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to our academic and professional training ecosystem.

R&D and innovation are widely perceived as Indian academia’s
infirmity. What’s your institutional response to create new
knowledge?
As a research-driven institution, we have made signifi-
cant strides in fostering a strong culture of inquiry and
evidence-based learning. Our faculty and research centres
regularly undertake policy-relevant and applied research
projects in collaboration with government bodies, inter-
national organizations, and industry partners.
To strengthen innovation, we encourage interdisciplin-
ary research, support student-led research initiatives, and
continuously invest in capacity-building through work-
shops, data labs, and conferences.
What’s your prescription for transforming India into a $30 tril-
lion GDP economy by 2047?
Dr. Sodani (centre) with IIHMR faculty & students
Transforming India into a $30 trillion GDP economy by
2047 requires a multi-pronged strategy rooted in inclu-
leadership in health management, public health, hospital sive growth, innovation, and human capital development.
administration, and health systems research. We aim to A key priority must be greater investment in quality
become a global hub for excellence in healthcare educa- education, skill development, and healthcare to build a
tion and policy, fostering innovation and capacity-build- productive workforce. Leveraging technology, fostering
ing to address India's evolving healthcare challenges.
entrepreneurship, and creating an enabling environment
for startups and MSMEs will further drive innovation and
How satisfied are you with your progress thus far? job creation.
We are proud of the progress IIHMR University has made
so far in advancing health management education and Aman Mittal
research in India and beyond. Over the years, we have
established ourselves as a premier higher ed institution in Vice President, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara
the field, with strong focus on academic excellence, policy
impact, and capacity building. Our alumni have made sig- n alum of Thapar Institute of Engineering, Patiala
nificant contributions to public health systems, hospitals, and Southampton (UK) universities, Aman Mittal
development sectors, and global health organizations. Ais Vice President of Lovely Professional University,
While we acknowledge the milestones achieved, we Phagwara (LPU, estb.2006) which has 35,000 students
remain aware that there is still much to accomplish. The from 50 countries mentored by 3,800 faculty on its
evolving healthcare landscape demands continuous in- muster rolls.
novation and adaptation. We are committed to deepening
our impact through interdisciplinary research, digital What are the major objectives set for LPU for 2047?
transformation, and greater collaboration, ensuring that We have clear objectives to shape India’s educational
our journey towards Vision 2047 remains dynamic and future — inclusion, innovation, and future-ready learning.
purpose-driven. To promote inclusion, LPU has significantly expanded
access to quality education through robust online and
What are your major initiatives to contemporise your syllabus / distance learning platforms, and providing scholarships
curriculum? valued at Rs.100 crore annually.
IIHMR University has undertaken several major initia- On the innovation front, LPU is building a powerful
tives to contemporise its syllabus. We have integrated research ecosystem. With 1,418 patents filed in 2023-
emerging areas such as healthcare analytics, digital 4 — the highest by any higher ed institution country-
health, artificial intelligence, health financing, and imple- wide — our focus in on solving challenges in healthcare,
mentation science into the curriculum. Regular inputs agriculture, and sustainability. To prepare students for
from industry experts, alumni, and academic leaders the demands of the future, LPU is embedding AI-driven
ensure that our programs remain aligned with current personalisation, adaptive, skill-based curricula in all
global and national trends. study programmes.

How satisfied are you with your connect with Indian industry How satisfied are you with your progress thus far?
and business? We are satisfied with the progress achieved thus far and
Highly satisfied with our growing and robust connect are confident of surpassing it in the years to come. We
with Indian industry and business, particularly within the have established over 500 global academic and research
healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and development sectors. partnerships, enabling student exchanges, joint degrees,
Through strategic collaborations, corporate partnerships, and international collaboration. With students receiving
internships, and placement opportunities, we have estab- international placement offers as high as Rs.1 crore and
lished strong industry linkages that add significant value Rs.2.5 crore, our future-ready model has been strongly

JULY 2025 EDUCATIONWORLD 63