Dr. Shankar S Mantha
President
Dr. Shankar S. Mantha is a distinguished academic leader, internationally respected scholar, and a key contributor to the evolution of technical and higher education in India. As the former Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), he played a pivotal role in modernizing India’s technical education ecosystem through policy reforms, digital governance, and quality-focused regulation for six-year tenure. During this period, Dr. Mantha led the implementation of several landmark e-governance initiatives that enhanced transparency and efficiency in regulatory processes. He is the principal architect of the National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF), later rechristened as the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), and a key contributor to India’s Blended Learning Regulations, aligning education with evolving industry and workforce needs. An accomplished academician, Dr. Mantha is Professor Emeritus at Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai, where he previously served as Professor of Robotics, Control Theory, and Artificial Intelligence. His academic journey is complemented by international industry experience, including notable work at IBM, Poughkeepsie, New York, on the TIVOLI project. He has authored over 280 research publications in reputed national and international journals and conferences and has written three books in his areas of expertise. Dr. Mantha has held several leadership and advisory roles across academia, government, and industry. These include Pro Vice-Chancellor of SNDT Women’s University, Chancellor of KL University, CEO of the MAHAPREIT Start-up Knowledge Centre (Government of Maharashtra), Member of the Karnataka Skill Development Authority, and Advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor at the National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, Chairman of the Technical Committee of the National Cyber Safety and Security Standards (NCSSS), and IT Expert to the Government of Maharashtra. Vision at Bhagwan Mahavir University As President of Bhagwan Mahavir University, Dr. Mantha leads with the belief that education is a powerful driver of social and economic transformation. Under his leadership, the University is committed to moving beyond rote learning toward a holistic, multidisciplinary, and technology-enabled education model, firmly rooted in ethical values and global perspectives. His vision focuses on fostering a culture where innovation thrives, research fuels growth, and entrepreneurship addresses real-world challenges.
Dr. Ramakumar Ambatipudi
Vice Chancellor
Dr. Ramakumar Ambatipudi, MBA, Ph.D., is a distinguished academic leader and transformation strategist with more than three decades of experience across higher education leadership and industry. With an extensive background as Pro Vice-Chancellor, Chief Transformation Officer, and Head of management Institutions and Professor, Dr. Ramakumar brings a rich blend of academic governance, industry insight, and change leadership. He has played a pivotal role in building international collaborations, strengthening industry-linked curricula, and implementing outcome-based, value-added academic frameworks which enhances student employability and institutional reputation. His leadership is deeply rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, with a strong emphasis on bridging academia and industry. A scholar and Ph.D. guide in management, his research focus on rural tourism marketing reflects his commitment to socio-economic development and responsible education. He authored many a number of research articles which published in eminent national and international research journals and has written three books in his areas of expertise. As a vice chancellor (Provost) for this distinguished university, he is committed to provide strategic direction for academic excellence, institutional growth, internationalization, and industry integration, aligning the university’s vision with global best practices. Guided by the National Education Policy (NEP), his vision for BMU is engrained in the powerful synergy of Academic Rigor, Robust Research, and Dynamic Industry-Institute Linkages.
Dr. Vijay K Matawala
Registrar
Prof. (Dr.) Vijay Matawala is a distinguished academician and administrator with over 26 years of experience in teaching, research, and university governance. Dr. Matawala holds B.Tech, M.Tech (IIT-Bombay) in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Thermal and Fluid Engineering and PhD (MS University-Vadodara). Throughout his career, Dr. Matawala has held numerous leadership positions within the university ecosystem. He is Playing a vital role in quality assurance, institutional accreditation, NEP-2020 Implementation and contributing to the modernization of the academic framework. He believes, BMU is a dynamic academic community that promotes intellectual development, career preparedness, and personal values in addition to being a centre for education. The university has consistently worked to provide top-notch facilities, technologically advanced processes, and a rigorous yet welcoming campus community that promotes study outside of the classroom. Effective institutional procedures, transparent governance, and seamless academic administration are all made possible by the Office of the Registrar. His goal is to establish a secure, welcoming, and well-organized environment where teachers and students can flourish with assurance and clarity. BMU could achieve academic excellence on the foundation of robust administrative processes. The university continues to innovate and adapt as the global education landscape changes in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, equipping students to face challenges in the future with integrity and competence. We welcome the student community to Bhagwan Mahavir University (BMU), Surat—an institution committed to academic achievement, innovation, and holistic growth.