Aston University: Prominent Indian health advocate awarded honorary degree by Aston University

Aston University is to award an honorary degree to Gaurav Brahmbhatt for his leadership on the health agenda in India, including his company’s support for people in need of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and for his significant contribution to Aston University as an Alumnus.

Gaurav will meet the Interim Vice-Chancellor, Saskia Hansen, to sign the roll of honour and receive his award of Doctor of Science at a ceremony on Monday 4 April at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

Gaurav Brahmbhatt is a founding team member and vice-president of strategic partnerships and growth at Health Care at Home India Pvt Ltd (HCAH). The business is focused on providing clinical and pharmaceutical services to patients in the comfort of their own home. Working to international protocols and standards, HCAH has served more than 400,000 patients across India and some of its key services include setting up ICU at home, providing cancer care at home, nursing and physiotherapy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Gaurav and HCAH provided critical support for people needing healthcare going above and beyond their normal business arrangements. This included supporting the Indian Government in nursing people who were asked to leave hospital to free up places for Covid patients.

Gaurav completed his MBA at Aston University in 2011. He is also a pharmacy graduate of the University of Pune, India, 2002, and completed his MSc Biotechnology from the University of Hertfordshire in 2004.

Gaurav has been a pivotal part of the Aston University alumni network in India almost since his return to the country, leading the alumni group in New Delhi since 2014, where he has arranged and attended events and been active in reaching out to new graduates returning to India.

Gaurav joined the Aston Business School Advisory Board in 2020 and is an active mentor on the MBA mentoring scheme. He provides advice to students and prospective students through the Professional Alumni Link and is open to connection and collaboration with academic staff across Aston Business School and the College of Health and Life Sciences.

He has maintained this exceptional commitment to Aston University throughout what has undoubtedly been the most challenging period of his career as India suffered devastating losses and difficulties during the pandemic. Health Care at Home worked tirelessly to treat people and support the Indian government and healthcare systems during this period of crisis.

Professor Anthony Hilton, executive dean of the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University, said: “I am delighted that Aston University will be bestowing this honour on Gaurav in recognition of his significant contribution to healthcare services in India and his dedication to supporting and leading the alumni community of Aston University in India.

“The dedication that Gaurav showed in providing healthcare services at home to terminally ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic was quite remarkable and we are proud to call him an Aston alumnus.”