Over the years, education in India has aided people towards societal reforms, yet it is evident that the education system itself needs reform. Many curriculums require updating, and the post-pandemic educational landscape has drastically changed. However, there is uncertainty about whether we are progressing in the right direction. This is where educational leadership plays a crucial role. Visionary leaders in education drive innovation and reform, ensuring a bright future for Indian education. One such inspiring leader is Professor Prem Vrat, who serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad and IIT Mandi.
From Lecturer to Visionary Leader
A distinguished product of the IIT system, Prof Vrat has been a faculty member since 1968. Having joined IIT Delhi as a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, he was driven by a strong passion of teaching and research, which he chose over an industrial offer, after securing top rank in his M.Tech. He eventually went ahead to pursue his Ph.D. from IIT Delhi in 1974.
The growth he achieved in IIT Delhi was tremendous, ascending the academic ladder, ultimately becoming a full professor in 1980, a tough achievement indeed. His administrative roles included Head, Dean, Deputy Director, and Officiating Director in 2000. In 2001, he became the founding Director of IIT Roorkee when the University of Roorkee was converted into an IIT, a position he held until his retirement on May 31, 2006.
Prof. Vrat also served as Vice-Chancellor of U.P. Technical University, Lucknow, from July 2006 to July 2009, where he implemented numerous innovations to enhance the quality of technical education in Uttar Pradesh. His international experience includes being an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, U.K. (1975-1976), a Visiting Professor at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok (1985-1986), and Professor and Division Chairman at AIT (1989-1991).
Since his retirement, IIT Delhi has conferred upon him the status of Honorary Professor, which continues to date. He was also Professor of Eminence at MDI, Gurugram (2009-2011), and then Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Eminence at ITM University (now The NorthCap University), Gurugram (2011-2014).
Vision and Strategic Initiatives for IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
Operating as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad, Prof Vrat envisions the institute to eventually become a source of new knowledge, concentrating equally on both research and application. “The vision includes prioritizing a Sustainable 5.0 economy, focusing on digital skills and sustainability to prepare students for the future”, he shares. Adding to his statement, Prof Vrat continues – “The goal is to produce global graduates with T-shaped traits such as collaboration, empathy, enthusiasm, open-mindedness, and vision”.
During the discussion on his roles and responsibilities at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Prof. Vrat emphasized the importance of focusing on new research areas and bringing together top researchers from various disciplines to address society’s pressing problems with innovative solutions. He also highlighted the need to enhance the institute’s global outreach and reputation through international collaborations and to strengthen the alumni network as key priorities.
On a Personal note
Having lived on the campuses of IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, and UPTU, he immersed himself in academics and research 24/7. His passion for teaching and research has always driven him, making the concept of balancing professional and personal life more relevant to those in the corporate world with demanding outcomes and tight schedules. In the academic institutions he has been associated with, such pressures are minimal. For Prof. Vrat, his work is his passion and, by extension, his hobby.
Prof. Vrat’s family life has supported his dedication to academia. With a small family, including one daughter who is now a U.S. citizen, he faced no personal pressures. His wife, a dedicated homemaker, ensured he could focus entirely on his work without dealing with daily home issues. Outside of his academic commitments, Prof. Vrat enjoys reading newspapers, watching news and debates on TV, listening to spiritual songs and bhajans, walking, and practicing limited yoga and pranayama.
Prof. Vrat’s Advice for Aspiring Educators and Academic Leaders
Lastly, after exploring the illustrious and grand life of Prof. Vrat, we asked him if he had any advice for aspiring educators and leaders in the academic world. He shared, “My advice is to remain passionate about teaching and research because education is a nation-building process. The collapse of education may lead to the collapse of the nation. Therefore, feel empowered and enthused as a building block in the process of nation-building. Let the best and brightest of society choose teaching and research as their preferred career options,” he concluded.
