Level 1Individual Impact
Applications open · Cohort 1Centre for LEAD
Transforming Higher Education Through Strategic Academic Leadership
A 6-Month Flagship Executive Program for Senior Deans, Directors, and Academic Changemakers | Sanjivani University
6
Strategic Themes
16 intensive modules
48
Masterclasses
72 learning hours
5
Core Competencies
FLY professional mindset
40
Academic Leaders
selected per cohort
Live
- Admissions open for LEAD Academics Cohort 1 (2027)
- 0 applications received so far
- 40 of 40 seats available
- Application deadline: 30 Nov 2026
- Residential immersion from 8 Jan 2027
- 12+ mentors from academia, regulators and industry
- Institutional group sponsorships available
Program Snapshot
A sandwich journey built for working academic leaders
LEAD Academics blends immersive on-campus learning with a sustained online phase, so participants can apply every idea to their own institution while they learn.
- Duration
- 6 Months
- Learning Hours
- 72+ Hours
- Cohort Size
- 40 Leaders
- Format
- Hybrid Sandwich
- Starts
- 8 Jan 2027
3 Days01Residential Immersion
Sanjivani University Green Campus, Kopargaon
Leadership diagnostics, peer circles and foundation masterclasses on campus. Cohort members meet their mentors, form capstone teams and experience Sanjivani's institution-building journey first-hand.
- Leadership self-assessment
- Mentor matching
- Campus & lab walkthroughs
23 Weeks02Online Interactive Learning
Saturday Live Masterclasses + D2D Platform
Weekly live masterclasses with former VCs, regulators and industry leaders, complemented by the Discuss-to-Deliver (D2D) learning platform for case work, reflections and mentor feedback.
- 48 live masterclasses
- Case studies & peer reviews
- Monthly mentor check-ins
2 Days03Culmination & Valedictory
Capstone Defense & Valedictory Ceremony
Teams defend their institutional transformation whitepapers before a national jury, followed by the valedictory ceremony and conferment of the LEAD Academics certificate.
- Capstone defense
- National jury feedback
- Certificate conferment
Capstone Leadership Project
The Action Learning Lab: solve a real institutional challenge
Every participant leads a capstone rooted in their own institution. By the valedictory, you hold a defended, board-ready strategy - not just a certificate.
Weeks 1-6
Institutional Diagnostic Audit
Each participant runs a structured, evidence-based audit of their own institution to surface the one strategic challenge worth solving.
NIRF
Teaching-learning resources, research, graduation outcomes, outreach and perception scores benchmarked against peers.
NAAC
Criterion-wise readiness across curricular aspects, governance, IQAC effectiveness and best practices.
Research Output
Publications, citations, funded projects, patents and consultancy per faculty member.
Faculty Attrition
Hiring, retention, workload and career progression trends that drive academic quality.
Mentor-guidedEvidence-based deliverablesNational jury assessment
Curriculum Themes
6 strategic themes. 16 modules. 72 hours of leadership learning.
A curriculum designed around the real mandate of a modern academic leader - from governance and NEP 2020 to research, people, finance and digital transformation.
Theme 1
Strategic Leadership, Visioning & Governance
Craft a compelling institutional vision, translate it into a measurable strategic plan, and lead governance bodies with clarity. Participants learn to align statutory bodies, boards and academic councils around a shared long-term agenda.
14 learning hours · 3 modules
- 01
Institutional Visioning & Strategic Planning
From vision statements to balanced scorecards: building a 5-10 year strategic plan with KPIs, milestones and ownership.
5 hours · 3 masterclasses
- 02
Governance Structures, Statutory Bodies & Board Dynamics
Working effectively with Boards of Management, Academic Councils and regulators; delegation, compliance and accountability frameworks.
4 hours · 3 masterclasses
- 03
Accreditation Strategy: NAAC, NBA & NIRF Readiness
Turning accreditation from an audit exercise into a continuous quality culture; data readiness for NAAC, NBA and NIRF.
5 hours · 3 masterclasses
Woven through every theme
The FLY Professional Mindset
Technical knowledge makes a good administrator; mindset makes a transformational leader. Five core competencies are assessed at entry, coached throughout the program and re-assessed at the capstone defense.
Problem solving via
The L.I.F.E. Framework
- ListenHear every stakeholder - faculty, students, boards, regulators and industry.
- InvestigateGather data and diagnose root causes rather than symptoms.
- FormulateDesign options, weigh trade-offs and commit to a costed plan.
- EvaluateMeasure outcomes, close the loop and institutionalise what works.
Competency 1
Conscientiousness
Owning outcomes with rigour, reliability and ethical clarity in every decision.
Competency 2
Perseverance
Sustaining change through resistance, setbacks and long accreditation cycles.
Competency 3
Innovativeness
Reimagining programmes, pedagogy and operations for a fast-changing world.
Competency 4
Taking Initiative
Acting ahead of mandates and mobilising teams before problems become crises.
Competency 5
Problem Solving
Structured, evidence-led problem solving through the L.I.F.E. framework.
Mentors & Instructors
Learn from those who have led institutions
Former vice chancellors, regulators, industry leaders and Sanjivani's own LEAD chairs teach the masterclasses and mentor every capstone.
Showing 12 of 12 mentors
Multi-Level Impact Matrix
Impact that compounds - from self to system
LEAD is designed so that personal growth translates into institutional results and, collectively, into a stronger higher education system.
Level 2Institutional Impact
Measurable gains for the institution you lead
NAAC / NIRF acceleration
A data-driven quality culture that improves accreditation outcomes and rankings.
Research culture
Funding pipelines, IPR processes and industry partnerships that raise research output.
Faculty morale & retention
Career pathways, recognition and inclusive practices that reduce attrition.
Level 3Systemic Impact
Contributing to India's higher education future
Fees, Eligibility & Important Dates
Admissions for LEAD Academics Cohort 1 (2027)
Only 40 leaders are selected per cohort to keep masterclasses intimate and mentoring personal. 40 seats are currently available.
Who should apply
Applicants are expected to meet all of the following criteria.
10+ years of experience
In teaching, research or academic administration in higher education.
Senior academic role
Professor, Dean, Director, Principal, Registrar, HoD or equivalent leadership position.
Institutional nomination
A nomination letter from the head of your institution or governing body.
Capstone commitment
Willingness to lead a transformation project within your own institution.
Program Fee
₹2,95,000
+ 18% GST per participant
- Program fee
- ₹2,95,000
- GST (18%)
- ₹53,100
- Total payable
- ₹3,48,100
Includes
- Residential immersion boarding & lodging
- Culmination stay & valedictory
- All masterclasses & D2D platform
- Mentoring & capstone assessment
- Learning resources & case kits
- LEAD Academics certificate
Institutional group sponsorship
Institutions nominating 3 or more leaders to the same cohort are eligible for group sponsorship terms and a consolidated invoice. Contact the LEAD office for details.
Payment milestones
- 20%On offer acceptance
- 50%Before immersion
- 30%By week 12
Travel to and from Kopargaon is not included. Fee terms are indicative and confirmed in the offer letter.
Start your applicationImportant dates
- 1
1 Sept 2026
Applications open
- 2
31 Oct 2026
Early-bird consideration ends
- 3
30 Nov 2026
Final application deadline
- 4
1 Dec - 15 Dec 2026
Shortlist conversations complete
- 5
24 Dec 2026
Offers & first fee instalment
- 6
8 Jan - 10 Jan 2027
Residential immersion
- 7
16 Jan - 19 Jun 2027
Online learning phase (23 weeks)
- 8
2 Jul - 3 Jul 2027
Capstone defense & valedictory
Testimonials & Video Showcase
Voices from the LEAD community
Reflections from senior academic administrators who have engaged with LEAD, and films from the Sanjivani campus where the journey begins.
“The diagnostic audit framework changed how our leadership team reads data. We now review NAAC and NIRF indicators every quarter instead of once in five years.”
Sanjivani on film
Application
Apply to LEAD Academics Cohort 1 (2027)
Five short steps. Your progress is saved on this device. Applications close on 30 Nov 2026.
FAQ, Contact & Campus
Questions? We're here to help.
Browse common questions or write to the LEAD office. We usually respond within two working days.
Frequently asked questions
Senior academic leaders with 10+ years of experience - deans, directors, principals, registrars, heads of department and senior professors who hold or are preparing for institutional leadership roles.
Talk to the LEAD office
Request a call-back, brochure or group-nomination details.
- lead@sanjivani.edu.in · general: contact@sanjivani.edu.in
- +91 91301 91301
- Sanjivani University, Kopargaon, Near Shirdi, Ahilyanagar (Maharashtra), 423601