 Early Times Report
Jammu, May 31: Prof. Keshav Sharma, a distinguished academician and proud son of the soil, has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the prestigious ICFAI University, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, for a term of three years.
His selection was endorsed by the Governing Board of the ICFAI Group of Educational Institutions, following a rigorous selection process conducted by a high-level Search Committee.
The Search Committee included eminent personalities such as V. R. Shankara, President, ICFAI Group; Dr. R. P. Kaushik, Professor of International Relations at JNU and former Ambassador and UGC Member; Prof. Bhano Ji Rao, a renowned educationist; Prof. Haragopal Reddy, an eminent legal expert; and Dr. Mahinder Reddy of IFHE Hyderabad—all distinguished former Vice-Chancellors.
Prof. Sharma's name was finalized after several rounds of extensive interactive sessions held in Hyderabad, from a panel of shortlisted candidates.
Prof. Keshav Sharma brings with him nearly four decades of rich academic and administrative experience. He served in various key positions at the University of Jammu, including Dean Academic Affairs; Registrar; Controller of Examinations; Dean Students Welfare; Dean, Faculty of Business Studies; Director, The Business School; Director, Sports & Physical Education; Provost Hostels; Chief Coordinator Campuses; Rector, Udhampur Campus; and Warden. He also held the position of Campus Director at Rayat Bahra Group’s Mohali Campus.
A Ph.D. in Marketing, Prof. Sharma pursued post-doctoral research at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA, and completed a Faculty Development Programme (FDP) at the prestigious Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, Chicago. He has represented India in several international academic forums and was part of the University of Jammu’s core academic teams that visited institutions in Singapore, Canada, and the USA to study best practices in higher education.
An accomplished scholar, Prof. Sharma is the author of three books and has published numerous research papers in reputed journals. He has successfully guided 16 Ph.D. and 7 M.Phil. scholars and served as Coordinator for the UGC SAP-DRS Project. He is currently associated with NAAC and NBA/AICTE and has served on several UGC visiting committees.
Widely respected among students and peers alike, Prof. Sharma is known for his tireless commitment to education, compassionate leadership, and dynamic approach. He is fondly remembered at the University of Jammu for organizing two mega youth festivals—UMANG and HARMONY—that significantly elevated the university's profile at both national and international levels.
His appointment as Vice-Chancellor is expected to bring visionary leadership, academic excellence, and administrative innovation to ICFAI University, Himachal Pradesh. |
