Dr. Tharshiny Pankaj: Widening Participation in Learning for All 

Making Quality Education Accessible to Every Learner!  

Starting over as a young teenager in a completely new country can feel like standing at the edge of a vast, unfamiliar world. Every day brings small challenges that add up, learning a new way of studying, understanding different social rules, and figuring out where one belongs. For someone like Dr. Tharshiny Pankaj, these early experiences formed the way she saw the world. Each obstacle became a lesson, and each small success showed the power of determination. Education became her guiding light, a way to make sense of change and find her place in a society that initially felt so different.  

Having just turned 13, she was forced to go through all the steps again after moving to the United Kingdom from Sri Lanka. Everything was different – the culture, the school system, and even the way she had to find her place in society.  

However, she decided to use education as a lifeline and slowly uncovered its power to remove barriers and change destinies. When she graduated from Brunel University with a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science, she became the first member of her family to obtain a degree. This milestone impacted her educational journey profoundly.  

Education was pivotal in her life, and she along with her life and business partner Selva, looked for a way to have a meaningful impact. Both were in the teaching profession: Tharshiny taught Computer Science at a college in London, and Selva did private tutoring. They saw a common problem in their community: there were students who wanted to go on to higher education but were not able to. Their understanding of education was profound and their faith in their ability to present a new assistance, accessibility, and ambition-based approach was equally strong.  

This vision laid the groundwork for the establishment of Regent Independent College and subsequently Regent College London. Their objective was straightforward yet of great significance: to set up a facility that would allow students from all backgrounds to obtain a quality education. Widening participation was not only a professional goal but also a personal one. Tharshiny’s journey from a very young beginner to a full-fledged student gave her a view of the hurdles that learners encounter, and her method is characterised by compassion, understanding, and an unwillingness to settle for anything less than a positive outcome.  

Today, she is a primary supporter of education. She sees education as a bridge linking capability with opportunity and believes that every pupil deserves access to an excellent education. Her efforts have turned her personal story of adjustment and perseverance into a path for many others, demonstrating that at the intersection of education, vision, and love, change is possible.

Let us learn more about her journey:  

Pioneering Flexible Access to Higher Education  

Establishing Regent College London (RCL) in 2010 with the goal of improving access to higher education for the local community was a turning point in Dr. Tharshiny’s career. From the very beginning, Regent College London worked hard to widen access to higher education. The institution deliberately designed flexible programmes so that study could fit around students’ other responsibilities. RCL offers morning, evening, and weekend classes, along with multiple entry points, so learning at RCL fits around life. Today, two-thirds of the students are over 30, and many of them work while studying.  

The same goals of widening access and removing barriers to education drive Regent Global’s expansion. In 2025, Regent European University (REU) opened in San Marino as a fully digital institution, removing the barriers of time and place so that students everywhere can benefit from its excellent MBA programme. Plans are in place to open a second digital university in the United States in 2026, extending the reach of this flexibility. Regent College London is also bringing world-class learning closer to students through new campuses in Dubai, India and Malta.  

Leadership Formed by Teaching and Technology 

Tharshiny has been very involved in Regent’s education businesses from the beginning. Her background in Computer Science has formed her approach, making her logical, focused and strategic. Her time teaching has had an even bigger influence than the subject she taught. As a teacher, what matters above all is the students in front of her. Are they getting what they need? Can she inspire them, drive them to greater heights than they think possible?  

As former Academic Registrar at Regent Independent College and Regent College London and Principal at RCL, Tharshiny sets the standards. She champions excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. She takes pride in the external recognition that Regent College London receives in the Office for Students National Student Survey, as the areas where the institution excels are all about the students: their satisfaction with teaching quality, assessment, learning opportunities, and student voice.   

Tharshiny always prioritises academic quality because it is what students expect and trust the institution to deliver. She works collaboratively and empowers her teams to lead in their areas, understanding that interactions with lecturers, tutors, and student support make up the student experience.  

Turning Regulatory Challenges into Opportunities for Growth  

Establishing Regent College London’s first partnership with a university to teach undergraduate degrees was both a major milestone and a significant challenge. It was a steep learning curve for Dr. Tharshiny and her team as they navigated the Office for Students’ regulatory framework and ensured that Regent College London met those standards. She views these standards as a guide for what must be delivered, using them to assess the college’s offerings, facilities and support systems to drive continuous improvement. Tharshiny treats regulatory standards as a minimum benchmark, a solid foundation to build upon and reach higher goals. 

By focusing on students and what the institution can deliver for them, Regent College London has achieved exceptional results in the 2025 National Student Survey, outperforming the England sector benchmark across every major category.  For example, 90% of RCL students expressed satisfaction with teaching quality compared with the England benchmark of 87%; 90% expressed satisfaction with assessment and feedback versus 81%; 89% with learning opportunities versus 84%; 87% with organisation and management versus 79%; and 87% with student voice versus 78%. Tharshiny acknowledges that education always presents more to be done, but through relentless effort to do better, she and her team continue to push the college to new heights. 

Thinking into Character in Leadership  

Thinking into Character (TiC) teaches individuals how to build the mindset, behaviours and resilience required to succeed. What that success looks like is individual, but the approach needed to get there is the same. Tharshiny lives the values TiC teaches day-to-day at work, leading by example. In practice, this means treating everyone she interacts with as important, having a positive attitude towards every interaction or event, being open to opportunity, and staying focused on her goals.  

Staff development at Regent Global is aligned to TiC, so staff are supported to learn the principles for themselves. The culture reflects TiC; it raises expectations and removes barriers. Team members are empowered to take the lead and act on their initiative, and they are supported as they strive. As a result, many colleagues have been part of the Regent family for a long time and have taken on more responsibility as the business has grown.  

Balancing Innovation with Responsibility in Education  

When leading an education business, Tharshiny believes that people place their trust in the institution to help them secure a brighter future. She acknowledges that innovation often requires risk, but emphasises that one must never gamble with people’s futures. The focus on who the institution serves – the customer – and why, remains at the centre of every decision.  

Dr. Tharshiny explains that a governance gate is applied before introducing any new programme or expanding into a new market to ensure that decision-making remains robust. Demand data, student needs, regulatory readiness and partner fit are all evaluated to prioritise business activities. This rigorous process, she affirms, ensures quality and sustainability while maintaining the business’ focus on delivering genuine benefit for learners.  

Lessons in People and Organisational Culture  

Tharshiny emphasises that values are everything. The values established at Regent 25 years ago, service, integrity and character, remain central to the organisation: they are lived every day. Leaders must live their values so that others who share the same principles are drawn to work with them. Geography carries less importance than finding partners who are aligned with your values and with whom collaboration flows smoothly. When the right fit is found, progress can be rapid even in the face of unfamiliar regulations.  

In Dubai, for example, Regent has been able to establish a range of new businesses quickly while maintaining its ethos through effective collaboration with regulators and local institutions. Working with global partners has demonstrated how essential values are; by keeping them at the forefront, the organisation continues to serve with integrity and character.  

Adapting to Change in Education  

Change is a given in life and education. Over the last 25 years, Tharshiny has observed increases in the numbers of students, increases in fees, and decreases in the number of international student visas issued, to mention just a few changes. Rather than being surprised by change, she finds it more helpful to accept that change will come, to expect change and to embrace it. Focusing on your core values and contributions helps you navigate change, as your purpose becomes clearer. That clarity provides direction and helps you adapt without losing sight of what truly matters.

Flexibility is essential in times of change. Tharshiny emphasises that Thinking into Character cultivates openness to opportunities that others often overlook. When guided by clear goals and values, individuals can recognise and seize opportunities that align with their vision. 

Defining Decisions That Shaped Regent Global  

Establishing the first partnership with a university to offer undergraduate degrees was a significant milestone for Regent Global, setting the organisation on the path to ultimately opening a new British university by 2035, Regent Hill University, subject to approval.  

The decision to expand internationally was pivotal to Regent Global’s growth. By establishing operations across multiple countries, the group was able to achieve its global presence. Its education businesses in Dubai, including Regent Institute Middle East, Gulf Indian High School and the University Study Centre in partnership with INTO University Partnerships, reflect this strategic international footprint. 

Plans are underway to open a new British curriculum K–12 school in Dubai with Woldingham School, one of the United Kingdom’s leading independent schools, and a Regent College London campus in Dubai. Regent College London will also launch campuses in India and Malta. Regent European University opened in San Marino in 2025, and a second digital university will follow in the United States in 2026.  

Starting in London, Regent Global has grown into a global education business. Its mission to provide education without barriers of time, place, or circumstance has opened doors for expansion outside the United Kingdom while keeping the organisation focused. A clear and meaningful mission proves essential in guiding growth and maintaining direction.  

The Future of Education and Regent Global’s Role  

Education systems are preparing young people for yesterday’s world. Because the pace of change is so great, young people must be adaptable, lifelong learners. Thinking into Character (TiC) helps develop essential skills: mindset, behaviour, resilience. That is why TiC forms part of the offering at all Regent institutions: it complements the academic courses students attend.  

One of the biggest reasons for education being out of date is the pace of technological change.  

Technology moves so fast that education risks falling behind unless institutions actively explore and apply new technologies. Regent Global remains determined to innovate and make the most of what technology makes possible. This is why Regent European University and the university planned for the United States are fully digital, and why AI Regent explores how artificial intelligence can support education.  

VRTedLab at RCL, the first VR classroom in central London, has introduced scenario-based modules, allowing students to rehearse real-world decisions in immersive environments while AI tutors provide instant feedback. The goal is to remain at the forefront of embracing new technological opportunities so that students can fully benefit from them.  

Legacy of Impact  

Tharshiny strives to make the world better than she found it. Leaving Sri Lanka as a teenager due to the civil war instilled in her a deep commitment to promoting peace. Since 2017, she has promoted understanding and harmony through the Global Unity Forum and Dinner. She believes that business can be a force for good. By widening access to education, Regent Global can improve lives, and its business success allows the company to give back.  

Under her joint leadership, the platform Public Learn was built and gifted to Sri Lanka so that people can find online courses, including the Thinking into Character programme, easily and for free. She supports organisations that share her values, whether as part of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Sustainability Group (SG70) or as a member of the World Economic Forum. For Regent Global, philanthropy is as important as business: profit fuels purpose, and purpose gives profit meaning.  

Awards  

Tharshiny received the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 2025 GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards, having won CEO of the Year at the same awards in 2024. She was a runner-up at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in 2020. She was included in the GG2 Power List in 2024, the Asian Rich List 101 Wealthiest Asians in 2024 and 2025, and the Asian Power Couple Hot 100 List in 2019.  

Regent Global received the GG2 ED&I Award for Excellence in Education in 2023 and was recognised in The Times Top 100 for being one of the fastest-growing education companies in the UK in 2022. In 2024, the World Economic Forum (WEF) granted Regent Global WEF membership, recognising the company’s contribution to a sustainable future. Tharshiny was awarded an honorary doctorate by Regent European University in 2025.