Leadership
Dr. Rahul V. Karad
Hon'ble Executive President
Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University
Dr. Rahul Karad is an enterprising educationist and visionary leader at the forefront of the MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions, a network comprising over 72 institutes and 80,000 students. In this capacity, he serves as the Executive President of Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune. With a background in engineering, a postgraduate degree in management from Cardiff, U.K., and executive education from Harvard Business School, USA, he is committed to channelizing the power of youth through holistic and value-based education for nation-building.
Driven by his belief in democratic values and the potential of young India, Dr. Karad founded the MIT School of Government, the first institute of its kind in India and Asia dedicated to nurturing ethical and capable political leadership. MIT School of Government aims to prepare educated youth for active participation in politics and governance, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and sense of responsibility required for public life.
He is also the initiator of the National Legislators’ Conference, a platform that brings together lawmakers, policymakers, and thought leaders to strengthen democratic processes and legislative effectiveness in the country. In addition, he founded the Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad, one of India’s largest platforms for politically and socially aware youth, bringing together thousands of students from across the country to engage in dialogue on democracy, governance, and public policy.
Extending his commitment to inclusive leadership, Dr. Karad founded the National Women’s Parliament to promote women’s participation in public life, and the National Teachers’ Congress to empower educators as key stakeholders in nation-building. He also initiated the Rashtriya Sarpanch Sansad, fostering dialogue among grassroots leaders to strengthen rural governance.
Through these pioneering initiatives, Dr. Karad continues to shape a new generation of informed, responsible, and value-driven leaders committed to the progress of India.
Dr. Ravikumar Chitnis
Hon'ble Vice Chancellor
Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University
Dr. Ravikumar Chitnis is a distinguished academician with over three decades of experience in the field of education, contributing significantly to the growth and development of every institution he has been associated with. He has actively served in various academic roles at Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly the University of Pune), reflecting his deep engagement with higher education and institutional development.
At Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, he has been a pioneer in introducing several impactful initiatives, including International Summer Schools, Business Simulation Programs for management students, intercollegiate festivals such as Enthusia and Sports Fiesta, and short-term certificate courses like Business English. His efforts have consistently focused on enhancing student learning and global exposure.
Dr. Chitnis is a recognized Ph.D. research guide at VU University, Amsterdam, as well as at Savitribai Phule Pune University and Symbiosis International University. He has successfully executed more than four national and two international research projects and has contributed extensively to academia through research publications and 11 authored books.
He serves as Chairman of the NAAC Peer Team for accreditation of institutions and is an Academic Peer Reviewer for the QS International University Ranking system. He is also a member of the UGC (New Delhi) STRIDE committee, which promotes trans-disciplinary research in higher education.
A recipient of several awards, including the Best Teacher Award by the Higher Education Forum of India, the Ideal Citizen Award, and recognition from the Pune Municipal Corporation, Dr. Chitnis is known for his clear vision, strong conviction, and ability to translate ideas into successful outcomes through teamwork.
Dr. Prasad D. Khandekar
Hon'ble Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University
Dr. Prasad D. Khandekar brings over 30 years of rich experience in higher education leadership, academic governance, and research. A distinguished academician and administrator, he holds a Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering, M.E. in Electronics, and a B.E. in Industrial Electronics. He has served in various leadership roles including Vice Chancellor at DES Pune University, Dean of Engineering and Technology at Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, and Senior Director of Industry Partnerships and Quality Assurance.
His contributions include establishing 31 academic programs and multiple research centers.
He led Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University to the “Top Private Engineering Institution" in Maharashtra” based on NIRF 2022 ranking with 116th rank including initiating global collaborations and significantly boosting institutional revenue and research funding. He has also led national and international efforts in quality assurance and accreditation (NBA, NAAC, ABET) and is a Fellow of multiple prestigious engineering institutions including IEI, India and IEEE, USA.
With over 39 research publications, 8 patents (5 granted internationally), several authored textbooks, and keynote addresses at international forums including the G20 Education Expo, Dr. Khandekar's vision and commitment to academic excellence make him a valuable addition to our leadership team.