Dr. Manoj A.S
MBA, PGDHRM, MSc (Psychology), PhD, UGC – NET, AMT (AIMA), EPM (IIM-B), EDP (EDI)
Director,Rajadhani Business School (RBS),
Former Head – Learning & Development
Kerala Development & Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC)
Planning & Economic Affairs (Innovation & Development) Department
Govt. of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr. Manoj A.S. is a distinguished professional in the fields of leadership& skills development, innovation, learning and development, and organizational capacity building. He currently serves as the Professor &Director at NICHE B-School and is the Former Head – Learning & Development at the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), Government of Kerala and also with ICT Academy of Kerala as Head of Planning, Competency Development & Innovations. With over 28 years of rich professional experience spanning academia, industry, government, and organizational development, he has consistently spearheaded transformative initiatives that integrate education, innovation, research, and societal impact. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Dr. Manoj was featured in the prestigious Forbes India Magazine – 2026 Anniversary Edition for his remarkable journey of creating impact through innovation, education, and transformative leadership. This recognition reflects his unwavering commitment to developing future-ready individuals, strengthening institutions, and driving innovation-led growth.
A seasoned corporate trainer, leadership coach, management educator, and innovation strategist, Dr. Manoj specializes in Human Resource Management, Leadership Development, Organizational Behaviour, Strategic Management, Innovation Management, and Capacity Building. He is recognised as a “Mentor of Change” under the Atal Innovation Mission, Government of India, and is an Accredited Management Teacher (AMT) of the All India Management Association (AIMA). His academic and professional credentials include advanced executive management programmes from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) and the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode), along with international certification in Design Thinking and Prototyping from the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID), Denmark. He holds a Ph.D. in Management (Human Resource Management), complemented by postgraduate qualifications in Management, Human Resource Management, and Psychology.
Throughout his career, Dr. Manoj has designed and delivered numerous executive development programmes for senior and middle-level leaders across government departments including Police department, public sector enterprises, and private organizations, including HLL Life Care Limited, MILMA, Technopark,The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (CMA), and several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Academic Institutions both Government & Private including Universities and Colleges. His training interventions focus on Resilient Leadership, Strategic Leadership, Team Dynamics, Personal and Professional Effectiveness, Organizational Growth and Excellence, Change Management, Innovation Leadership, and Future Skills. He has also conducted specialized programmes on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) based on the OECD Framework, enabling organizations to identify, measure, and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Key Performance Areas (KPAs), and Key Result Areas (KRAs) using scientifically structured baseline, outcome, and impact assessment methodologies to support evidence-based decision-making and organizational performance improvement.
An accomplished innovator and researcher, Dr. Manoj holds an impressive portfolio of 46 patents, including international patents granted in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, several Indian patents, and a registered trademark. He has played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and implementing landmark initiatives such as the Design Thinking for Teachers Programme and the Young Innovators Programme (YIP) of K-DISC, creating a lasting impact on more than 3.37 lakh students, 10,500 faculty members, 7,200 corporate professionals, and thousands of government officials and police personnel through innovation, entrepreneurship, and capacity-building initiatives. A prolific academic, he has published over 45 research papers and authored six books, and currently serves as the Chief Editor of the peer-reviewed international journal Convergence. By seamlessly integrating academic excellence, industry expertise, innovation, and transformational leadership, Dr. Manoj continues to inspire individuals and institutions to embrace strategic thinking, foster innovation, develop future-ready talent, and create sustainable value for society.