Sanjivani University · Centre for LEAD
LEAD Academics
Transforming Higher Education Through Strategic Academic Leadership
LEAD Academics Cohort 1 (2027) · 8 Jan 2027 - 3 Jul 2027
6
Strategic themes
16
Intensive modules
48
Masterclasses
72
Learning hours
Program format
STAGE 1
3-Day Residential Immersion
Sanjivani University Green Campus, Kopargaon
STAGE 2
23-Week Online Learning
Saturday live masterclasses + D2D platform
STAGE 3
2-Day Culmination
Capstone defense & valedictory ceremony
Curriculum
Theme 1
Strategic Leadership, Visioning & Governance
- Institutional Visioning & Strategic Planning
- Governance Structures, Statutory Bodies & Board Dynamics
- Accreditation Strategy: NAAC, NBA & NIRF Readiness
Theme 2
Academic & Pedagogical Excellence (NEP 2020 & AI in HE)
- NEP 2020 Implementation: Multidisciplinarity, ABC & NCrF
- Outcome-Based Education & Curriculum Design
- AI in Teaching, Learning & Assessment
Theme 3
Research Innovation, IPR & Technology Transfer
- Building a Research Culture & Funding Pipelines
- IPR, Patents & Technology Transfer Offices
- Incubation, Startups & Industry Collaboration
Theme 4
Inclusive People Leadership & Faculty Development
- Faculty Recruitment, Retention & Career Pathways
- Inclusive Campus, Equity & Student Wellbeing
- Leading Change, Conflict & Crisis Communication
Theme 5
Resource Optimization, Endowments & Financial Sustainability
- Budgeting, Cost Models & Resource Optimization
- Endowments, Philanthropy & Alumni Advancement
Theme 6
Digital Transformation & Enterprise Technology
- Digital Campus: ERP, LMS & Data-Driven Decision Making
- Cybersecurity, Data Governance & Digital Public Infrastructure
Mentors & instructors
- Dr. Meera Kulkarni - Former Vice Chancellor, State Public University, Maharashtra
- Prof. Rajiv Menon - Former Director, Premier Technical Institute, South India
- Dr. Sunita Rao - Former Vice Chancellor, Deemed-to-be University, Karnataka
- Prof. Arvind Joshi - Former Adviser, Quality Assurance, National Regulatory Body for Technical Education
- Dr. Kavita Nair - NAAC Peer Team Chair & Assessor, Independent Higher Education Consultant
- Prof. Suresh Patil - NBA Evaluator & Expert Committee Member, Outcome-Based Education Council
- Mr. Vikram Sethi - Chief Learning Officer, Global IT Services Enterprise
- Ms. Nandini Bhosale - Founder & Managing Partner, EdTech Impact Fund
- Mr. Rohit Agarwal - Head of Research Partnerships, Pharmaceutical R&D Enterprise
- Prof. Nikhil Shinde - Director, Centre for LEAD, Sanjivani University
- Dr. Prashant Deshpande - LEAD Chair Professor, Academic Leadership, Sanjivani University
- Dr. Swati Kale - LEAD Chair Professor, Research & Innovation, Sanjivani University
Eligibility
- 10+ years in higher education teaching, research or administration
- Professor, Dean, Director, Principal, Registrar, HoD or equivalent
- Institutional nomination letter
Fee & dates
- Fee: ₹2,95,000 + GST
- Applications close: 30 Nov 2026
- Program starts: 8 Jan 2027
- Seats: 40 per cohort