Dr. Firoz Khan
Founder Director, Cosmoversity, Sharjah, UAE
IMPARC ID: IMP-MM-MGMT-SHJ-UAE-2025-2215
Profile Summary
Dr. Firoz Khan is a seasoned marketing and education leader with over 30 years of blended academic and corporate experience spanning global marketing, luxury and fashion retail, and higher education leadership. He is the Founder Director of Cosmoversity, an SPEA-approved higher education institution based in Sharjah, UAE, focused on democratizing access to globally aligned, industry-relevant education through an online-first model offering UK and European qualifications.
A former industry practitioner with hands-on experience as a fashion buyer and merchandise planner for multinational retail organizations, Dr. Khan brings strong commercial acumen, market insight, and real-world business exposure into academic and strategic contexts. He is a published researcher and author with multiple Scopus-indexed and peer-reviewed publications, bridging theory with business practice across marketing, consumer behavior, digital transformation, and supply chain analytics.
Dr. Khan is also recognized as an impact-driven educator, mentor, and motivational speaker, known for inspiring students, professionals, and leadership teams through strategic thinking, market foresight, curriculum innovation, and people-centric leadership. His work spans undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral education, with extensive experience in curriculum design, research supervision, academic leadership, and institutional strategy.
Subject Matter Expertise
Business
• Sales & Marketing → Marketing Strategy
• Sales & Marketing → Digital Marketing
• Sales & Marketing → Market Research
• Sales & Marketing → Marketing Analytics
• Business → International Business
• Business → Entrepreneurship
Education
• Higher Education
• Curriculum Planning & Development
Economics
• Consumer Behavior & Theory
• Sales & Marketing → Marketing Strategy
• Sales & Marketing → Digital Marketing
• Sales & Marketing → Market Research
• Sales & Marketing → Marketing Analytics
• Business → International Business
• Business → Entrepreneurship
Education
• Higher Education
• Curriculum Planning & Development
Economics
• Consumer Behavior & Theory
Mentorship Offered
Consulting
• Business Strategy Consulting
• Digital Strategy Consulting
• Go-to-Market Strategy Consulting
• Operations Consulting
Research
• Market Research
• Scientific and Technical Research
• Systematic Literature Review
• Feasibility Study
Writing
• Academic & Technical Writing
• Business Strategy Consulting
• Digital Strategy Consulting
• Go-to-Market Strategy Consulting
• Operations Consulting
Research
• Market Research
• Scientific and Technical Research
• Systematic Literature Review
• Feasibility Study
Writing
• Academic & Technical Writing
Work Experience Summary
Dr. Firoz Khan has held senior academic leadership, faculty, and executive roles across higher education institutions in the UAE, India, and the UK, alongside extensive corporate experience in luxury and multinational retail. His career reflects a rare integration of strategic academic leadership, curriculum innovation, research excellence, and hands-on industry expertise in marketing, retail, and consumer analytics.
Professional Experience
Cosmoversity
Designation: Founder Director
Role & Responsibilities: Founder of an SPEA-approved higher education institution offering UK and European qualifications through an online-first model. Leads institutional strategy, partnerships, brand trust, and growth while developing global academic and professional pathways from undergraduate to doctoral levels.
Duration: January 2026 – Present
Westford University College
Designation: Senior Faculty
Role & Responsibilities: Teaching at undergraduate and master’s levels across digital marketing, international marketing, strategic marketing, retail management, luxury retailing, and international business. Responsibilities include curriculum design, academic committees, research supervision, mentoring, and program development.
Duration: May 2023 – December 2025
MIT ADT University
Designation: Associate Professor
Role & Responsibilities: Delivered teaching and research in marketing analytics, marketing research, digital marketing analytics, and marketing management. Supervised students, published research, and contributed to academic development and research funding initiatives.
Duration: 2019 – February 2020
Dnyansagar Institute of Management and Research
Designation: Assistant Professor
Role & Responsibilities: Contributed to teaching, research, curriculum development, postgraduate supervision, and institutional strategy within a research-led academic environment.
Duration: 2015 – 2019
Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS Pune)
Designation: Executive Director
Role & Responsibilities: Provided overall leadership including strategic planning, revenue generation, financial management, organizational development, and program operations.
Duration: 2011 – 2015
Choice College of Arts, Science and Commerce
Designation: Senior Lecturer – Marketing & Retail Management
Role & Responsibilities: Taught undergraduate and graduate courses, conducted research, supervised students, developed curriculum, and organized academic seminars and conferences.
Duration: 2008 – 2011
Paris Gallery LLC
Designation: Buying Manager
Role & Responsibilities: Managed luxury fashion buying, assortment planning, supplier negotiations, sales forecasting, inventory management, trend analysis, and budget control for one of the UAE’s leading luxury retailers.
Duration: 2001 – 2006
Alshaya Trading Agencies Est. (Debenhams & Arcadia Division)
Designation: Merchandise Planner
Role & Responsibilities: Supported merchandise planning, forecasting, budgeting, stock management, promotions, KPI tracking, and coordination across retail and warehouse operations in the Middle East and Europe.
Duration: 1998 – 2001
Royal Condominium International
Designation: Direct Mailing Manager
Role & Responsibilities: Managed database procurement, direct mail campaigns, response tracking, sales forecasting, reporting, and coordination with marketing and mailing partners.
Duration: 1997 – 1998
Cosmoversity
Designation: Founder Director
Role & Responsibilities: Founder of an SPEA-approved higher education institution offering UK and European qualifications through an online-first model. Leads institutional strategy, partnerships, brand trust, and growth while developing global academic and professional pathways from undergraduate to doctoral levels.
Duration: January 2026 – Present
Westford University College
Designation: Senior Faculty
Role & Responsibilities: Teaching at undergraduate and master’s levels across digital marketing, international marketing, strategic marketing, retail management, luxury retailing, and international business. Responsibilities include curriculum design, academic committees, research supervision, mentoring, and program development.
Duration: May 2023 – December 2025
MIT ADT University
Designation: Associate Professor
Role & Responsibilities: Delivered teaching and research in marketing analytics, marketing research, digital marketing analytics, and marketing management. Supervised students, published research, and contributed to academic development and research funding initiatives.
Duration: 2019 – February 2020
Dnyansagar Institute of Management and Research
Designation: Assistant Professor
Role & Responsibilities: Contributed to teaching, research, curriculum development, postgraduate supervision, and institutional strategy within a research-led academic environment.
Duration: 2015 – 2019
Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS Pune)
Designation: Executive Director
Role & Responsibilities: Provided overall leadership including strategic planning, revenue generation, financial management, organizational development, and program operations.
Duration: 2011 – 2015
Choice College of Arts, Science and Commerce
Designation: Senior Lecturer – Marketing & Retail Management
Role & Responsibilities: Taught undergraduate and graduate courses, conducted research, supervised students, developed curriculum, and organized academic seminars and conferences.
Duration: 2008 – 2011
Paris Gallery LLC
Designation: Buying Manager
Role & Responsibilities: Managed luxury fashion buying, assortment planning, supplier negotiations, sales forecasting, inventory management, trend analysis, and budget control for one of the UAE’s leading luxury retailers.
Duration: 2001 – 2006
Alshaya Trading Agencies Est. (Debenhams & Arcadia Division)
Designation: Merchandise Planner
Role & Responsibilities: Supported merchandise planning, forecasting, budgeting, stock management, promotions, KPI tracking, and coordination across retail and warehouse operations in the Middle East and Europe.
Duration: 1998 – 2001
Royal Condominium International
Designation: Direct Mailing Manager
Role & Responsibilities: Managed database procurement, direct mail campaigns, response tracking, sales forecasting, reporting, and coordination with marketing and mailing partners.
Duration: 1997 – 1998
Educational Summary
Dr. Firoz Khan holds a PhD in Business Administration with research focused on consumer response and retail practices, supported by postgraduate qualifications in international fashion marketing and business administration. His academic foundation combines business, marketing, and social science perspectives.
Educational Qualifications
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Discipline: Business Administration
Duration: August 2015 – February 2020
Heriot-Watt University
Degree: Postgraduate Diploma
Specialization: International Fashion Marketing
Duration: September 2007 – August 2008
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Discipline: Business Administration
Duration: 1994 – 1996
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Specialization: Geography
Duration: 1991 – 1993
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Discipline: Business Administration
Duration: August 2015 – February 2020
Heriot-Watt University
Degree: Postgraduate Diploma
Specialization: International Fashion Marketing
Duration: September 2007 – August 2008
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Discipline: Business Administration
Duration: 1994 – 1996
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Specialization: Geography
Duration: 1991 – 1993
PATENTS
Intellectual Property Rights (Registered Designs)
Registered Design (India)
Title: Interactive Kiosk for Business Management
Protection Type: Registered Design (Class 14-02)
Design No.: 460848-001
Serial No.: 207663
Registration Date: 31 May 2025
Certificate Issued: 21 August 2025
Jurisdiction / Law: Registered under the Designs Act, 2000 and Designs Rules, 2001 (India)
Applicants / Co-designers: Dr. Prashant Vitthal Sathe; Prof. (Dr.) Aftab Anwar Shaikh; Dr. Sunil Sudhakar Shete; Dr. Firoz Khan; Dr. Amit Kumar Singh Bhadoria
Location: Pune, India
Duration: May 2005 – August 2025
Registered Design (United Kingdom)
Title: Computing Device for Predicting Consumer Behaviour
Protection Type: UK Registered Design
Design No.: 6444120
Registration Date: 13 May 2025
Certificate Issued: 23 May 2025
Jurisdiction / Law: UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO); Registered Designs Act, 1949
Applicants / Co-designers: Prof. (Dr.) Aftab Anwar Shaikh; Dr. Firoz Khan; Dr. Amit Kumar Singh Bhadoria
Classification: International Design Classification (IDC) v15-2025 — Class 14: Recording, telecommunication or data processing equipment; Subclass 02: Data processing equipment and peripheral apparatus
Location: London, United Kingdom
Duration: May 2025 – May 2025
Registered Design (India)
Title: Interactive Kiosk for Business Management
Protection Type: Registered Design (Class 14-02)
Design No.: 460848-001
Serial No.: 207663
Registration Date: 31 May 2025
Certificate Issued: 21 August 2025
Jurisdiction / Law: Registered under the Designs Act, 2000 and Designs Rules, 2001 (India)
Applicants / Co-designers: Dr. Prashant Vitthal Sathe; Prof. (Dr.) Aftab Anwar Shaikh; Dr. Sunil Sudhakar Shete; Dr. Firoz Khan; Dr. Amit Kumar Singh Bhadoria
Location: Pune, India
Duration: May 2005 – August 2025
Registered Design (United Kingdom)
Title: Computing Device for Predicting Consumer Behaviour
Protection Type: UK Registered Design
Design No.: 6444120
Registration Date: 13 May 2025
Certificate Issued: 23 May 2025
Jurisdiction / Law: UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO); Registered Designs Act, 1949
Applicants / Co-designers: Prof. (Dr.) Aftab Anwar Shaikh; Dr. Firoz Khan; Dr. Amit Kumar Singh Bhadoria
Classification: International Design Classification (IDC) v15-2025 — Class 14: Recording, telecommunication or data processing equipment; Subclass 02: Data processing equipment and peripheral apparatus
Location: London, United Kingdom
Duration: May 2025 – May 2025
Publication Summary
Dr. Firoz Khan is a published academic author with multiple Scopus-indexed and peer-reviewed journal and book chapter publications covering marketing, consumer behavior, digital transformation, organizational culture, and supply chain analytics.
Publications
2024
Title: An Investigation into the Effects of Dundee’s Cultural and Economic Revitalization on Independent Food Enterprises: A Critical Review of the Worldwide Literature
Authors: Kenji, I.; Gilani, S. A.; Tantry, A.; Khan, F.; Mulla, T.; Askri, S.; Handhi; Armosh, F.
Publication: Studies in Big Data – Big Data in Finance: Transforming the Financial Landscape (Volume 1)
Publisher: Springer, Cham
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51997-0_38
Indexing: Scopus
Title: The Application of Machine Learning in Supporting Supply Chain Management Operations in the Manufacturing Sector Based in England
Authors: Tantry, A.; Khan, F.; Gilani, S. A.; Peel, R.
Publication: Digitalisation: Contributions to Finance and Accounting; Green Finance and Energy Transition: Innovation, Legal Frameworks and Regulation (Volume 2)
Publisher: Springer Nature
Link: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-26953-0_15
Indexing: Scopus
Title: The Factors that Encourage and Hinder the Tourism Industry’s Use of Augmented Reality Technology by UK-Based Clients
Authors: Aseer, J.; Tantry, A.; Gilani, S. A.; Khan, F.; Peel, R.
Publication: Contributions to Finance and Accounting; Green Finance and Energy Transition: Innovation, Legal Frameworks and Regulation (Volume 2)
Publisher: Springer Nature
Indexing: Scopus
2023
Title: I Must Buy So I Don’t Die – Panic Buying and Change in Consumer Behaviour During Covid-19 in the Pune Metropolitan Region
Authors: Khan, F.; Kazi, R.; Szymanska, A.
Journal: Indian Journal of Marketing (Double-blind peer-reviewed refereed monthly journal)
ISSN: 0973-8703
DOI: 10.17010/ijom/2023/v53/i12/173353
Indexing: SCOPUS (Q2), ABDC
2021
Title: Evolution of Organizational Culture and Structure in Teal Organizations
Authors: Szymańska, A.; Khan, F.; Anant, P.
Book: Self-Management, Entrepreneurial Culture, and Economy 4.0
Publisher: Routledge
Pages: 129–147
Indexing: Scopus
2016
Title: The Impact of Promotional Tools Used by Hypermarkets in Pune City to Influence the Consumer Buying Behavior
Authors: Khan, F.; Ghorpode, N.
Journal: International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research (IJSER)
Volume / Issue: 7(12)
ISSN: 2229-5518
Link: https://www.ijser.org/research-paper-publishing-december-2016_page2.aspx
Title: Emerging Strategies of Luxury Brand Advertisements in India – Relevance of Taylor’s Six-Segment Message Strategy Wheel
Author: Khan, F.
Journal: International Journal of Business, Management & Social Sciences (IJBMSS)
Volume / Issue: 5(4)
Title: The Hypermarket Retailing Format in India: Challenges and Opportunities
Author: Khan, F.
Publication: Research Horizon – Compendium of Research Papers
Volume: 2
Page: 19
ISBN: 978-93-5158-544-2
Title: Building Resilience in Indian Youth through Active Participation
Author: Khan, F.
Publication: Proceeding Book – Understanding Human Living and Counseling, Department of Psychology
Year: 2016
Page: 26
ISBN: 978-93-5158-569-1
2015
Title: Persuasive Factors on Consumer Buying Behavior of Luxury Goods – A Study on the Buying Behavior of Young Consumers in India
Author: Khan, F.
Journal: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Volume / Issue: Vol. 8, Issue VI
Page: 55
ISSN: 2277-9302
2024
Title: An Investigation into the Effects of Dundee’s Cultural and Economic Revitalization on Independent Food Enterprises: A Critical Review of the Worldwide Literature
Authors: Kenji, I.; Gilani, S. A.; Tantry, A.; Khan, F.; Mulla, T.; Askri, S.; Handhi; Armosh, F.
Publication: Studies in Big Data – Big Data in Finance: Transforming the Financial Landscape (Volume 1)
Publisher: Springer, Cham
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51997-0_38
Indexing: Scopus
Title: The Application of Machine Learning in Supporting Supply Chain Management Operations in the Manufacturing Sector Based in England
Authors: Tantry, A.; Khan, F.; Gilani, S. A.; Peel, R.
Publication: Digitalisation: Contributions to Finance and Accounting; Green Finance and Energy Transition: Innovation, Legal Frameworks and Regulation (Volume 2)
Publisher: Springer Nature
Link: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-26953-0_15
Indexing: Scopus
Title: The Factors that Encourage and Hinder the Tourism Industry’s Use of Augmented Reality Technology by UK-Based Clients
Authors: Aseer, J.; Tantry, A.; Gilani, S. A.; Khan, F.; Peel, R.
Publication: Contributions to Finance and Accounting; Green Finance and Energy Transition: Innovation, Legal Frameworks and Regulation (Volume 2)
Publisher: Springer Nature
Indexing: Scopus
2023
Title: I Must Buy So I Don’t Die – Panic Buying and Change in Consumer Behaviour During Covid-19 in the Pune Metropolitan Region
Authors: Khan, F.; Kazi, R.; Szymanska, A.
Journal: Indian Journal of Marketing (Double-blind peer-reviewed refereed monthly journal)
ISSN: 0973-8703
DOI: 10.17010/ijom/2023/v53/i12/173353
Indexing: SCOPUS (Q2), ABDC
2021
Title: Evolution of Organizational Culture and Structure in Teal Organizations
Authors: Szymańska, A.; Khan, F.; Anant, P.
Book: Self-Management, Entrepreneurial Culture, and Economy 4.0
Publisher: Routledge
Pages: 129–147
Indexing: Scopus
2016
Title: The Impact of Promotional Tools Used by Hypermarkets in Pune City to Influence the Consumer Buying Behavior
Authors: Khan, F.; Ghorpode, N.
Journal: International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research (IJSER)
Volume / Issue: 7(12)
ISSN: 2229-5518
Link: https://www.ijser.org/research-paper-publishing-december-2016_page2.aspx
Title: Emerging Strategies of Luxury Brand Advertisements in India – Relevance of Taylor’s Six-Segment Message Strategy Wheel
Author: Khan, F.
Journal: International Journal of Business, Management & Social Sciences (IJBMSS)
Volume / Issue: 5(4)
Title: The Hypermarket Retailing Format in India: Challenges and Opportunities
Author: Khan, F.
Publication: Research Horizon – Compendium of Research Papers
Volume: 2
Page: 19
ISBN: 978-93-5158-544-2
Title: Building Resilience in Indian Youth through Active Participation
Author: Khan, F.
Publication: Proceeding Book – Understanding Human Living and Counseling, Department of Psychology
Year: 2016
Page: 26
ISBN: 978-93-5158-569-1
2015
Title: Persuasive Factors on Consumer Buying Behavior of Luxury Goods – A Study on the Buying Behavior of Young Consumers in India
Author: Khan, F.
Journal: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Volume / Issue: Vol. 8, Issue VI
Page: 55
ISSN: 2277-9302