Prof. (Dr.) Dhaval Pujara

Provost (Vice Chancellor)

Brief Profile:

Professor Dhaval Pujara is an accomplished academic leader, passionate teacher, and active researcher with nearly three decades of multifaceted experience in premier educational and research institutions of India. Widely admired by students and deeply respected by peers, he is known for his visionary leadership and impactful contributions to higher education. He currently serves as the Pro-Vost (Vice Chancellor) of Adani University, Ahmedabad.

Prof. Pujara earned his B.E. in Electronics Engineering from S P University and M.Tech. in Microwaves & Radar Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, and completed his doctoral research at the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad.

His professional journey spans both academia and industry. After an early stint in industry and government service, he joined Nirma University, Ahmedabad, where he served for nearly 25 years in key academic and administrative roles. These included Founder Director (Research and Innovation), Dean (Faculty of Doctoral Studies and Research), Deputy Director (Academic Development and Research Cell), Mentor (Centre for Quality Assurance and Academic Development), and Head (Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering).

Subsequently, he served as Director of the School of Technology at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), Gandhinagar, where he led the University’s largest school with over 5,000 students. During his tenure as Director, he introduced several transformative initiatives that significantly enhanced academic quality and visibility.

Beyond academia, Prof. Pujara has contributed to governance and policy. The Government of Gujarat appointed him as Independent Director of Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (a subsidiary of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited).

A dedicated academician, Prof. Pujara has extensive teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has authored over 100 research papers in journals and conferences, supervised seven Ph.D. scholars and more than 25 Master’s dissertations, and successfully executed several funded projects, consultancy assignments, and professional training programs.

His outstanding contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including:
  • Best Engineering College Teacher (2004) of the Gujarat State by the ISTE, New Delhi.
  • Young Scientist Award (2011) – International Union of Radio Science (URSI).
  • IETE – Smt. Ranjana Pal Memorial Award (2015) for contributions to RF & Antennas.
  • Best Professor Award (2015) – Institute of Technology, Nirma University.
  • US Fulbright Fellowship (2016).
  • Academic Excellence Award (2017) – Higher Education Forum, Mumbai.
  • Recognition Award (2022) – Wireless, Antennas, and Microwave Society (WAMS), India.
  • Dr. Sudhakar Rao National Award (2024) – IETE, for contributions in RF & Antenna Engineering.

Prof. Pujara has held significant leadership roles in professional societies. He is the National President of WAMS, Vice-Chair of the IEEE AP/MTT-S Joint Chapter (Gujarat Section), Senior Member of IEEE (USA), Life Member of ISTE, IETE, and IEI. He has also served on NAAC peer teams for accreditation of colleges and universities across India, reflecting his deep engagement with quality assurance and university rankings.

He is a sought-after speaker, having delivered more than 300 invited lectures and workshops on research, pedagogy, life skills, quality in higher education, accreditation, outcome-based education, and global ranking frameworks. His sustained commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and institutional development continues to inspire students, faculty, and fellow leaders alike.