Meet the Minds
Behind Study Square
Behind every student success story is a team of passionate leaders. Meet the founders and leadership team whose vision, experience, and dedication continue to shape Study Square.
A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER
It started with one uncertain student.
That was Saurabh in 2005, fresh off a flight from India to La Trobe University. Two decades later, Study Square exists because he kept getting the question: "I want to study abroad — where do I even start?"
FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Saurabh Baid
"No one has ever achieved greatness without dreams."
— Roy Bennett
I arrived in Australia in 2005 as a student with ambition and uncertainty — much like many international students today. My journey, from enrolling in an MBA at La Trobe University to building global education ventures, has been shaped by empathy, experience, and purpose.
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In 2008, I founded AECC, where I served as Managing Director until 2018, establishing it as one of the fastest-growing education agencies globally. From 2016 to 2021, I was Founder of Insight Academy of Entrepreneurship, focused on nurturing innovation and leadership among students. More recently, I served as Investor and Board Member at Adventus.io from 2021 to 2024 — contributing to the digital evolution of international education.
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That journey continues with my newest venture, Study Square — a company built on over 18 years of industry insight and driven by a mission to help students realize their global education dreams. We proudly partner with leading institutions across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the US, and the UK.
As a member of NAFSA and QEAC, I stand by the values of ethics, transparency, and personalized service. Our dedicated team supports students every step of the way — making complex processes seamless and accessible.
TO STUDENTS
Take the first step.
TO PARENTS
Trust in your child's vision.
TO PARTNERS
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Let's continue building futures with honesty, care, and collaboration.
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— Saurabh
Saurabh Baid
Founder & Managing Director · Study Square
ADVISORY BOARD
Decades of policy & practice
Our advisors have shaped international education at government and industry level. They keep us honest, ambitious, and globally connected.
ADVISORY BOARD
Steve Herbert
Fmr. Minister for International Education, Victoria · AU
The Hon. Steve Herbert has been a member of the Australian Parliament for multiple terms. In 2004 he was appointed Minister for Training and Skills, the first-ever state Minister for International Education in Victoria, Australia.
Under his Ministerial guidance, International Education in Victoria expanded significantly. Steve has been directly responsible for a major transformation of apprenticeships and training. He has overhauled and transformed the vital TAFE sector and was responsible for modernizing University governance. Steve has advised governments at both a State and a Commonwealth level.
In 2002, he was appointed as the chair of the inaugural all party Parliamentary Education and Training Committee. He has also served as the Shadow Minister for Higher Education and Skills and as the Shadow Minister or the Teaching Profession.
At Study Square, Steve brings his expertise and in-depth knowledge in Australian education and will contribute towards long term strategies and solutions with the aim to strengthen brand and its foot-print.
ADVISORY BOARD
Mark Shay
Co-founder GradSchools.com · StudyAbroad.com · USA
Mark Shay is a business leader with 31 years of success in helping higher education institutions recruit, retain, and better serve students. He has built several companies independently and been a key executive in several other early stage ventures. He has been known as an innovator for developing products like GradSchools.com, and StudyAbroad.com, creating international student recruiting solutions for agents and universities, and his consulting expertise in areas of sales and marketing.
Over the past decade, he has worked to bring several agents to the US market including IDP Education, QS Advance, etc. He was the first agent representative to serve as a Board member of AIRC and has been a strong proponent of the use of agents as a standard practice in international student recruitment.
Mark helped Study Square develop its initial portfolio of US institutions and as an Advisor remains a connection between the company and the American higher education sector.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Decades of leadership & practice
Our leaders across Australia, India, Nepal, and the Philippines. Most have studied abroad themselves — and most have been in this industry longer than you've been thinking about it.
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Kelana Jaya
Associate Director · Australia
Mr. Kelana Jaya has an extensive experience across diverse markets and has been bringing immense value and a unique personality to the international student industry. Holding a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Master's in Marketing, Kelana is not only academically accomplished but also a former international student.
His personal journey highlights both the excitement and challenges of studying abroad, enabling him to build strong, authentic connections with students and institutions alike. His approachable personality has earned him a reputation as a highly trusted figure among students and peers. With 27 years of experience in the international education sector, Kelana embodies the diversity and expertise that drive success in this dynamic industry.
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Prashant Anand
Associate Director · India
Prashant Anand is working as an Associate Director-India and brings over 20 years of experience in the study abroad industry, with a stellar track record of guiding students to prestigious universities in the USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and Europe. His expertise spans global education systems, visa regulations, and scholarship opportunities, ensuring tailored and strategic support for every student. He has worked at senior leadership positions with The Princeton Review(Manya Group), on an ETS project, Navitas and University of Canberra. He is also a QEAC certified counsellor.
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Throughout his career, Prashant has forged strong relationships with many universities worldwide, facilitating smoother admissions and expanding opportunities for students. His leadership has consistently fostered a collaborative environment focused on student success and professional development.
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Sujata Sherpa
Business Head · Nepal
Ms. Sujata Sherpa is working at Study Square as the Business Head of Nepal and plays a crucial role in developing strategies to capture a higher market share, liaising and organizing trainings with various institutes, along with the overall sales and marketing performance in Nepal. She has completed her Bachelors’ in Political Science from North Bengal University.
With over 19 years of experience in the International education recruitment sector, she exhibits great competence in Student Recruitment, Networking, Operations, Client Relations and Strategic Management. Early on in her career, she has worked with Reliance Telecom, Siliguri and Cluny Women’s College, Kalimpong, in India. Prior to joining Study Square, she was General Manager of PAC ASIA Study Abroad – Nepal, contributing greatly to their leadership position in Nepal.
Ms. Sujata is also a QEAC and TITI Certified Education Counsellor.
Bijaya Budhathoki
Associate Director - Onshore
Ms. Bijaya Budhathoki is working at Study Square as the Associate Director-Onshore. With over 16 years of experience in international education, Bijaya brings a wealth of industry knowledge.
Her strong network across the education landscape, combined with her deep understanding of student and partner needs, will add immense value to our journey ahead. Known for her empathetic, collaborative, and trust-driven leadership style, Bijaya empowers counsellors and cross-functional teams to thrive — while driving student success, partner growth, and business outcomes.
Ann Santiago
Associate Director - Philippines
Ms. Ann Santiago is a QEAC certified counsellor, boasting over 15 years of experience across education, employment, and migration. She specializes in Australian education and migration, with additional expertise in study options for Canada, Germany, and Ireland. Known for building strategic partnerships and leading high impact teams, she has successfully guided individuals and institutions through student recruitment, visa processing, and international collaboration.
She has played a key role in organizing events that connect students with global thought leaders, unlocking new opportunities for growth. Committed to driving sustainable value, she focuses on transforming challenges into opportunities in an ever evolving global landscape.
Neeharika Makhijani
Finance Head
Ms. Neeharika Makhijani is working at Study Square as Head of Finance. She has completed her Bachelors in Commerce from H.R. College, Mumbai and holds a M.Sc. in Accounting and Finance from the acclaimed Cardiff University, UK. She also has a MBA major Finance and minor HR from Amity University, Noida.
She has been heading the finance division for over 2 years at Study Square India and has proven to be an extremely valuable asset while handling other departments in the last year. Her performance has been truly remarkable, especially while tackling various situations with university delegates and team members alike.