Prof. (Dr.) Vivek Inder Kochhar is an accomplished academic leader, institution builder, researcher and higher education strategist with more than 26 years of professional experience, including over 21 years in higher education leadership and 5 years in corporate consulting.

Dr. Kochhar has been associated with Takshashila University since its formative stage in August 2022 and has played a significant role in shaping the University’s academic and institutional journey. As Vice Chancellor, he provides strategic and academic leadership with a focus on academic excellence, sound governance, research and innovation, quality enhancement, student development and sustainable institutional growth.

From the University’s early stages, he has been closely involved in establishing its academic, administrative and governance framework, including the development of Ordinances, Statutes, Regulations, policies, programmes, systems and institutional processes. His contribution has also extended to shaping the University’s academic ecosystem, institutional culture and strategic direction, bringing together people, processes and ideas to build a strong foundation for the University’s future.

Dr. Kochhar believes that a university must be more than a place where knowledge is taught—it should be a place where ideas are born, questions are encouraged, innovation is nurtured and young people discover their ability to make a difference. This philosophy is reflected in his strong emphasis on student-centric education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. He has personally supported and funded promising student ideas and innovative initiatives, encouraging students to take their ideas beyond the classroom and turn them into practical projects and potential ventures.

With a multidisciplinary academic background, Dr. Kochhar holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University Institute of Management, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, along with an MBA, M.Com., B.Com., PGDPM and PGDBA.

His professional journey also includes corporate consulting experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), KPMG Consulting and Accenture Consulting, as well as contributions to projects supported by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). This combination of corporate and academic experience has shaped his approach to higher education, particularly his emphasis on professional management, strategic thinking, institutional effectiveness and meaningful engagement with industry and society.

Over the course of his academic career, he has served in senior positions including Pro Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Dean, Controller of Examinations, Professor, Director, Chairman of the Board of Studies and Joint Director. His areas of contribution include academic governance, curriculum development, outcome-based education, accreditation and quality assurance, research management, faculty development, regulatory compliance and institutional planning.

A committed academic and researcher, Dr. Kochhar has authored two books and published many research papers in national and international journals. He has also guided doctoral research scholars in management and allied disciplines and contributed to academic councils, boards of studies, conferences, seminars and faculty development programmes.

Alongside his university leadership, he has served as a Strategic Advisor to organisations of national and international repute in the education sector, contributing perspectives on institutional development, higher education strategy, governance, quality enhancement and organisational transformation.

His leadership philosophy is rooted in integrity, academic excellence, innovation, inclusivity, research and student success. He believes that education should prepare young people not only for employment, but for a lifetime of learning, leadership, creativity and responsible contribution to society.

Dr. Kochhar envisions Takshashila University as a future-ready, globally connected and innovation-driven institution where education, research, technology, industry and entrepreneurship come together to create meaningful impact.

For him, the true measure of a university is ultimately reflected in the quality of its students, the commitment of its faculty, the relevance of its research, the values it nurtures and the difference its graduates make in the world.

With his experience in institution building, higher education leadership, governance, management consulting, research and strategic advisory, Prof. (Dr.) Vivek Inder Kochhar continues to contribute to the growth of Takshashila University and its aspiration to emerge as a distinctive institution of higher learning in India and globally.