Krea University is an upcoming liberal arts university in South India like Ashoka, but with even bigger names involved: Raghuram Rajan, Manjul Bhargava, Anand Mahindra, Sajjan Jindal, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw etc. But what's interesting is that Cyril Shroff is also named alongside them. What's the deal? Is he a promoter and putting his money in the project? Is Krea starting a law school? Why is he taking an interest?
You are reading too much into it. It's an honorary position to which he would have happily agreed considering all other folks on the council are hotshots too. Also, just because he is MP of a law firm doesn't mind that Krea will start a law firm, a lot of finance and management courses have a lot of curriculum, and at this point, Cyril is Cyril not because he is the best source on the interpretation of Company Law (not saying he isn't good) but more because of his business acumen and his ability to advise in tricky situations, all of which are relevant to MBA program being offered at Krea. Anyways, I doubt Cyril would spend much time on Krea other than perhaps one annual meeting of the Council and perhaps an occasional guest lecture or an appearance at convocation or some special event.
Wikipedia: The university was established with an initial investment of ₹750 crore (US$110 million) by a group of donors led by former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Raghuram Rajan.
My guess is Raghuram Rajan contacted him and asked him to invest a few of his millions. Education is a big business these days and investing there will give higher returns than mutual funds.
https://krea.edu.in/governing-council/
Also, just because he is MP of a law firm doesn't mind that Krea will start a law firm, a lot of finance and management courses have a lot of curriculum, and at this point, Cyril is Cyril not because he is the best source on the interpretation of Company Law (not saying he isn't good) but more because of his business acumen and his ability to advise in tricky situations, all of which are relevant to MBA program being offered at Krea.
Anyways, I doubt Cyril would spend much time on Krea other than perhaps one annual meeting of the Council and perhaps an occasional guest lecture or an appearance at convocation or some special event.
My guess is Raghuram Rajan contacted him and asked him to invest a few of his millions. Education is a big business these days and investing there will give higher returns than mutual funds.