Citation
Dr. Chandra receives award from EducationWorld Publisher/Editor Dilip Thakore
Dr. Naresh Chandra is Director (Education) of the B.K. Birla College of Arts, Science & Commerce (Autonomous), Kalyan, Mumbai (BKBCK, estb. in 1972 under the patronage of Shri B.K. Birla and Smt. Sarala Birla). An alumnus of Meerut University, Dr. Chandra is a veteran educationist with over four decades of teaching, admin and leadership experience. Dr. Chandra began his career at the B.K. Birla College in 1980 as a lecturer in botany. Subsequently in 1988, he was appointed Principal, serving with distinction until May 2018 (except the period when he was on lien).
His leadership and commitment to quality improvement and pedagogy innovation has been instrumental in transforming BKBCK — which has an enrolment of over 13,000 students — into one of the country’s top-ranked colleges dispensing high-quality, contemporary undergrad and postgraduate education. In 2015, BKBCK was conferred ‘College of Excellence’ status by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which also awarded it autonomous status in 2018-19. In the latest EW India Higher Education Rankings 2023-24, BKBCK is ranked India #10 and Maharashtra #6 among private autonomous colleges.
Yet Dr. Chandra’s contribution to Indian higher education extends beyond BKBCK. He has served as Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Mumbai (UoM, estb.1857) for two terms — 1997-2000 and 2012-2015. During his tenure at UoM, he was instrumental in introducing innovative, career-oriented, new-age study programmes and several initiatives to upgrade university administration, evaluation system, campus development and student welfare.
Simultaneously, Dr. Chandra has worked on major research projects; served as research guide for doctoral scholars of the University of Mumbai; serves as a member of the National Academy of Sciences India (NASI), a Fellow and Life Member of the Indian Botanical Society and as Associate Editor of the Journal of Cell and Tissue Research. A well-respected higher education leader, Dr. Chandra has been nominated by the Maharashtra state government to several committees on higher education, to contribute his expertise to policy formulation and implementation of the National Education Policy 2020.
“The progressive growth of B.K. Birla College into a nationally Top 10 ranked institution has been a very satisfying experience. Our prime objective is to ensure that students receive well-rounded best quality education to prepare them for life and fulfilling careers. However, quality improvement is a continuous journey. We are committed to serving this great temple of learning and continue to contribute to the process of transforming Indian higher education in line with NEP 2020,” says Dr. Chandra.
For his dedicated service as teacher, researcher, facilitator, and academic leader in India’s higher education system and in particular, for nurturing BKBCK for over four decades into a nationally respected higher education institution, the Editors and Board of Directors of EducationWorld are pleased to present the EW Extraordinary Achievement in Education Leadership Award 2023-24 to Dr. Naresh Chandra.
