Top 10 Deans from Private Universities - 2024

The role of a Dean in a private university in India is pivotal in shaping the academic and administrative direction of the institution. As academic leaders, Deans oversee the academic departments and ensure the quality of education offered while creating an atmosphere conducive to both faculty and students. In private universities, which frequently emphasize innovation, industry partnerships, and modern teaching methods, Dean ensures that academic standards align with the university’s goals and the expectations of its stakeholders. They typically perform numerous administrative and academic roles, like developing curricula, hiring professors, and allocating resources for teaching purposes. Also, they monitor students’ performances and carry out policies assigned by higher officers of the university, who could be Vice Chancellor or Chancellor, in managing the particular school or faculties they handles.

Private universities in India, of which a majority have been set up during the last two decades, tend to look for specialized and industry-oriented programs. Deans are expected to deal with academic affairs and to encourage collaboration with the leaders of industry, manage research initiatives, and introduce innovative learning practices. Focusing on employability, the deans are heavily involved in designing curriculum in emergent areas, such as data science, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing, which prepares graduates for a global job market. An important function of the position is to encourage research and develop faculty. In most private universities, Deans play a vital role in securing funds for research projects from internal and external sources while ensuring continuous training and exposure to new teaching methodologies for faculty members. This helps in maintaining the reputation and standing of the university in national and international rankings.

Deans in private universities also play a key role in student engagement. They collaborate with student bodies in identifying their concerns, promoting participation in extracurricular activities, and opening doors for internships, workshops, and networking opportunities. Engaging with students and faculty, Deans make sure that the mission of academic excellence at the university is constantly maintained. Therefore, Deans focuses in the growth, innovations, and academic integrity of private universities in India. Their leadership styles determine the general character of education; greatly contribute to the institutions’ successes.

This issue of Higher Education Review talks about some of the professionally managed colleges in the country, which has been nurtured with best technical and professional infrastructure and assistance from efficient and skilled faculties ensuring delivery of quality higher education and research. This issue spotlights a list of ‘Top 10 Deans from Private Universities - 2024’, the list has been crafted by a team of Industry veterans, CEOs, VCs and the Higher Education Review editorial team.