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Lt. Gen. M.D. Venkatesh
Vice Chancellor, Manipal University

n alumnus of Mumbai
University with distinguished
A38 years of service in the
medical corps of the Indian Army,
Lt. Gen. (Retd.) M.D. Venkatesh
was appointed Vice Chancellor of
the Manipal Academy of Higher
Education (estb. 1953 and awarded
private deemed university status in
1993) in 2020.

MAHE goals for 2047. Recognized as an
Institution of Eminence (IoE) by the
Union education ministry, MAHE
has prepared a bold IoE Strategic
Plan, to be ranked among the Top
Dr. Madhu Chitkara 100 universities worldwide. This
goal rests on five pillars designed
to propel MAHE towards global
programmes in AI, data science, has registered over 4,000 patents. excellence:
design thinking, digital business, A good example of our commitment • Excellence in education through
fintech, and sustainability. We follow to R&D is exemplified by a project curricular design, expanded post-
an outcomes-based education model to reduce the pollution fallout of graduate and Ph D enrolment,
with hands-on projects, live case annual stubble burning by Punjab strengthening faculty capacity, up-
studies, industry internships, and farmers. I am pleased to inform you grading student support systems and
real-time challenges. Moreover, life that our researchers have developed infrastructure, and developing glob-
skills education — communication, sustainable technologies to convert ally recognized academic programs
ethics, collaboration, and adaptabil- agricultural stubble into marketable in line with the National Education
ity — is integrated into the curricula products which will significantly Policy 2020 and Viksit Bharat.
and entrepreneurship and innova- reduce environmental pollution in • Exemplary research & innovation
tion are part of every study program. Delhi and Punjab. Research con- by enhancing research capabilities
ducted in Chitkara universities is not through publishing high-impact
Bridging academia-industry gap. Our merely academic, it directly benefits papers, securing R&D funding, and
relationship with Indian industry society. establishing interdisciplinary and
is perhaps our greatest strength. innovation centres.
We have built strong connections Prescription for India achieving $30 • Expanding reach and interna-
with blue-chip companies in diverse trillion GDP by 2047. This requires tionalisation by engaging in global
sectors including IT, consulting, investment in our high-potential networking, increasing the number
knowledge management, healthcare, human resource to develop inno- of international students, expanding
manufacturing, retail, and hospital- vation capabilities and new ideas. campuses, enhancing global academ-
ity. These companies are actively Therefore, education must become ic mobility, and promoting mean-
involved with our curriculum design future-ready, focused on developing ingful engagement with prestigious
and student internships. This deep students’ digital skills, critical think- universities worldwide.
relationship is testified by our excel- ing, and entrepreneurship. Second, • Effective engagement with alumni
lent placement record. We host we need strong industry-academia by collaborating actively with busi-
arguably India’s premier incubation partnerships to develop a highly nesses and organizations to facilitate
centres in which start-ups benefit skilled workforce. Third, robust internships, mentorships, and collab-
from mentorship of over 70 experi- support for start-ups and MSMEs orative projects, especially of alumni.
enced industry veterans. through funding, mentorship and • Enabling sustainability by improv-
digital resources. Fourth, substantial ing the education experience for stu-
Strengthening R&D and innovation investment in research and clean dents and faculty through upgrading
ecosystems. In Chitkara universities, technologies is necessary, with campus digital and physical facilities,
we accord highest priority to R&D universities playing a pivotal role. conducting paperless examinations
and innovation. In the Chitkara Finally, we need inclusive develop- and using renewable energy.
University Research and Innovation ment that reaches urban and rural
Network, we have established dedi- areas, men and women, youth and MAHE's progress. We are fairly
cated technology, renewable energy, the elderly. At Chitkara University, satisfied with our progress. During
artificial intelligence, and healthcare we are attempting to shape students the past five years, we have
research centres, and our faculty into nation-builders. consistently achieved strategic

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