Prof. Dr. Sunil Rai has taken over the position of Chancellor at The University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES). Dr. Rai has a vast experience of 42 years with 19 years in academics, 21 years with the Indian Navy and two years in the corporate world.
Talking about his education qualification, Mr, Rai holds a PhD degree in Business Continuity Management from BITS Pilani, M. Tech. in Computer Science & Engineering from IIT Mumbai, and MBA with HR Specialization from IGNOU. He also holds a Master in Marine Engineering from Naval College of Engineering (NCE), INS Shivaji – Lonavla, and a B.Sc. Honours degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
He was the Vice-Chancellor of MIT Arts Design & Technology University, Pune and Director on the Board of Maharashtra IT Corporation, Govt. of Maharashtra. In his illustrious career in the world of academia. Prof. Rai has come to be known for designing and implementing plans that transform organisations. He has led them in various capacities – as pro-vice-chancellor, Director, Dean, and Chairperson.
Additionally, he has been instrumental in building some of these universities into huge brands – by implementing processes and developing and nurturing their staff obtaining accreditations for them. He is also a defence veteran and managed ships and technical establishments of the Indian Navy in various capacities. He was a commissioned officer in the Indian Navy for 21 years and served on ships INS Vikrant, Nilgiri, Himgiri, and Oil tanker Shakti.
An astute academician, Prof. Rai has been rated as the best faculty for eight years in succession at national and foreign campuses. He has an eclectic mix of management, engineering, and performing arts as part of his professional journey. His research interests comprise technology-enabled – people-driven change management and organizational development.
Prof. Rai is also a member of the Board of Advisors, Outreach Programs of Virginia Polytechnic University, Blacksburg, USA, and the co-founder of Cambridge Global Partners, Edinburgh, the UK, which provides strategic consulting to several industrial and academic organizations. A proven thought leader with unbridled enthusiasm for work, he has published papers on business continuity and higher education in various journals and published articles in management magazines & business education columns in newspapers. An excellent communicator and a prolific speaker, He has addressed national & international conferences and has earned accolades for his oratorical skills and public speaking style.
