officer and in 1993, following a series of promotions,  became Assistant Director of Operations with responsibility for exams and the production and distribution of study materials for around 30,000 external students.

Over the last four decades, Dr Mattur N Nandakumara has built a distinguished career as a pioneer in the propagation of Indian dance, classical arts and music in UK and Europe.