• Home
  • Officers of the University

Officers of the University

officers of the university

officers of the university

Gurmit Singh
Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh

Hon'ble Governor of Uttarakhand

Dr-Vijay-Dhasmana01
Dr. Vijay Dhasmana

The President

rajendar-dobal
Dr. Rajendra Dobhal

Vice Chancellor

Prof.-Dr-A.-K.-Deorari.webp
Prof. (Dr.) A.K.Deorari

Pro Vice Chancellor

Dr A Shariff
Dr. A. Shariff

Dean HIMS

Sanchita Pugazhendi
Prof. (Dr) Sanchita Pugazhendi

Principal HCN

Prof. (Dr) Sanjay Gupta
Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Gupta

Dean SBS

Prof. (Dr) Pramod Kumar
Prof. (Dr.) Pramod Kumar

Dean SST

Dr. Preeti Kothiyal-Inner
Prof. (Dr.) Preeti Kothiyal

Dean SPS

Prof Rudra Bhandari
Dr. Rudra Bhandari

Principal SYS

Challa Venkateswar
Commander Challa Venketeswar (Retd.)

Registrar

CA. Avnish Shalya
CA. Avnish Shalya

Finance Officer

Prof. (Dr) Archana Prakash
Prof. (Dr.) Archana Prakash

Controller of Examination

Yogendra-Singh
Prof. Yogendra Singh

Chief Librarian

Vinit-Mehrotra1
Dr. Vinit Mehrotra

Director Student Affairs & Welfare

Dr.-Bindu-Dey
Dr Bindu Dey

Director Research

Yogendra-Singh-1
Dr Pradeep K. Varshney

Director IQAC

Yogendra-Singh-2
Dr Amjad Husain

Director HCIE

   Admissions Form         

Admission Open For 2025

×
The Visitor

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmit Singh, Hon'ble Governor of Uttarakhand,

Known for his scholarly acumen on defense matters. He has studied at National Defense University, Washington and National Defence University, Taipei, Taiwan. He was also a research scholar on the India-China Boundary issue at the Institute of Chinese Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. He has wide range of expertise in human resource management, information technology, legal matters, etc.

From being an Infantry Company Commander he rose to the level of Deputy Chief of Army Staff. He was a part of numerous expert groups, represented the country on many occasions, participated in numerous talks regarding border issues with China besides visiting Beijing, Shanghai and other cities of China for Talks.

During 40 years of service in the Army, he has been honored with four Presidential Awards and two commendations by the Chief of Army Staff. He has also recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

His personal philosophy is based on the path laid down by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s ‘Sach Khand Vase Nirankar and ‘Nishchiya Kar Apni Jeet Karon‘.

The President

Dr Vijay Dhasmana

The President of SRHU (SRHU) has had a prolific career spanning decades where he has been at the helm of affairs in different capacities ever since the institution’s inception and subsequent growth.

He was Vice Chancellor of SRHU from April 2013 to March 2023, and of HIHT University from 2007 to 2013.

He demonstrated a strong academic and leadership record as Vice Chancellor. And now, with his deep understanding of the educational landscape of the state of Uttarakhand and India, is poised for enhanced and crucial functions.

Besides being a member of Presidential Body of Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) he is also a Chair-person of Swami Rama Foundation of USA, President of Swami Rama NishkaamKarmyoga Trust, General Secretary of Sadhana Mandir Trust and many more. He is also Ex-Chairman of CII Uttarakhand.

A Ph.D from Rohilkhand University, Bareilly and Masters in Mathematics from HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal, he also attained his Masters in Computer Sciences from University of London, United Kingdom.

Dr Dhasmana embarked his professional journey as the Treasurer of Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust and now has more than 30 years of varied experience in the field of Finance, Strategy, Administration and Education.

He possesses a strong academics and leadership record as the Vice Chancellor. Under his able leadership several departments and educational programs for medical and non-medical professionals were introduced in the state of Uttarakhand.

His deep concern about the youth migration in the hill villages of Uttarakhand, made him set up School for Vocational Studies and Skill Development at SRHU, with an aim to equip the youth of Uttarakhand with entrepreneurial skills and make them financially sustainable. He is a catalyst of “Homestay” Entrepreneur Development Program in Private University across India.

Dr Dhasmana’s undying commitment for transforming rural lives and social service made him spearhead rural development initiatives in the field of health, education, adolescent, water & sanitation, livelihood& development, relief & rehabilitation including differently abled covering over 2000 villages in Uttarakhand and UP.

He is also recipient of many prestigious awards including ‘Dr B.C. Roy Award’ in the field of Management – 2001, ‘Uttarakhand Ratna Award’ for his extraordinary work for the people of Uttarakhand, ‘Garhwal Vibhuti Awardard’ for Social Service - 2007, and ‘Vice Chancellor of the Year 2021 Award’ – 2021. Gadh Gaurav Samman - 2022 for providing outstanding Healthcare services.

Vice Chancellor
Dr Rajendra Dobhal

A known Intellectual Property Professional, currently is the Vice Chancellor of SRHU and Chairman of National Academy of Sciences India, Uttarakhand Chapter.

Formerly, he was the Director, Strategic Planning Research and Development, SRHU after superannuating from the post of the Director General, Uttarakhand Council of Science & Technology, Govt. of Uttarakhand. He had many other positions during his carrier like Chairman and Managing Director of National Research Development Corporation, Govt. of India; Director and Senior Scientific Advisor Biotechnology; Director, Space Application Centre; Director, Science Education and Research Centre, Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of Uttarakhand. He was also Technical Advisor to the Director General and Scientific Officer to the Director General, Madhya Pradesh State Council of Science & Technology, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal.

A fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, he is a Council Member of UGC- Department of Atomic Energy Research Centre, Govt. of India; Counsellor Mountain Initiative; Member of Global Technology Watch Group and other various committees of the Govt. of India and others.

He has credit to have shaped Science & Technology infrastructure in Uttarakhand and AI based Science City Fifth in India. Dr Dobhal, a widely travelled scientist has monitored over 425 research & development projects, 45 technical reports, 15 books and 175 research papers in national & international journals.

He has various awards to his credit like Royal Australian Chemical Institute Award, International Commonwealth Youth Silver Award, Uttarakhand Ratna, Uttarakhand Gaurav and Pride of Uttarakhand.

Pro Vice Chancellor

Prof (Dr) A. K. Deorari

MD FAMS, who was heading Department of Pediatrics at AIIMS, New Delhi is well known for his contributions to facility based neonatology in India and SE Asia. He was instrumental in conceptualizing uniform structured teaching aids for pre-service and in-service and steered development of webinars/AV lectures/teaching aids for Newborn Health. As lead person of WHO CC at AIIMS, he steered development of an online e-learning platform on Newborn Health for professionals on Moodle learning management system (LMS). In a first for Asia, he created innovative Apps on smartphones for management of ‘sick newborn.’ He assisted GOI and UNICEF in operationalization of Newborn Care. He has served in various capacities in India and abroad e.g. Consultant with WHO/UNDP /UNICEF in establishing facility based newborn care in DPR Korea, Srilanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal & Timor Leste, Technical expert with WHO HQs for ENAP metrics, UNICEF HQs and WHO Quality of Care Global Network, etc. He has also helped Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Iran and Mauritius in operationalization of CPAP & Neonatal Ventilation services. He has 250 publications, six books and multiple awards & orations. He was Chairman of UG curriculum & Skill Lab at AIIMS, New Delhi. Besides, he has steered quality improvement initiatives in India & South Asia and is developing Standard Treatment workflow for Newborn packages for Ayushmann Bharat.

Dean

Dr A. Shariff

Qualifications:MBBS, M.S. Anatomy

Teaching and Research Experience: 35 years

Publications: 3 Selected Scholarly Publications

Patent: 3

Special Interest: Clinical Ecotoxicology, The Enteric Nervous System (ENS, Digital Health & Telemedicine, Developmental Biology

Membership:

  • Life Member, Anatomical Society of India (ASI)
  • Life Member, Telemedicine Society of India (TSI)
  • Expert Policy & Governance Roles

Awards:

  • Promising Tech Guru in Indian Healthcare: Recognized by the Economic Times for his leadership in "Celebrating the Champions of Digital Health Excellence."
  • COVID-19 Pandemic Leadership: As the Nodal Person for the Regional Resource Centre (RRC) at AIIMS, he coordinated round-the-clock digital support for physicians nationwide and implemented digital infrastructure in record time to ensure the continuity of medical education.

Principal – Himalayan College of Nursing (HCN)

Prof (Dr) Sanchita Pugazhendi

Prof (Dr) Sanchita Pugazhendi, Professor cum Principal, Himalayan College of Nursing, is a doctorate in nursing from Manipal University, Karnataka. She holds a Master’s Degree in Community Health Nursing from Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, under Dr MGR Medical University, Tamil Nadu and B.Sc. (Hons) Nursing from Calcutta University, West Bengal. In her three decades of experience in nursing discipline, she has worked in various capacities including Professor & Dean in Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal University, Bangalore. She is a life member of Society of Midwives, India, Trained Nurses Association of India & Indian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery.

In addition to her academic roles, Dr Sanchita Pugazhendi has made significant contributions to nursing research and community health initiatives. She is an active researcher with numerous publications in national and international journals such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Her expertise has been acknowledged through various awards, including the Best Public Health Nurse Award by the Rotary Club of Manipal Hills and recognition for her research work, securing the Best Research Paper Award and other accolades.

Her guidance has shaped many Ph.D. scholars and postgraduate nursing students, and she frequently serves as a resource person and chairperson at national and international conferences and workshops.

Her impressive career is a testament to her dedication to advancing the nursing profession and improving community health outcomes.

Principal – School of Bio Sciences (SBS)

Prof (Dr) Sanjay Gupta

Prof (Dr) Sanjay Gupta was instrumental in setting up the School Bio Sciences at SRHU. He is a Doctorate in Biotechnology from IIT Roorkee and has a collective experience of 30+ years in academics, research & industry and was also the Head of the Department of Biotechnology & Biochemistry, SBS University, Dehradun.

He was associated with R & D work for the development of Industrial Bioreactors & Bioprocesses in Fermentation & Industrial Effluent Treatment at VAM Organic Chemicals Limited. He was a Member task force for HRD in Biotechnology in Uttarakhand (2005) Government of Uttarakhand. In addition, he is a key resource person and expert in workshops of U-COST, USERC, Uttarakhand Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) & Sparsh Ganga Board (Govt. of Uttarakhand).

With over 125 publications to his credit, in international and national journals, he has supervised 18 PhDs and completed 8 sponsored research projects of UCOST/UCB/DST. Currently, he is working on 5 sponsored research projects of UCOST/UCB, Govt of Uttarakhand. He has also edited 3 books and a number of patents.

Principal – School of Science & Technology (SST)

Prof (Dr) Pramod Kumar

Prof (Dr) Pramod Kumar is an accomplished academic leader with over 24 years of experience in the field. Earlier He was Dean Academic affairs at Glocal University in Saharanpur, UP, where he as been since September 2022. Prior to this, he held the position of Dean of Computer Science and Engineering at Krishna Engineering College in Ghaziabad and served as the Director of Tula's Institute in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Prof. Pramod Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, which he earned in 2011, as well as an M.Tech in CSE from 2006. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and an Ex-Joint Secretary of the IEEE U.P. section. Through his research, he has made significant contributions to the fields of Computer Networks, IoT, and Machine Learning. He is the author or co-author of more than 70 research papers and has edited four books. He has also supervised and co-supervised several M.Tech and Ph.D. students. He has organized more than 12 IEEE international conferences and four Springer conferences both in India and abroad, which have made substantial contributions to the body of knowledge within the field. He has published over 100 patents, organized more than 15 Faculty Development Programs and workshops..

Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Prof (Dr) Preeti Kothiyal

Dr. Preeti Kothiyal is an accomplished academic administrator & researcher with more than 29 years of experience. She has 118 publications and 2 Patents on her name. Her career journey includes varied & dynamic roles in education Sector. Prior to joining us She was Vice Chancellor at Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, Dehradun.

Dr. Preeti Kothiyal completed her PhD from HNB Garhwal University (Central University) Srinagar, Garhwal and Postgraduation in Pharmacy from Hamdard College of Pharmacy, Delhi University.

Dr. Preeti Kothiyal is member of many Pharmaceutical Associations in India. She was Uttarakhand State Nominee to Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi for 6 years.

Principal & Professor

Dr Rudra Bhandari

Qualifications: M.Sc., NET, PhD in Yoga and Health

Total Experience: ≥15 years in university teaching, training, research, and administration.

Expertise: Yoga Therapy, Research Methods, Mind-body-spirit practices, Psychology, Interventional & Theory Building Research

Membership: American Psychological Association, Editorial Member of Wiley’s Q1 Journal, “Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies”

Indexed Publications: 30

Guided PhDs: 05

Registrar

Commander Challa Venkateswar (Retd)

Commander Challa Venkateswar (Retd) holds a postgraduate degree in Solid State Physics from Agra University, Agra, and another postgraduate degree in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi. He has been a member of the Institute of Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering (IETE) since 2000.

Commissioned by the President of India in the Indian Navy as an Education Officer with the rank of Sub-Lieutenant on 17 August 1987, he served for 23 years, rising to the rank of Commander. During his tenure, he trained sailors and officers of the Indian Navy and those from friendly countries, and held various administrative positions, including Joint Director, Naval Education at the Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence (Navy), Government of India.

Commander Venkateswar has been commended by the Chief of the Naval Staff in 2000 and received commendations twice from the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, in 1991 and 1999, for exemplary services.

He has over eight years of experience as Deputy Registrar in Higher Educational Institutions such as the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (Deemed to be University), Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (Centrally Funded Technical Institution), and the University of Hyderabad (Central University). He also served as the Registrar of the National Sanskrit University (Central University), Tirupati before joining as the Registrar of SRHU, Dehradun.

Finance Officer

CA  Avnish Shalya

CA Avnish Shalya has been associated with SRHU and Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (Promoting Society of SRHU) since 2009. He is a commerce graduate from Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University Agra and Fellow member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) a largest professional body of Chartered Accountants in the world with a strong tradition of service to the Indian economy in the interest of public at large.

He has completed his Chartered Accountancy in 2006 from Delhi and he is having experience of more than 22 years in the field of Financial Management, Costing, Budgeting Forecasting, Taxation (Direct and Indirect) and Auditing, during his professional career he has conducted various assignments of Statutory Audit, Tax Audit and Internal Audits of different manufacturing and service originations’ including PSU and also conducted various system/process implementation audit of various manufacturing plants of corporate houses.

Controller of Examination

Prof (Dr) Archana Prakash

Prof (Dr) Archana Prakash joined Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences in the year 1997. Her working experience of more than 24 years is a blend of teaching, research, clinical laboratory work and administration. She has worked as departmental coordinator for undergraduate Medical program and has been actively involved in board of studies / curriculum development programs of various Universities primarily in north India. She is a life member of Association of Clinical Biochemist of India, Indian Science congress association and Indian Immunology society. She has served as Deputy Controller of Examinations more than 15 years also served as Head Ph.D. and Research Cell of SRHU.

Chief Librarian

Prof Yogendra Singh

Prof Yogendra Singh has more than four decades of experience in Librarianship including about 20 years as Librarian IIT Roorkee and twelve years as Scientist in DRDO. He has won many awards including National Merit Scholar, Gold Medal in B.Lib.Sc., Fulbright Fellowship to University of Maryland, Best Librarian Award of various Library associations. He has been chairman/expert in many national and UGC bodies and also on the Library Advisory Boards of several reputed international publishers. He has 25 research papers, and three edited volumes to his credit. He has organized seven national and international conferences/workshops and 42 training workshops besides a number of bibliographic and non-bibliographic automation projects.

Director- Students Affairs & Welfare
Dr Vinit Mehrotra

Brief Biodata: Dr Vinit Mehrotra completed his PhD at S. N. Medical College, Agra, and is currently a Professor in the Biochemistry Department at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun. He has demonstrated exemplary performance in academia, and in recognition of this, he received the Best Teacher Award from HIMS, Dehradun. He has earned accolades for presenting research papers at numerous international and national venues, including the FIMSA Congress in Thailand, Dermatology Congress in Greece, BAD in the UK, Allergology and Immunology in Korea, Clinical Chemistry in Japan, Biochemistry in India, IGCS in Germany, and others. He served as the State Representative from 2009 to 2024 for the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India. He has been awarded a research grant by the state government and is the Principal Investigator on a major project titled “Estimation of Vitamin D associated with lifestyle among pregnant women in Dehradun district.” A new slogan has been promoted among pregnant women: ‘BECOME D ADVOCATE, DON’T BE DEFICIENT, SHARE RESULTS INTO PRACTICE.’ He has held various administrative posts: Secretary of the Uttaranchal Council of Entrance Examination (Unaided Medical Colleges), Secretary of the Postgraduate Entrance Examination at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun Tabulator for MBBS and Postgraduate courses appointed by H N B Garhwal University, Coordinator of the National Service Scheme, and a member of various committees (Biomedical, Scientific Teaching, Raging, Examination, etc.) at different universities. He also served as the Registrar of Swami Rama Himalayan University and is currently working as the Nodal Officer for NEET (PG/UG).

Director Research
Dr Bindu Dey

SRHU
Research & Development Cell
(Former Secretary, Technology Development Board & Retd Adviser, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India)

Email: director.research@srhu.edu.in

Profile: Dr Bindu Dey has 30 years of experience working with the Government of India, focusing on Research and Development, IP, licensing, Technology Development & Commercialization. With a background in biotechnology, she specialises in clinical trials of early, middle, & late-stage vaccines/diagnostics/devices. Her expertise extends to Infectious Disease Biology and Chronic Disease Biology. Dr Dey has experience in different investment models, creating start-ups, and establishing partnerships between industry and academia. As Secretary TDB, she contributed to the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative and "Make-in-India" activities, focusing on solutions to social problems through innovation and local entrepreneurship. At SRHU, she is involved in establishing Centres of Excellence in Neuroscience, Antimicrobial Resistance, Regeneration Medicine, Holistic Health, Cancer Biomarkers, Food Sciences and Advanced Tissue Culture through in-house R&D and partnerships with national and international organisations

Qualification: PhD in Zoology (University of Delhi) M.Phil (University of Delhi) M. Sc Zoology (University of Delhi) B.Sc. Hons Zoology (University of Delhi)

Publications: 50; Policy Documents: 15

Director, Academic Processes & Quality

Dr Pradeep K Varshney

Dr Pradeep K Varshney did his Ph.D. from Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi University in 1997. He has 32 years of academic, research, innovation and administrative experience while working with Delhi College of Engineering (DCE-now DTU), University of Delhi, National Physical Laboratory (NPL), National Taiwan University (NTU), Taipei, LG-Elite Company, South Korea, CITM Faridabad, MRIIRS, Faridabad, MRU Faridabad and CGC, Mohali.

Dr Varshney has worked under different capacities as Dean School of Sciences, Dean Research, Dean Doctoral Programme, Director-MRIIRC and NBA & NAAC coordinator. He has successfully completed two Govt. projects sanctioned from AICTE, New Delhi as Principal Investigator. Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India given a chance to Convene Projects Screening Meetings of Ministry of Energy Storage (MES) in 2017-18 and SUNIL Scheme of SEED Division in April – June 2023.

He has been granted/published 04 Patents in USA (2020), UK (2004) and India (2002) including 01 Copyright (2022) and filed 04 Patents in India (2021, 2022). He has more than 90 research papersin National / International Journals including Conferences /Seminars. He has guided 05 Ph.D. scholars and 05 PG students work for their dissertation work and 04 are pursuing their Ph.D. work under his guidance. He has mentored 03 startups of faculty and students and Editor-in-chief of “Allurance” annual magazine of Research & Innovation achievements.

Dr Varshney has received fellowships-JRF, RAship from CSIR and received awards from National Physical Laboratory on “Technology Day” (2004) for the grant of Patent from UK and International Scientist Award 2020 on Engineering, Science and Medicine.

He was a member of Advisory Board of NewGen Innovation Entrepreneurship Development Cell (IEDC), member of Screening Committee and Review Committee of startups, member of Screening Committee for Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar, Ministry of Regional Labour Institute, Faridabad (2017-2020) and presently member of different committees at other Institutions.

Director HCIE
Dr Amjad Husain

Dr Amjad Husain currently serves as the Director of the Himalayan Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HCIE) and as a Professor of Translational Research at the Cancer Research Institute, SRHU. He is also a co-founder of Canfinis Therapeutics and Ulo Labs, and holds board positions. Before his current roles, he was Senior Vice President of R&D and Business Development at Avesthagen Limited Bangalore, and General Manager of Research and Development at Biocon Biologics in Bangalore from 2022 to 2023. He has previously served as CEO of the Innovation and Incubation Centre for Entrepreneurship (IICE) and Founder Head/Coordinator of the Centre for Science and Society at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal from 2019 to 2022. Prior to that, he was the Director of Research at Glocal University and CEO of Glocal Technology Park from 2017 to 2019. He has also served as a Group Leader and senior scientist of Clinical Translational Science and Precision Oncology at Cellworks Research in Bangalore from 2015 to 2017. Earlier in his career, Dr Husain was a Scientist at Harvard University from 2014 to 2015 and a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University from 2010 to 2013, focusing on Bioengineering and Translational Cancer Research. During his time at Harvard, he commercialised a high-throughput drug screening platform through a Boston-based startup and advanced two anti cancer drug molecules to clinical trials with Eli Lilly & Company.

Dr Husain holds a PhD in Biotechnology from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and JNU New Delhi, and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee. He also completed a Short Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2012 and the Healthcare Commercialization Program at Harvard Medical School in 2011.

His other achievements include publishing 35 papers in prominent international journals, delivering talks at conferences across the globe, presenting at TEDx and serving on the editorial boards of various journals and advisory to multiple companies. Dr Husain is passionate about entrepreneurship, traveling, and mentoring students”

Nursing Advisor at Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust

Dr. Kathleen M. McKeehan

Dr. Kathleen M. McKeehan is a highly regarded American nursing leader and researcher who has dedicated decades to advancing nursing education and clinical practices at the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) and Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) in Dehradun, India. Serving as the Nursing Advisor, she has been instrumental in shaping the Himalayan College of Nursing into a center of excellence, emphasizing the integration of compassionate care with modern medical technology.

Dr. McKeehan’s academic background is extensive, including a Ph.D. in nursing from the Case Western Reserve University and post-doctoral research at Ohio State University. Before her long-term commitment to the Himalayan Institute, she held prestigious academic positions, such as the Dorothy Rider Pool Professorship at Allentown College. Her research expertise spans oncology nursing, continuing education strategies, and innovation diffusion in healthcare settings.

At HIHT, she is a central figure in tradition and mentorship, often leading the symbolic Lamp Lighting and Oath Ceremony for new nursing students. Her work focuses on fostering a vibrant research culture and ensuring that nursing curricula meet international standards while remaining rooted in the visionary humanitarian principles of the institute's founder, H.H. Dr. Swami Rama.

Former Director, LBSNAA

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (IAS Retd.)

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (IAS Retd.) is a distinguished former Indian Administrative Service officer (1985 batch, West Bengal cadre), historian, and author. He is most widely recognised for his tenure as the Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) from 2019 until his retirement in March 2021. Throughout his 36-year bureaucratic career, he served in high-profile roles, including Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal and Secretary of Industrial Development in Uttarakhand.

Since retiring, Dr. Chopra has emerged as a prominent literary figure and public intellectual. He is the Founder and Festival Director of Valley of Words, an international literature and arts festival based in Dehradun. An acclaimed author, his works include We, the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India’s Internal Boundaries (2022) and The Great Conciliator: Lal Bahadur Shastri and the Transformation of India (2025).

He holds a PhD in Management and has been a fellow at prestigious institutions like Cornell University and the World Bank. Currently, he continues to contribute as a columnist for ThePrint and serves as a Senior Fellow in Contemporary History at the Prime Ministers' Memorial and Library.

FRSB, FRSB

Prof. Graham Roy Ball

Prof. Graham Roy Ball, FRSB, is a distinguished expert in bioinformatics and computational systems biology. He currently serves as a Professor at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), where he is the Director of the Medical Technology Research Centre. He also holds a significant role as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Intelligent OMICS Ltd, a company specializing in AI-driven biomedical discovery.

Prof. Ball's work focuses on applying Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and machine learning to solve complex biological problems. His research spans cancer systems biology, drug discovery, and the development of "molecular digital twins" for disease states. He is particularly noted for his work on the Nottingham Prognostic Index Plus (NPI+), a system that uses biomarkers to improve breast cancer patient stratification.

Before joining ARU, he was a Professor of Bioinformatics at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) for over two decades, where he led the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre’s biostatistics efforts. He has published more than 280 journal papers and holds multiple patents in the field of AI and omics data analysis. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) and serves on the editorial boards of prominent journals like Proteomics.

Prof. & Researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Vinay Nadkarni

Dr. Vinay Nadkarni, MD, MS, is a world-renowned leader in pediatric critical care and resuscitation science. He serves as a Professor and Endowed Chair at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He is the founding director of the CHOP Academy for Resuscitation of Children and the Center for Simulation, Advanced Education and Innovation.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Nadkarni has served as President of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (2023-2024) and Co-Chair of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). His research focuses on advancing CPR quality, sepsis management, and pediatric life support, contributing to over 850 peer-reviewed publications. He has also been a key figure in global health initiatives, including the ABC Stop the Bleed program in India and missions with Operation Smile.

Dr. Nadkarni has received numerous accolades, such as the American Heart Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the AAP Distinguished Career Award. He continues to mentor over 150 clinician-scientists while leading international efforts to strengthen the "chain of survival" for critically ill children worldwide.

Former Director General, UCOST

Mr. Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal

Mr. Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal is a highly accomplished civil servant and technocrat who served an illustrious 29-year tenure in the Industries Department of the Government of Uttarakhand. While he is often associated with leadership in state councils, he is most distinguished for his role as the Director of Industries. During his service, he was instrumental in positioning Uttarakhand as a leader in the MSME and Startup sectors.

A leather technology engineer from HBTU Kanpur with a Master’s in Economics, Nautiyal’s career spanned the private sector, public sector banking, and the Ministry of MSME. He is credited with leading the state to secure the first position in the North India Geographical Indication (GI) festival in 2022, successfully promoting indigenous products like Munsiyari Rajma and Ringal Craft.

Currently, he serves as a member of the Pravasi Uttarakhandi Cell in the Chief Minister’s Office, where he continues to facilitate investment and entrepreneurship for the state’s diaspora. His proactive approach has made him a respected figure in Indian industrial circles, recently earning him recognition at the Raj Bhavan for his lifelong contributions.

Former Fellow University of Liverpool, United Kingdom

Prof. Prabhu Narayan Mishra

Prof. Prabhu Narayan Mishra is a renowned Management Guru and academician with over 40 years of experience in teaching, research, and consulting. He is particularly recognized for his tenure as a Fellow in the Department of Economics & Accounting at the University of Liverpool, UK, where he served from 1996 to 1997. His international academic footprint also includes serving as a Senior Visiting Faculty at Tulane University, USA.

In India, Prof. Mishra has held several prestigious positions, including Director of the Institute of Management Studies (IMS) and officiating Vice Chancellor of Devi Ahilya University, Indore. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Allahabad and is widely known for pioneering the study of Indian Ethos in Management, blending ancient Vedic wisdom with modern business theories.

A prolific scholar, he has supervised numerous doctoral students and authored several books and research papers. Prof. Mishra is also a dedicated philanthropist, serving as the Founder President of organizations like the Shri Krishna Foundation and Utkarsha, which focus on spiritual wisdom and community development. His multifaceted career is marked by prestigious awards, including the Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship and the United Nations Fellowship.

Ex Director, National JALMA

Prof. Kiran Katoch

Prof. Kiran Katoch is a highly respected academic researcher and medical scientist who served as the Director of the National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases (NJILOMD) in Agra. With over four decades of experience, she has been a leading figure in the research and treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis in India. Her work is characterized by a unique focus on bridging clinical medicine with laboratory research to improve patient outcomes in mycobacterial infections.

A prolific scientist, Prof. Katoch has authored or co-authored over 150 research publications in prestigious national and international journals. Her seminal contributions include studies on the efficacy of multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy and the investigation of cardiovascular involvement in leprosy patients. For her outstanding research, she was honored with the Dr. C. G. S. Iyer Oration Award in 1989.

Beyond her administrative and research roles, she has served as the Editor of the Indian Journal of Leprosy and the President of the Tuberculosis Association of India (TAI). Even after her tenure as Director, she remains active as an ICMR Distinguished Scientist Chair, continuing to advocate for integrated health systems and innovative research to solve local health challenges.

Executive-in-Residence, S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research

Mr. Prabhat Pani

Mr. Prabhat Pani is a distinguished corporate leader and academician with over 40 years of experience, currently serving as an Executive in Residence and Executive Director of the Centre for Impact in Sustainable Development at SPJIMR, Mumbai. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, he began his career with the Tata Administrative Services (TAS) and has held numerous leadership roles across the Tata Group.

His corporate journey includes serving as the CEO of Ginger Hotels (Roots Corporation Ltd) and as the Executive Director of Taj SATS Air Catering. He also spent significant time in the telecom sector, holding senior roles at Tata Teleservices, Airtel, and BPL Cellular. Prior to his academic transition, he served as Head of Partnerships & Technology at Tata Trusts, where he led large-scale social impact initiatives.

At SPJIMR, Pani focuses on Sustainable Development and social sector interventions, bridging the gap between corporate efficiency and developmental needs. He is also a Senior Advisor at The Conference Board and continues to mentor social sector professionals. His work remains centered on building institutional capacity and leveraging technology for broad-based community impact.

Media Executive & Board Member, Times Group

Mr. A.P. Parigi

Mr. A.P. Parigi, is a veteran leader in the Indian media, entertainment, and telecommunications sectors with over 40 years of experience. He is most widely recognized as the Co-Founder of Radio Mirchi, where he served as the Managing Director and CEO of Entertainment Network India Ltd. (ENIL). Under his leadership, Radio Mirchi grew into India's largest private FM radio network, fundamentally changing the country's audio landscape.

Throughout his career, Parigi has held several high-profile roles, including Group CEO of Network18, CEO of BPL Mobile, and MD & CEO of Eros International Media. His strategic vision also spearheaded the Times Group’s entry into the Out-of-Home (OOH) media business. Beyond corporate leadership, he has served on the boards of major entities like Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (The Times of India) and has been an advisor to global institutions such as the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

An alumnus of the Delhi School of Economics and the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi, Parigi was the first non-American to receive the Rensselaer Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2009. Today, he continues to mentor next-generation leaders and advise organisations on growth, corporate governance, and digital transformation.

Former Director, IHBT

Dr. Sanjay Kumar

Dr. Sanjay Kumar, FNA, is a distinguished agricultural biotechnologist and the former Director of the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT). Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), where he oversees the selection of top-tier scientific talent for India’s agricultural research sector. His leadership is defined by a commitment to converting high-end biotechnology into sustainable livelihoods for farmers in the Himalayan region.

During his tenure at CSIR-IHBT, Dr. Kumar achieved major milestones, including the historic introduction of Heeng (asafoetida) and monk fruit cultivation in India. His research spans plant molecular biology and genomics, specifically focusing on how Himalayan flora adapts to extreme environments. A fellow of all three major Indian science academies (FNA, FNASc, and FNAAS), he has published over 120 research papers. His work continues to play a vital role in strengthening India's bio-economy and ensuring long-term food security through innovation.

Pro-Chancellor, Perdana University, Malaysia

Dr. Mohan Swami 

Dr. Mohan Swami is a distinguished physician, entrepreneur, and educational visionary who currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Perdana University, Malaysia. A graduate of Mysore University, India, he began his medical career in 1978. He initially gained prominence in Sabah, where he established the largest private medical group practice, laying the foundation for his extensive career in healthcare management and corporate leadership.

Dr. Swami is widely recognized as the driving force behind the establishment of Perdana University in 2011. Under his leadership, the institution launched as a landmark public-private partnership, collaborating with world-class entities like the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Beyond academia, he is the Executive Chairman of Chase Perdana Sdn Bhd and has held significant leadership roles in various multinational corporations across the healthcare, property, and hospitality sectors.

In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Swami is a deeply spiritual individual. He serves as the President of the AHYMSIN (Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International) and Chancellor of Swami Rama Himalayan University. For his immense contributions to education and the Malaysian economy, he was conferred the title of Tan Sri. He also serves as the Honorary Consul of Botswana in Malaysia, bridging international relations through diplomacy and philanthropy.

Mahamandleshwar Juna Akhara

Swami Avdheshanand

Swami Avdheshanand is one of India’s most influential spiritual leaders and the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara, the largest order of Hindu monks. Born on November 24, 1962, in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, he displayed a profound spiritual inclination from childhood. Seeking higher truths, he renounced worldly life at a young age to practice intense meditation and austerity as a hermit in the Himalayas.

His teachings are rooted in Advaita Vedanta, focusing on self-realization, universal brotherhood, and the harmony of all religions. Beyond his role as a monastic leader, he is a globally respected philosopher who has addressed the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, advocating for global peace and environmental sustainability.

As the founder of Prabhu Premi Sangh, he oversees extensive social welfare projects, including healthcare initiatives, educational programs for the underprivileged, and environmental conservation efforts like the "Green Kumbh." A prolific author and orator, his discourses reach millions via television and digital platforms. Known for his serene demeanor and intellectual depth, Swami Ji continues to bridge the gap between ancient Vedic wisdom and modern global challenges, guiding seekers toward a life of purpose and spiritual clarity.