Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani has launched the Centre for Leadership in Education and Academic Development (LEAD), a permanent platform aimed at strengthening leadership capacity across India’s higher education sector.
The Centre was formally launched at the valedictory ceremony of the second cohort of the LEAD Academics Programme at the BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus. The six-month programme brought together 43 senior academic leaders from government and private higher education institutions across India.
Focus on institutional leadership
The LEAD Academics Programme is designed to equip university leaders with knowledge, leadership models and practical skills to address emerging challenges facing higher education institutions.
Over six months, participants engaged in case studies, book discussions, reflective exercises and flipped classroom sessions, with the programme focusing on leadership, institutional governance, academic development and decision-making.
Commenting on the launch of the Centre, BITS Pilani Group Vice Chancellor Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao said the institution aims to create opportunities for academic leaders to engage with emerging challenges in higher education, reflect on institutional practices and develop approaches that can contribute to stronger and more effective institutions.
Experienced mentors and peer learning
The programme featured experienced mentors, including former Vice-Chancellors, heads of national institutions and senior policymakers. They shared their experiences of managing higher education institutions and addressing organisational challenges.
The interactions enabled participants to reflect on their own leadership approaches and understand different perspectives on organisational management.
The programme also sought to build a continuing peer network among participants. The second cohort brought together academic leaders from diverse institutional contexts, providing opportunities to exchange experiences and engage on common challenges facing higher education.
Leadership as personal transformation
R. Subrahmanyam, IAS (Retd.), Professor of Practice at BITS Pilani and former Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India, said leadership begins with one’s own transformation towards becoming more empathetic.
LEAD Centre to address evolving challenges
The launch of the LEAD Centre comes as higher education institutions face changes across academic governance, research and entrepreneurship, institutional development, student support and global engagement.
Prof. P. Sankar Ganesh, Founding Head of the LEAD Centre and Professor at BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, said the Centre aims to strengthen leadership capabilities by bringing academic leaders together for sustained learning and peer exchange.
The Centre is expected to provide a continuing platform for academic leaders to learn from each other and develop approaches to navigating an increasingly complex and evolving higher education landscape.
The second cohort of the LEAD Academics Programme marks the completion of a six-month leadership development journey for 43 senior academic leaders, while the launch of the LEAD Centre provides a permanent institutional platform to continue this engagement.