About Us
About Us
iEXP 360 Solutions is an experiential education organization that partners with universities to design custom, academically aligned programs in India and Nepal. We work across faculty-led programs, internships, and faculty seminars, grounded in experiential learning, place-based pedagogy, and robust health, safety, and risk frameworks. Our approach connects academic inquiry with real-world contexts, enabling meaningful learning beyond the classroom.
Samrat Urval - Founder & Director
Samrat Urval is the Founder and Director of iEXP 360 Solutions and brings over a decade of experience designing and leading transformative experiential learning programs across India and Nepal. He holds a Master’s degree in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato, where his academic focus centered on experiential pedagogy, outdoor learning, and meaningful travel immersion.
Samrat is a graduate of the NOLS Trip Leader India program and holds certifications in Wilderness First Response and Risk Management. He currently serves on the Gap Year Association’s Standards and Accreditation Committee, contributing to the development of global standards in experiential and international education.
With a deep understanding of Western academic expectations and local cultural contexts, Samrat leads iEXP 360’s academic vision, program philosophy, and institutional partnerships, ensuring that all programs balance learning depth, ethical engagement, and strong safety frameworks.
Sandesh Urval - Head of Operations – India
Sandesh Urval leads operations across India and oversees program logistics, field execution, and operational risk management. A Wilderness First Responder, he brings extensive experience working across India’s varied geographies and cultural landscapes.
In addition to his role at iEXP 360, Sandesh serves as Director of an institute delivering internationally recognized IATA training programs, giving him deep insight into global travel standards, compliance, and operational excellence. His work ensures that programs are executed seamlessly, responsibly, and in alignment with international best practices.
Divya Param - Head of Operations – South India
Divya Param brings over 15 years of experience in experiential education, outreach programs, and student travel. She holds a Master’s degree in Tourism Marketing and has led educational programs across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
A certified Wilderness First Responder, Divya specializes in community engagement, service learning, and culturally grounded program design. Her work across South India and Nepal focuses on creating meaningful learning environments that connect students with local communities, contemporary issues, and sustainable practices.
Prabha Gautam - Head of Operations – Nepal
Prabha Gautam leads iEXP 360’s Nepal operations and is a key architect of the organization’s outdoor learning and conservation-focused programs. Trained originally as a hydropower engineer, she brings a strong interdisciplinary perspective that blends sustainability, ecology, and experiential education.
Prabha has played a significant role in conservation initiatives and community-based projects across Nepal. Her programs emphasize deep cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and responsible adventure, particularly within Himalayan contexts.
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Piran Elavia - Head of Operations – Northeast India
Piran Elavia is an expert program designer and field leader with over a decade of experience working across Northeast India. His background spans community tourism, education, conservation, and sustainable livelihoods.
A certified First Responder, Piran has worked closely with local communities in Sikkim, Assam, and surrounding regions, designing programs that highlight cultural heritage, biodiversity, and responsible travel. His deep regional knowledge and long-term community relationships are central to iEXP 360’s work in Northeast India.
Namita Shetty - Head – Global Education Alliances (India)
Namita Shetty leads international university partnerships for iEXP 360 Solutions. With over 20 years of experience across education, media, and organizational development, she specializes in building long-term academic collaborations and global learning pathways.
A certified Emotional Intelligence coach and behavioral skills trainer, Namita focuses on integrating personal development, cultural understanding, and leadership into experiential learning programs. Her work supports institutions in creating meaningful global education experiences for students and faculty alike.
Naveen Shah - Head of Internships – India
Naveen Shah is an international educator with over three decades of experience in higher education, experiential learning, and global internships. She previously served as Director of the Global Studies Program – India at Long Island University and later worked with the Academic Internship Council, helping establish India as a leading destination for academic internships.
Her expertise spans curriculum design, student development, community engagement, and employability-focused experiential learning. Naveen remains actively involved in international education leadership circles, including NAFSA, and plays a central role in shaping iEXP 360’s internship and field placement programs.
Chandrakanth Rao, CA - Head of Finance
CA Chandrakanth Rao is the Finance Advisor and Head of Finance for the iEXP 360 Group and the founding partner of Rao & Basri, a leading Chartered Accountancy firm with nearly four decades of professional standing. He oversees compliance, financial governance, risk assurance, and strategic financial management for the organization.
A former Chairman of the ICAI Mangalore Chapter, Chandrakanth Rao has contributed extensively to professional forums, academic institutions, and management seminars. He has represented the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India as a delegate to international commercial centers across Asia, the Middle East, and North America, bringing a global perspective to financial and regulatory practices.
An alumnus of the Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange Program to the United States, he has been actively involved in public service and ethical leadership for over three decades. His professional work is guided by integrity, mentorship, and a strong commitment to responsible institutional growth.
Dr. Thomas Maryon
Dr. Thomas Maryon is a healthcare executive, educator, and leadership coach with over four decades of experience across healthcare operations, population health, and international healthcare systems. He holds a Doctorate and Master’s degree in Health Administration and has served in full-time and adjunct faculty roles at multiple academic institutions.
His work focuses on leadership development, operational systems, and whole-person education, bringing valuable perspective to health-related and interdisciplinary programs at iEXP 360 Solutions.
Ethan Knight
Ethan Knight is a pioneer in experiential and international education and the founder of the Gap Year Association. He brings extensive experience designing, leading, and accrediting global experiential programs across multiple continents.
Ethan continues to serve on the GYA Standards and Accreditation Committee and advises iEXP 360 on program quality, access, and alignment with global best practices in experiential learning.
Prof. Ramnath Narayanswamy
Professor Ramnath Narayanswamy is a Distinguished Professor at FLAME University and former Professor at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. With over three decades of academic experience, his work bridges political economy, sociology, leadership, and spirituality.
A prolific author and award-winning educator, Professor Ramnath brings deep interdisciplinary insight and reflective leadership perspectives to iEXP 360 Solutions’ academic vision.
Dave Dennis Risk Advisor
Dave, the Risk Advisor for iEXP 360, has an extensive risk management and emergency response background. He is underpinned by his roles as co-founder and Executive Director of Cornerstone Safety Group and founder and President of Resilient Solutions. His work at Resilient Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in risk management for travel and experiential education organizations, has been influential since its inception in 2011.
With a Master’s in Risk Management from Norwich University, Dave has dedicated the past 27 years to refining his domestic and international travel operations expertise. His advisory role further highlights his depth of experience with over 60 organizations, where he has imparted critical risk management practices and training.
Dave’s commitment to the field extends to his position as the Secretary of the Gap Year Association’s Standards and Accreditation Committee. Additionally, his involvement with the Responder Alliance as an ambassador, focusing on emotional well-being and the stress continuum, reflects his comprehensive understanding of risk management, including the often-overlooked aspect of emotional health.
At iEXP 360, Dave’s role is pivotal in delivering safety-conscious and seamless experiences across the Indian subcontinent. His blend of practical experience, academic knowledge, and dedication to safety and well-being makes him an invaluable asset to the team, helping to navigate the complexities of risk management in experiential education and travel.
Our work is rooted in a collaborative, custom-design process. We partner closely with faculty and institutions to understand academic objectives, course frameworks, and student learning outcomes, and translate them into context-rich, experiential programs in India and Nepal. Each program is carefully designed, reviewed, and refined to balance academic depth, field-based learning, and comprehensive health, safety, and risk considerations.
