Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the representative body of Indian universities, presents the West Zone Vice Chancellors’ Meet hosted by Somaiya Vidyavihar University, part of the ‘Higher Education@2047’ series. Focused on ‘Future of Work & Skill Development,’ the event addresses key challenges, explores collaboration opportunities, and includes sessions on sustainable careers, human-centered skills, and NEP implementation.
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11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Hon'ble Governor of Maharashtra
On February 18, 2023, Shri Ramesh Bais assumed the role of Maharashtra's Governor, bringing over five decades of rich political experience. His journey, from Councilor to Union Minister and Governor, includes the remarkable feat of winning the Raipur Lok Sabha seat for seven consecutive terms since 1989. Beyond politics, Shri Ramesh Bais is renowned for his dedicated social work, organising health camps, eye check-ups, and sports competitions in rural areas.
Serving as the President of the Chhattisgarh Archery Olympic Association and chairing the Madhya Pradesh Seeds and Agriculture Development Corporation showcases his diverse contributions. Maharashtra is privileged to have such a multifaceted personality steering its governance.
Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai
Shri. Samir Somaiya serves as Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University; President, Somaiya Vidyavihar; Chairman & Managing Director at Godavari Biorefineries; Chairman, K. J. Somaiya Trust, K. J. Somaiya Medical Trust, K. J. Somaiya Institute of Applied Agriculture Research and The Girivanvasi Pragati Mandal. He is also President, Indian Merchants Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He is a Committee Member of the Green Chemistry Initiative, Constituted by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister; Advisory Board, School of Chemical Engineering, Cornell University, USA; Center for Indic Studies, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, USA and Council of Religious Leaders - Astana, Kazakhstan. He won the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy (2022), Lala Shriram National Award for Leadership in Chemical Industry by IICE (2022), Shri Kutchi Lohana Mahajan Gnati Gaurav (2009) and The American Institute of Chemists Award in 1990.
President AIU & Vice Chancellor, USTM, Meghalaya
Prof G D Sharma is the President of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, and Vice Chancellor, of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya. A very acclaimed Academic of the Country, Prof Sharma held many important positions apart from being Vice Chancellor at the University of Nagaland, Assam University, and Bilaspur University.
He is a Fellow of Royal Society, London, UK & INSA, India under an exchange programme. He is conferred with Dr. Narsimhan Medal Award by Indian Phytopathol. Society, Rashtriya Ratna Award by International Study Center, DEED Award by Confederation of Indian Universities, Birbal Sahni Award by Indian Botanical Society, Education Excellency Award by CCLP Worldwide, Vidya Ratan National Samman by All India Higher Research Sanskrit, Raebareli, Outstanding Educational Contribution Award by CMAI, New Delhi.
Vice Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai
Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai is the Vice-Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai. He has been in teaching, research and educational administration for 45 years in the Public Higher education system, and thereafter 7 years in the Private Higher education system in the country.
Secretary General, AIU
Dr Pankaj Mittal's extensive three-decade journey in Higher Education is marked by outstanding achievements in policy planning and management. Noteworthy accolades include the Fulbright Nehru Scholarship grant, the President of India Award for Digital Initiatives in Higher Education, and an Honorary Doctorate-D Litt (HonorisCausa) from Karnataka State Women’s University.
As Chief Commissioner (Guides) of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Mittal has garnered recognition for her leadership, receiving awards like the Qimpro Gold Standard Award for leadership in Education in 2018.
Registrar, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai
Prof. Nandkumar Gilke is Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering in K J Somaiya College of Engineering for the last 28 years. He served as ex-member of Management Council, Academic Council and Faculty of Technology of University of Mumbai.
12:15 PM to 1:15 PM
Vice President, AIU & Vice Chancellor, CSJMU, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Vinay Kumar Pathak is the Vice President of the Association of Indian Universities and Vice Chancellor, Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University, Kanpur. Earlier, he served as Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani; Vardhman Mahavir Kota Open University, Rajasthan, and APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Uttar Pradesh as Vice Chancellor.
He also served Harcourt Buttler Technical University, Kanpur; Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow; Rajasthan Technical University, Kota; and Doctor Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra Harcourt Buttler Technical University, Kanpur; Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow; Rajasthan Technical University, Kota; and Doctor Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra as Vice Chancellor in additional charge. An Eminent Professor of Computer Science, Prof Pathak worked in Media Lab Asia and successfully did the work of info-sculpture. Pathak was instrumental in the implementation and promotion of Vedic Mathematics in 1992.
Secretary General, AIU
Dr Pankaj Mittal's extensive three-decade journey in Higher Education is marked by outstanding achievements in policy planning and management. Noteworthy accolades include the Fulbright Nehru Scholarship grant, the President of India Award for Digital Initiatives in Higher Education, and an Honorary Doctorate-D Litt (HonorisCausa) from Karnataka State Women’s University.
As Chief Commissioner (Guides) of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Mittal has garnered recognition for her leadership, receiving awards like the Qimpro Gold Standard Award for leadership in Education in 2018.
Principal Secretary, Higher and Technical Education Department Government of Maharashtra
Shri. Vikas Rastogi is currently the Principal Secretary, Higher and Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra. He has served as Officer Trainee, LSBNAA, Mussoorie from 1995 till 1997; Assistant Collector, Arvi Wardha; Chief Executive Officer, Aurangabad; Chief Executive Officer, Ahmednagar; Chief Executive Officer,
Parbhani; Joint Commissioner Sales Tax, Mumbai; Collector, Ratnagiri; Joint Secretary to Honourable Governor of Maharashtra; Secretary to Honourable Governor of Maharashtra; Project Director, Maharashtra Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture and Principal Secretary (Information Technology and Chairman (MahaIT) and State IT Corporation.
Director, NAAC, Bangalore
Prof. Ganesan Kannabiran is currently the Director of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore which accredits Universities and Colleges in India by drawing best practices from around the world.
He is a recipient of Commonwealth Professional Fellowship, two Fulbright Fellowships and British Council Study Fellowship. Served as the National Expert for Asian Productivity Organization. He had carried out research projects with national and international organizations including MeitY, AICTE, UKIERI and the Asia Foundation. He was the first Director of IIIT Sri City Chittoor AP, founder director of CEDI and Head of the Department at NIT Trichy.
Assistant Director General (Education), ICAR, New Delhi
Dr. (Ms) Seema Jaggi is serving as the Assistant Director-General (Human Resource Development), Agricultural Education Division at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) since April 2021. Prior to this, she served as the Principal Scientist, 2009 onwards, Professor (Agricultural Statistics), 2014-2021, Head (Officiating), Division of Design of Experiments, 2015-2021 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi.
She won Awards/Honours that include ICAR Panjabrao Deshmukh Outstanding Woman Scientist Award-2017, ICAR Bharat Ratna Dr. C. Subramaniam Award for Outstanding Teachers, 2013; and INSA Teacher Award, 2015. Her research areas include Agricultural Statistics, Design of Experiments, Statistical Computing, Agricultural Education.
Adviser-I, AICTE, New Delhi
Prof Rajendra B Kakde joined All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) as an Adviser from 1st September 2020. Previously he was Professor at Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
He has served as Chairman and member on many committees of the university includes Perspective Plan, Autonomy Granting, Ordinance, Academic Administrative Audit, IQAC, NAAC, Research Advisory Committee, LEC, Selection Panel etc. Dr. Kakde acts as Judge in MP-COST, CG-COST and Avishkar (Research Festival of Maharashtra). Dr. Kakde completed major research projects from DST/SERB, AICTE and RUSA. He is visiting Professor at Portsmouth University, Portsmouth, United Kingdom and works in collaborative project with School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences. He is also recipient of CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership (QCF).
2:15 PM to 3:45 PM
Sustainable Careers: Navigating a Dynamic Work Landscape
VC, University of Mumbai
With nearly 30 years of teaching experience, Professor Kulkarni is a senior faculty member at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in Matunga. Specialising in oils, oleochemicals, and surfactant technology, he holds a PhD from Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University.
His thesis, 'Development of value-added products from industrial wastes,' earned him his doctorate. Having completed his graduation at ICT, Professor Kulkarni has contributed significantly to research with seven patents and over 80 international publications in the field of engineering and chemical technology.
Vice Chancellor, Indrashil University, Gujarat
Dr. Dharmesh J Shah is currently the Vice Chancellor of Indrashil University, Gujarat. He had Worked as Faculty, Head of Department in Electronics & Communication Department, Dean of the Engineering Faculty at North Gujarat University, Patan, Dean - Gujarat Technological University (GTU), Ahmedabad, Academic Director of Nootan Sarva Vidhyalay Kelvani Mandal, Visnagar, Provost (Vice Chancellor) of the Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar. He is also a Freelance consultant to various industry projects, AERB related consultancy services for Type Approval, authorisation etc.
Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Jodhpur
Prof. (Dr.) Harpreet Kaur is currently the Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Jodhpur. She was also Former Officiating Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Professor at National Law University, Delhi. She has previously been Professor and Dean at the Institute for Integrated Learning in Management – Graduate School of Management, Greater Noida.
She has developed and taught interdisciplinary courses on law for managers from different streams of management education, including international business laws and the legal aspects of retail and banking businesses. She has also Co-authored text books on different areas of law with Dr. Avtar Singh namely, Introduction to Jurisprudence, Introduction to Interpretation of laws, Introduction to Industrial and Labour laws, Transfer of Property Act, Laws of Torts and Supreme Court-Income Tax Judgments.
Chairman, Hindustan Construction Company Ltd.
Ajit Gulabchand is Chairman and Managing Director of HCC - one of India's leading construction companies, founded by industrialist Seth Walchand Hirachand in 1926. At the helm of affairs in HCC since 1983, Mr. Gulabchand's path-breaking management initiatives have grown HCC into a modern and vibrant infrastructure player, with a vast business portfolio and a knowledge asset and expertise of more than 3000 professionally qualified people.
Gulabchand serves as chairman of the board of governance at National Institute of Construction Management & Research (NICMAR) and as chairman of Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli. He is a founding member of the World Economic Forum's Disaster Resource Network and a member of the National Council of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
4:15 PM to 5:45 PM
Human-Centered Skills in a Tech-Driven World: Soft Skills & Emotional Intelligence
Vice Chancellor, Atlas Skill Tech University, Mumbai
Prof. Rajan Welukar is Vice Chancellor of Atlas Skill Tech University, Mumbai. Earlier he served as Vice Chancellor at the University of Mumbai; Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik; Auro University, Surat; and G H Raisoni University, Nagpur. Provost of Somaiya Group of Institutions, I/C Vice Chancellor of SNDT Women’s University, I/C Director, Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education. Provost of Somaiya Group of Institutions, I/C Vice-chancellor of SNDT Women’s University, I/C Director, Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education.
Senior Programme Officer at Commonwealth Secretariat’s CYP Asia Region, Deputy Secretary to the Governor of Maharashtra, and Officer on Special Duty, Higher & Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra. Senior Programme Officer at Commonwealth Secretariat’s CYP Asia Region, Deputy Secretary to the Governor of Maharashtra, and Officer on Special Duty, Higher & Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra. His involvement as a policy and opinion leader and an implementor of development initiatives has made him a known higher educational professional.
Vice Chancellor, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Gujarat
Dr Ami U Upadhyay is the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (State) Open University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat with teaching experience of more than 24 years. She has been Professor of English Literature and Language and Director, School of Humanities and Social Sciences with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
She had been awarded Commonwealth of Learning Fellowship Award, Gujarat State Leadership Award 2022, Manbhai Bhatt Pratisthit Nagarik Samman, Pride of the Nation Excellence Award 2021 and The Best Vice Chancellor in Open and Distance Learning Award, 2020.
Vice Chancellor, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Raigad, Maharashtra.
Prof. Karbhari V. Kale serves as the Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University in Lonere. From 19th May 2022 to 6th June 2023, he successfully fulfilled the responsibilities of serving as the Vice Chancellor on an additional charge basis at Savitribai Phule Pune University in Pune, Maharashtra.
With over 32 years of experience in teaching, research, and innovation, he is a renowned academician in the field of Computer Science and Information Technology. He has received several academic honours and professional distinctions, including the VIJAY SHREE Award, Finalist ICT Researcher of The Year 2016 ACS Australia, and Research Professor Award for the year 2016-17.
Vice Chancellor, Central University of Gujarat
Prof. Rama Shanker Dubey is the Vice Chancellor of Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar. Prior to it, he served as Vice Chancellor in Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, Bihar (2014-2017) and also as Vice-Chancellor in Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh (2008-2009).
He has served as Professor of Biochemistry at Banaras Hindu University for over 20 years. He is presently serving as Member, Board of Governors of IISER Mohali, MHRD Council’s nominee for Selections at IISER Kolkata, Visitor’s Nominee at IIT Madras and IIT Guwahati. He is Fellow of Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists, Biotech Research Society of India and Bio-Ved Research Society of India.
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Implementation of NEP : Future of Work and Education
Chairman, NEP Steering Committee (Maharashtra State) & Former VC, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
Prof Karmalkar is currently the Chairman of the NEP Steering Committee of Maharashtra State, and former Vice-Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. He was also the Head of Department of Environmental Science and Department of Geology is a well-known scientist in the field of Igneous Petrology.
With more than 25 years of teaching and more than 30 research publications in various national and international journals, he is actively involved in academics and research along with constantly guiding various facets of academia being a part of Member of Board of Studies & Research and Recognition committees for Geology and Environmental Science. He is a Council Member, Geological Society of India, Bangalore, and Fellow Maharashtra Academy of Sciences, India and in 2005, Dr Karmalkar received ‘Prof C Naganna Gold Medal’ of the Mineralogical Society of India (Mysore) towards his contributions in the field of Alkaline Magmatism of the Kutch region, Gujarat.
Vice Chancellor, JECRC University - Jaipur
Prof. Victor Gambhir is currently the Vice Chancellor & President, JECRC University, Rajasthan. Prof Gambhir has also worked as a VC at Maharishi Markandeshwar, Ambala; JECRC University, Jaipur; as a Pro Vice Chancellor & Director Planning at Manav Rachna International Institute of Studies & Research; Joint Director in Technical Education Department, Government of Haryana.
He was instrumental in executing two World Bank Projects for Development of Technician Education in Haryana and Technical Education Quality Improvement Program in Haryana for Capacity Building, Quality and Efficiency Improvement worth more than 250 crores. His research area includes Institutional Ranking, Accreditation and Quality in Education. He is Member of American Society for Mechanical Engineers, Senior Member of American Society for Quality, Fellow Member of Institution of Engineers (India) & Past President of Haryana State Chapter and Life Member of Indian Society for Technical Education.
Vice Chancellor, Gujarat University
Dr. Neerja A Gupta is presently working as the Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Formerly Dr. Gupta successfully shouldered the responsibility as Vice-Chancellor of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, M.P., India. She has also worked as Principal of Bhavan’s College, Gujarat and has been instrumental in the development the Department of Foreign Studies at Gujarat University Ahmedabad.
She was a member of the Inter-Religious Dialogue Committee constituted by the revered Pope and spokesperson of the Citizenship Amendment Act. Prof. Gupta is the recipient of several prestigious awards: Bharat Kirtiman Padak 2023 from World Books of Records, London, ‘‘Aaj Ka Karmveer Award -2022, National Talent search Award 2020, Bharat Manthan Award-2020, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Rashtriya Samman for Contribution in Diaspora Studies by Indian Political Science Association.
Additional Chief Secretary, Social Welfare Dept & Minority Welfare & Muslim WAQF Govt of Uttar Pradesh
Smt. Monika S Garg IAS (Uttar Pradesh 1989) presently Additional Chief Secretary, Social Welfare Dept & Minority Welfare & Muslim WAQF, Govt of Uttar Pradesh. She was earlier posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Govt of Uttar Pradesh.
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
IFS (Retd)
Amb T P Sreenivasan is a retired Indian Foreign Services Officer and Adjunct Professor of Eminence at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai. He served the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India for 37 years and was the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Vienna; Governor for India of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, and Ambassador to Austria and Slovenia.
He was a member of the National Security Advisory Board of the Government of India and was the Vice-Chairman and Executive Head of the Kerala State Higher Education Council. He was a Visiting Fellow on Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution, in Washington. Adjunct Professor of Eminence at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai.
VC, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai
Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai is the Vice-Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai. He has been in teaching, research and educational administration for 45 years in the Public Higher education system, and thereafter 7 years in the Private Higher education system in the country
President AIU & VC, USTM, Meghalaya
Prof G D Sharma is the President of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, and Vice-Chancellor, of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya. A very acclaimed Academic of the Country, Prof Sharma held many important positions apart from being Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nagaland, Assam University, and Bilaspur University.
He is a Fellow of Royal Society, London, UK & INSA, India under an exchange programme. He is conferred with Dr Narsimhan Medal Award by Indian Phytopathol. Society, Rashtriya Ratna Award by International Study Center, DEED Award by Confederation of Indian Universities, Birbal Sahni Award by Indian Botanical Society, Education Excellency Award by CCLP Worldwide, Vidya Ratan National Samman by All India Higher Research Sanskrit, Raebareli, Outstanding Educational Contribution Award by CMAI, New Delhi.
Secretary General, AIU
Dr Pankaj Mittal's extensive three-decade journey in Higher Education is marked by outstanding achievements in policy planning and management. Noteworthy accolades include the Fulbright Nehru Scholarship grant, the President of India Award for Digital Initiatives in Higher Education, and an Honorary Doctorate-D Litt (HonorisCausa) from Karnataka State Women’s University.
As Chief Commissioner (Guides) of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Mittal has garnered recognition for her leadership, receiving awards like the Qimpro Gold Standard Award for leadership in Education in 2018.
