Dr. Archana Mantri is the Vice-Chancellor at Chitkara University, Rajpura Punjab. She is a Ph.D. in Electronics and Communication Engineering with 30 years of experience in Industry, Research, Development, Training, Academics, and Administration of Institutes of Higher Technical Education. She is a pedagogical innovator, is an expert in outcome-based-education and has spearheaded Problem and Project based learning initiatives at the university in the past - before moving to heading the research vertical. Incidentally, she is also the pioneer in immersive and Interactive Technologies related research in India. Dr Mantri has been featured in the “Rising to the Top – first edition” which entails stories of 32 inspiring women engineers from around the world. 

Chitkara University

What is your philosophy of leadership?

“Any deed, conceived with good intentions and performed with passion can do the magic of achieving the goals”

I focus on three sutras given by Lord Krishna in Bhagwad Geeta – 1. People first, goals next; 2. Focus on actions and not results and 3. Think beyond the obvious. Goals, actions, resources, wealth, creation, families – all of them can be classified as good, passionate, and evil. Intentions are the classifying parameter. 

What can an inbound student gain from studying here at your university?

“A life-changing and intellectually stimulating experience by being at our campus”

We have invited students to our University for research internships, academic and cultural exchanges from around the world. For all inbound students, our Office of International Affairs (OIA) ensures their safety & security and further ensure a comfortable environment of learning. Our Chitkara University Language center (CULC) takes care of any language barriers they may have. 

How does the curriculum of CHITKARA University ensure the best practice of industry?

“Our curriculum is not only co-designed with industry standards but is led by industry itself”

All our programs are designed, delivered, and assessed in collaboration with the flagship industry(ies) of that domain. For example, our Health Sciences Programs are launched in association with Fortis Health Care. MBA in Events, Media, and Entertainment is in collaboration with Wizcraft, MBA in Waste Management and social entrepreneurship is with MGNCRE. A 360-degree involvement ensures industry best practices are intricately interlaced at all levels from design to outcomes. 

What do you think your roles and responsibilities to the University and the students are?

“I want to see that the students graduate from our University as good, educated citizens, not merely knowledgeable individuals”

Ours is a people’s university and we keep people ahead of our goals. My role at the university is to drive the vision of our founders as a mission; empowering the leadership team to derive goals from the mission and motivate them to achieve them with zeal and passion. We give our students a lot of platforms (curricular and Co-curricular) to perform and explore their potential. The choice-based credit system is followed in letter and spirit at our University. 

Check Chitkara University Courses & Fees

What do you think should be the University’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“Focus on ethical research practices and nurture innovative minds”

  • We established Chitkara University Research and Innovation Network (CURIN) and CEED (Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development) for this purpose. 
  • IPR cell was also established, under which University provides financial (100% patent filing fee is borne by the University and 90% commercial rights are with the innovators) and mentoring support to the budding innovators. 
  • We have nurtured over 100 start-ups and the count is increasing by the day. 
  • We have crossed 1500 research publications by the University faculty members. All these initiatives, in turn, develop deep inquisitiveness in the students’ minds. 
  • The other priority area is to make the university a zero energy campus.

What would you like people to know about your university they may not know?

“We have been raked in the 6-25 rank band of ARIIA ranking by MoE, indicating that ours is one of the most innovative universities of the country”

Today we are a well-known brand in the region – not only because of the 100% placement record but also for the quality education that we provide. During COVID-19 lockdown also, there was not a single day delay in any of the academic sessions across the university. Such is an example of the outcome of the work that we follow as passion.

What are some of the biggest challenges you see for higher education?

“To be able to successfully handle the evolution of educational is an existing challenge” 

Higher education in India is going through an unprecedented phase of enormous transformation. Even after the transformations, will we be able to regain our pride as Vishwaguru? I see that as the biggest challenge for the Higher Education system of India. To conduct world-class research at the University requires pumping in enormous financial resources. To sustain the inflow of money for setting up the world-class research facilities – I see that as the biggest challenge for our University.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

“Believe in your roots, heritage, and family values as Indians”

Aspire to do at least one deed in your lifetime, which will make your parents, family, and alma mater proud. It is not enough to live a life only for yourself but to make a positive difference to at least one more life on this earth.

Read Chitkara University Placement

What are some aspiring plans for your University’s international affairs and students?

“Global collaborations with academic and research institutions for giving international exposure to every single student of the University”

We earnestly want to give all our students an international experience at least once in their student life. This is very important, because our students are going to be global netizens. For this, we are aggressively tying up with our global partners to give a meaningful experience to our students by inviting their faculty members to our campus. Our center for Global Education has recently launched niche global programs with the best universities across Canada and Australia in Software Engineering, Culinary Management, Business Administration, and Healthcare.