TAPMI Manipal operates under the visionary guidance of MAHE (Manipal Academy of Higher Education), drawing strength from its legacy and institutional support. TAPMI’s strategic objectives align with MAHE’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and societal impact. TAPMI actively contributes to MAHE’s broader mission by advancing high-impact management education, research, and practice that prepare future-ready leaders for a dynamic global landscape.
Shri Ramdas Madhava Pai is the Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). He earned his MBBS from Karnatak University and a Master of Health Administration from Temple University. After returning to Manipal in 1961, he managed Kasturba Hospital and later took over the Manipal Education and Medical Group leadership following his father, Shri T M A Pai’s passing in 1979. Under his guidance, MAHE achieved deemed university status in 1993 and expanded significantly. Recognized for his contributions to education and healthcare, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2011.
Shri Ranjan Pai is an Indian entrepreneur, medical doctor, and chairman of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), a global conglomerate in education, healthcare, and research. A graduate of Kasturba Medical College, Dr. Pai transformed MEMG into a $3 billion enterprise, operating universities and hospitals worldwide. Committed to quality education and affordable healthcare, he continues to expand his family’s legacy with a strong philanthropic vision.
Dr. Hebri Subhaskrishna Ballal is a distinguished Indian radiologist and academician currently serving as the Pro-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). Dr. Ballal completed his MBBS from Mysore Medical College, followed by DMRD and MD degrees in radio-diagnosis from Government Medical College, Bangalore. He began his career as a lecturer in Radiology at KMC Mangalore and has held various administrative positions, significantly contributing to MAHE’s growth. With over five decades of service, his leadership has played a pivotal role in advancing medical education and healthcare services in India.
Lieutenant General (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh is a distinguished medical professional and academic leader, serving as the seventh Vice Chancellor of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) since July 1, 2020. A graduate of Mysore Medical College (1978), he was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in 1979 and later earned his MS in Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) from Mumbai University in 1986. Recognized as a pioneer in cochlear implant surgery, he has received specialized training in Cochlear Implantation and Neurotology in India and abroad. With a career spanning 38 years in the armed forces, Dr. Venkatesh held numerous academic and administrative positions, notably at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, where he trained undergraduate and postgraduate students and played a key role in establishing the Department of Medical Education Technology. He has been a member of the Medical Advisory Council for the National Medical Commission and the General Assembly of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). As Vice Chancellor of MAHE, he continues to contribute significantly to medical education and healthcare, driving academic excellence and innovation in the field.
Dr. Narayana Sabhahit, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Technology & Science) at MAHE, Manipal, has over 34 years of experience in teaching, research, and administration. He holds a B.E. from NIE Mysore and an M. Tech and Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from IIT Kanpur. Since joining MIT in 1988, he has served in key leadership roles, including Head of Civil Engineering, Joint Director of MIT, Director of Admissions, and Registrar of MAHE. His research in ground improvement, earth reinforcement, and slope stability has led to over 25 publications. A recipient of the Prof. Leonards Award, he is a member of several professional societies and continues to drive academic excellence and innovation at MAHE.
Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at MAHE, Manipal, is a renowned orthopaedic surgeon specializing in trauma, joint replacement, and knee arthroscopy. He earned his MBBS from Mysore University (1985) and MS in Orthopaedics from Mangalore University (1988). With a career spanning several decades at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, he has served as Head of Orthopaedics, Associate Dean, and Dean before assuming his current role. A former President of the Karnataka Orthopaedic Association, he has over 100 indexed publications and continues to shape orthopaedics and medical education at MAHE.
Dr Madhu Veeraraghavan is a distinguished academician and administrator, currently serving as the Pro Vice Chancellor for Management, Law, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), overseeing its Manipal and Bangalore campuses. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Mumbai, an MBA in Finance and Investments from Griffith University, and a Ph.D. in Finance from Griffith University, Australia. Before joining TAPMI in 2013 as a Professor of Finance, he was a Professor and Head of the Finance Department at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He became the Director of TAPMI in April 2017, holding the T A Pai Chair Professor of Finance and the Dr. TMA Pai Endowment Chair in Management Research until 2023, after which he assumed his current role at MAHE. His research interests lie in corporate finance and behavioral finance, and he has contributed extensively to academia through publications and journal refereeing. He strongly advocates aligning business education with institutional missions and societal impact, reinforcing his influence in finance education and institutional leadership in India and internationally.
Dr. Dilip G. Naik is the Pro Vice Chancellor of the Mangalore Campus at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and a Professor in the Department of Periodontology at the Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Mangalore. He completed his B.D.S. in 1983 and M.D.S. in Periodontology in 1986 from MCODS, Manipal. From 1991 to 1999, he worked as a Lecturer in Periodontics at Al-Arab Medical University, Libya, before returning to India to serve as Associate Dean of MCODS, Mangalore, in 1999. In July 2012, he was promoted to Dean, a role he held until 2020 when he became Pro Vice-Chancellor. With over two decades of administrative experience, Dr. Naik played a key role in MCODS, Mangalore, ranking among the top five private dental colleges in India for three consecutive years. His leadership has been instrumental in promoting academic excellence and advancing dental education at MAHE.
Dr. Raviraja N. Seetharam, Chief Operating Officer of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) since July 2024, is a seasoned scientist and academic leader with over 27 years of research experience. He holds an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biosciences from Mangalore University and an MBA in Operations Management. His career spans academia and industry, with postdoctoral research at Mount Allison University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he later became a faculty member. He also led Stempeutics Research Pvt. Ltd. before joining MAHE in 2020 as Director of Corporate Relations. He later served as Director of Planning & Monitoring and Professor at the Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research. With over 75 peer-reviewed articles, six patents, and research projects funded by global organizations, he is a key figure in advancing MAHE’s strategic growth and operational excellence.
Dr. P. Giridhar Kini is the Registrar of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), a role he assumed on December 1, 2022. His association with MAHE dates back to 1999 when he began his academic career as a Lecturer at the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2012, he was deputed to Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) as the Head of the Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, where he played a key role in setting up undergraduate and postgraduate laboratories. From 2013 to 2017, he served as the Associate Director (Industrial Liaison, Placement & Practice School) at MIT Manipal, strengthening industry connections and significantly increasing recruitment from Fortune 500 companies. In 2018, he was appointed Director of Admissions at MAHE, ensuring a seamless admissions process, even during the pandemic. Dr. Kini holds a B.E., M.Tech., and Ph.D., with research interests in electrical machinery, energy management, photovoltaic systems, and power quality. He has authored over 15 publications, including three IEEE papers, and has guided two Ph.D. students. With his extensive academic and administrative experience, he continues to contribute significantly to MAHE’s growth and excellence.
Dr. Rajeev Kumra is the Director of the T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) in Manipal, Karnataka, a role he assumed on January 2, 2024. Before this, he was a Professor of Marketing at the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIML), where he held key positions such as Dean of the Noida Campus (2018-2020) and Dean of International Relations (2016-2019). His academic contributions focus on marketing, workplace spirituality, and consumer behavior, with numerous research publications earning significant citations.
He was awarded eleven times as “Best Faculty of IIM-Lucknow” in a row, which is a record in India, apart from awards of “Best Faculty of IIM-Jammu,”; “Best Elective,”; “Best Core Course,” and “Best Marketing Elective.” In total, 22 awards have been received in the “Best Faculty” category across various IIMs. He has taught in 6 countries abroad, including Kelly Business School, USA; Kedge Business School, France; MIP Politecnico di Milano, Italy; and American University of Dubai, Dubai.
His training courses for Chief Marketing Officers, Marketing Heads, and Sales Heads are quite popular and receive the highest feedback. He has trained 5000+ managers and more than 400+ companies, including CEOs, Founders, and IRS officers. He sits on the board and is an advisor to 6 companies and universities. He has provided strategic consultancy to more than 26 private and public sector companies and the Government of India. His clients include Luminous India, Abbott Pharmaceuticals, Lafarge Cement, Mahindra Finance, Groz, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and SPMCIL, to name a few. He has also served on advisory boards, including Sharda University, contributing to management education development. Under his leadership, TAPMI continues strengthening its global standing, emphasizing quality education and international exposure.
Dr. Vinod V. Thomas is the Registrar of Evaluation at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), overseeing academic assessments and ensuring academic integrity. An alumnus of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), he earned his bachelor’s in electrical engineering in 1983, followed by an M. Tech and Ph.D. from IIT Madras. Since joining MIT in 1983, he has held various leadership roles, including Head of the Electrical & Electronics Engineering Department, Associate Director (Academics & Development), Joint Director, and Director of MIT. A senior IEEE member and Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, his research focuses on Electrical Machines, Power Electronics, and Drives. He has received accolades such as the Distinguished Alumnus Award from MIT and recognition for 25 years of service at MAHE. Under his leadership, MAHE became the first university to digitize its examination process, enhancing efficiency and transparency fully. His contributions continue to shape MAHE’s academic excellence and innovation.
Established in 1981, TAPMI has been at the forefront of management education, shaping future leaders through academic excellence, innovation, and real-world learning. With a commitment to nurturing global wealth creators and industry-ready professionals, we continuously benchmark ourselves against the best. Guided by our core values—Excellence, Trust, Honesty, Innovation, Commitment, and Student-Centricity—we foster a culture of ethics, sustainability, and transformative learning.
