Dr. Riyas Kalathinkal, Non-Executive Director and Advisor for Marketing and Collaboration at YMetaconnect, is a distinguished academic, researcher, and industry leader with over 26 years of experience in higher education, applied research, and executive leadership. He has served in strategic advisory roles at Moricap Hospitality and Jewellery Group and held academic leadership positions at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Oman, and institutions affiliated with the University of Calicut, India. He also served as Head of the Department of Commerce at WMO College, Wayanad. Renowned for his practice-oriented teaching philosophy, he integrates academic theory with real-world industry applications. He holds a DLit, PhD, MTTM, MBA in Finance & Marketing, MCom in Finance, BCom in Tourism & Travel Management, and BEd in Commerce.