About Dr. Mahendra Sharma
Discover the story behind one of India's most respected educational leaders—his journey, philosophy, and unwavering commitment to shaping the future of higher education.
A Life Dedicated to Educational Excellence
Dr. Mahendra Sharma is a distinguished educational leader with over two decades of transformative experience in higher education administration, policy development, and institutional excellence.
Leads the academic and executive functions of the University, spearheading institutional scaling, multidisciplinary expansions, and curriculum innovation.
Current Role
Group Pro Chancellor & Joint President
- Leading Ganpat University | 2026 - Present
- Higher Education Leadership
- Policy Development & Reform
- Industry-Academia Integration
- Research & Innovation Management
- Student-Centric Learning Design
- Institutional Excellence
Areas of Expertise & Quick Facts
Dr. Sharma combines deep administrative competence with strategic foresight, creating actionable frameworks for institutional progress.
Quick Facts
Educational Journey
A foundation of academic excellence spanning management, marketing, and business administration
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Management (Consumer Behaviour)
- Thesis: An In-depth study on consumer behaviour and marketing strategies
- Conferred May 20, 2006
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Marketing
- Specialization in Marketing Management
- Conferred 1999
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Business Administration
- Conferred 1997
- Focus on Management Education & Practice Foundations
Leadership Philosophy
My approach to educational leadership is rooted in three interconnected principles that guide every decision, initiative, and institutional transformation:
1. Student-Centricity Above All
Every policy, every program, every partnership must ultimately serve one purpose: empowering students to discover their potential, develop their capabilities, and deploy their talents to create meaningful impact in the world.
2. Innovation Through Collaboration
Real innovation happens at the intersection of academia, industry, and society. Building bridges between these worlds—through partnerships, research collaborations, and shared learning—creates ecosystems where breakthrough ideas can flourish.
3. Excellence Without Compromise
Leadership in education demands an unwavering commitment to quality—in teaching, research, infrastructure, and governance. Excellence is not a destination; it's a relentless pursuit that inspires everyone in the institution to reach higher.
Core Values
Guiding principles that define leadership approach and institutional culture
Integrity
Upholding the highest ethical standards in all decisions and actions
Transparency
Fostering open communication and accountability at every level
Innovation
Embracing change and encouraging creative problem-solving
Excellence
Pursuing quality and continuous improvement relentlessly
Inclusivity
Creating opportunities for all, regardless of background
Global Perspective
Preparing students for leadership in a interconnected world
Career Milestones
Two decades of progressive leadership across premier institutions
Group Pro Chancellor and Joint President
Ganpat University - Leads the academic and executive functions of the University, spearheading institutional scaling, multidisciplinary expansions, and curriculum innovation.
Pro Chancellor
Ganpat University - Redefined academic standards, leading international partnerships, and strengthening research and development.
Director General (Vice-Chancellor)
Ganpat University - Led the university through a decade of unparalleled growth, bridging the industry-academia gap through strategic alliances and world-class infrastructure.
National Advisory & Policy Specialist
Ministry of Education (Govt of India) & National Chambers - Serves in influential national advisory capacities shaping higher education commissions, human resource boards, and national taskforces.
Deputy Director (Pro Vice-Chancellor) - Academics
Ganpat University - Managed university-wide academic execution, calendars, syllabus audits, off-campus operational models in Ahmedabad, and offshore programs in Cambodia.
Dean - Faculty of Management Studies
Ganpat University - Conceived, launched, and managed industry-focused sector-specific MBA programs, setting a benchmark in Western India.
Professor and Head
V. M. Patel Institute of Management - Served as Lecturer (2000-2003), Assistant Professor (2004-2006), Associate Professor (2006-2007), and Professor & Head (2007-2015), guiding research and teaching Core Marketing.
Sales & Brand Management Specialist
Arvind Brands Limited & HLL (Hindustan Unilever) - Acquired critical corporate execution experience in distribution logistics, sales networks, and retail marketing campaigns.
Awards & Recognition
National and institutional honors recognizing leadership excellence
'100 Most Influential Vice-Chancellors in the country
Listed and facilitated among'100 Most Influential Vice-Chancellors in the country by World Education Congress during June 23, 2016 at 5thEdition of the Congress held at Mumbai.
Edupreneur of the Year promoting Higher Education in Western India
'Edupreneur of the Year promoting Higher Education in Western India' by Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) and the Education Post during 3rd Education Excellence Awards ceremony held on December 22, 2015 at Ahmedabad.
Outstanding Contribution to the field of Education
'Outstanding Contribution to the field of Education' by World Education Congress and Private Universities Forum during the Conference of World Chancellors and Vice Chancellors held at Hotel Taj Land Ends, Mumbai during August 2014.
Just Mexican- at Entrepreneurial Cross Road
Best Case-Study Award (First Prize) Winner in International Conference on 'Emerging Management Practices and Perspectives focusing on Global Marketing' organized by FMS, Ganpat University in collaboration with Victoria University, Australia and Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) during February 7-8, 2014. The Case written was titled ' _Just Mexican- at Entrepreneurial Cross Road_ '.
PIMR Outstanding Alumnus Award conferred
PIMR Outstanding Alumnus Award conferred by Prestige Institute of Management and Research, Indore for achieving excellence in management education field and its practice. The Award was given by Prof. Yashpal Sharma and Dr. Bakul Dholakia during PIMR International Conference on Management at Indore on January 30, 2010.
Conferred MIMA (Certification of Admission as Member
Conferred MIMA (Certification of Admission as Member) by All India Management Association, New Delhi in recognition of contribution to the field of Management on October 01, 2008.
Honored Visitors & Student Spotlights
Distinguished dignitaries and exceptional student achievers shaping the GUNI legacy.
Bastaki
Supervised research student or co-author associated with Dr. Mahendra Sharma.
Patel V
Supervised research student or co-author associated with Dr. Mahendra Sharma.
Bhavika Parmar
Student athlete selected by Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) in Under-15 girls camp.
Swara Patel
Student athlete selected by Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) in Under-15 girls camp.
Heli Solanki
First Merchant Navy Girl Officer Cadet from Gujarat (B.Tech Marine Engineering, Batch 2017-21).
Meet Tadhani
Para-athlete, Gold Medalist in 100m at the 21st National Para-Athletics Championship 2023.
Akshad Gandecha
Gold Medalist at the 11th Shito-Ryu Karate International Championship 2022.
Harsh Upadhyay
Singles Men's Event Winner at the Tennis State Ranking Tournament 2023.
Nilendrasinh Padhiyar
Gold Medalist at the 2nd Strong Shotokan National Karate Championship 2022.
Prof. S.S. Mantha
Hon. Chairman of AICTE, Chief Guest at 7th Convocation (11 Jan 2014)
Shri O. P. Kohli
Hon. Governor of Gujarat, Chief Guest at 8th Convocation (05 Jan 2015)
Shri Pratul Shroff
Founder & CEO of eInfochips, Chief Guest at 9th Convocation (12 Jan 2016)
Dr. Malini V. Shankar
Director General of Shipping & Special Secretary Govt of India, Chief Guest at 11th Convocation (19 Dec 2017)
Shree Kenichi Ayukawa
Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, Chief Guest at 12th Convocation (24 Dec 2018)
Shri Mansukh Mandaviya
Hon. Union Minister, Chief Guest at 13th Convocation (05 Jan 2020)
Soraya M. Coley
President of California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), Chief Guest at 14th Convocation (22 Dec 2020)
A Personal Message
Throughout my journey in education, I've been privileged to witness the transformative power of learning—not just in classrooms, but in the lives it touches, the communities it strengthens, and the futures it creates.
My vision has always been simple yet ambitious: to build institutions where every student feels empowered to dream big, where innovation is celebrated, where collaboration replaces competition, and where excellence is not an aspiration but a lived reality.
— Dr. Mahendra Sharma