Professor of Practice

The National Education Policy 2020 seeks to transform higher education by focusing on skill- based education to meet needs of the industry and the economy. Further, the NEP also recommends integrating vocational education with general education and strengthening industry-academia collaboration in HEIs. For skilling of youth at the optimum level, learners are required to think like employers and employers are to think like learners.

UGC has taken a new initiative to bring the industry and other professional expertise into the academic institutions through a new category of positions called “Professor of Practice”. This will help to take real world practices and experiences into the class rooms and also augment the faculty resources in higher education institutions. In turn, the industry and society will benefit from trained graduates equipped with the relevant skills.

A "Professor of Practice" at MRIIRS embodies a faculty member with substantial practical, real-world proficiency in a specific academic field. Diverging from conventional academic roles emphasizing research and teaching, these professors contribute their profound insights and extensive experience within a particular profession or industry. Their involvement extends to actively shaping and refining curriculum, ensuring academic programs stay pertinent and attuned to contemporary industry dynamics and requirements.

Mr. Rajeev Dubey, a JN Tata scholar and a Distinguished Alumnus of the Yale School of Management, is a management veteran who has worn several hats.

Mr. Rajeev Dubey currently serves as the Chairman of Mahindra Insurance Brokers Ltd, Mahindra Steel Service Centre Ltd and Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd, and is a Director on the Board of Fifth Gear Ventures Ltd.

He was earlier the Group President (HR & Corporate Services) & CEO (After-Market Sector), Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd when he retired from his executive role in the Mahindra Group. He was then appointed Principal Advisor to the Group for a year.

We warmly welcome Shri Rajeev Dubey as a Professor of Practice with the Faculty of Management, MRIIRS. We are thrilled to embark on this path that is based on experience, wisdom, real world insights, mentorship, and cooperation to open doors for future generations.

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies is delighted to welcome Mr. Anil Chopra as a Professor of Practice in the Faculty of Management Studies, MRIIRS. Mr. Chopra is a senior Management Executive with wide exposure in Management Consultancy, Project Management and Corporate functions. During his career exceeding 40 years, he has managed P&L leadership, set up and nurtured new businesses and institutionalized organizations.

Having been educated at India’s premier institutes – IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, and having held prominent portfolios in his illustrious career, Mr. Chopra has outstanding conceptualization, analytical and communication skills, with the ability to make things happen effectively at strategic as well as operational level. His eminent career is a hallmark of excellence, acumen and expertise.

His wisdom and sagacity will inculcate essential skills in the students and will provide them the professional outlook towards life. His mentorship and guidance will smoothen the academic voyage of students.

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies proudly welcomes eminent professional Dr. Rajesh Kumar as Professor of Practice at the Faculty of Behavioural & Social Sciences, MRIIRS.

Dr. Rajesh Kumar is an expert in Yoga Sciences with 20 years of experience in the therapeutic values of Yoga and Yoga management of diseases and illnesses. A spiritual speaker and an expert in Corporate teaching, he is a proud recipient of the "Pratibha Samman 2002" award by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for service to society through Yoga.

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies welcomes Mr. Sunil Kappal as "Professor of Practice" at the Centre for Distance Learning & Online Education, MRIIRS.

Mr. Sunil Kappal, IIM Lucknow trained professional (MDP Program 2015) and a trained data analytics professional with over two decades of industry experience. His hands-on experience with Bayesian Classification, Regression, ARIMA, Decision Trees, and Statistical Analysis methods is remarkable.

His ability to articulate complex analysis in a clear, precise, and actionable manner and his in-depth experience in analyzing data and developing business insights will make students understand the nuances of data handling. He has played a key role in encouraging innovation and creativity through his strategic decisions during his professional tenure.

We are ecstatic to welcome him and learn from his experiences!

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies welcomes Ms. Alpana Srivastava as "Professor of Practice" at the Centre for Distance Learning & Online Education, MRIIRS.

Ms. Alpana has over 25 years of corporate experience. She has been associated with International Buying and American Retail Companies like William E Connor and Associates Ltd as Regional HR Head for India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, and later with The TJX Companies Inc. (a leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide) heading their HR Operations in India.

She has been instrumental in providing strategic HR consulting to the Business Units, including coaching and advice to Executives as required to ensure they manage the impact of people-related issues in a respectful way aligned with the values of the Company.

Her excellent interpersonal skills and expertise in organization development, talent management, and performance management shall aid students in getting industry exposure.