Armaity DesaiArmaity S. Desai, born in Mumbai, India, on 28 April 1934, completed BA (Hons) from Mumbai University (Sociology) (1951–55); diploma in social service administration, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) (1955–57); and MA (1958–5) and PhD (1965–69) from the University of Chicago, both in social work. She served as Chairperson, University Grants Commission, Delhi (1995–99); Director, TISS, Mumbai (1982–95) and from Lecturer to Principal, College of Social Work, affiliated to Mumbai University (1957–82).

She has been the member and office-bearer of several non-governmental and governmental organisations at international, national and local levels; the UN (in Asia); Commonwealth Secretariat committees (for Africa); committees of planning commission and social welfare ministries; Union Public Service Commission; University Grants Commission and academic institutions. Her research areas include social work and social work education and she has contributed to several keynote addresses and publications on higher education. She has several awards, national and international, along with two honorary doctorates awarded to her.  Read More Read Less