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.
Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Vice Chancellor of, MAHE, Manipal, brings with him over three decades of distinguished service as an academic leader, clinician and administrator at MAHE. Currently serving as the Pro Vice‑Chancellor (Health Sciences), he has played a pivotal role in advancing academic excellence, strengthening research ecosystem, and enhancing clinical education across the University’s health science institutions.
An alumnus of Kasturba Medical College, Dr. Rao completed his MBBS, D. Ortho, and MS in Orthopaedics and has been associated with MAHE since 1988. His academic journey reflects a steady progression through teaching, research, and leadership roles, including Professor and Head of Unit, Head of the Department of Orthopaedics, Associate Dean and Dean, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal.
As Dean of KMC Manipal (2019–2023), he led significant curriculum expansion, launching multiple super‑speciality and broad‑speciality programmes, strengthening accreditation processes, and substantially increasing postgraduate and super‑speciality seat capacity. His tenure was marked by a strong focus on academic reforms, faculty development and institutional excellence.
As Pro Vice‑Chancellor (Health Sciences), Dr. Rao has provided strategic leadership across MAHE’s health science institutions, resulting in notable growth in high‑quality research publications, patents, PhD enrolments and externally funded research grants, while fostering inter‑institutional collaboration and global partnerships.
An internationally renowned Orthopaedic surgeon and academician, he has undergone advanced training in Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy & Australia and has served in several national and international professional bodies in prominent roles. He is a prolific researcher with more than 100 publications to his credit.
Dr. Rao was Conferred the honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians – FRCP, London in the year 2025, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to medical leadership and healthcare management.
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 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.
Major General (Dr.) Jacob brings with him over 36 years of distinguished service in the Armed Forces Medical Services, encompassing excellence in clinical practice, medical education, research and large-scale healthcare administration. A seasoned Anaesthesiologist and Critical Care Specialist, he has devoted more than three decades to advancing patient care in high-acuity environments, while also contributing significantly to academic and institutional development.
He holds MBBS and MD in Anaesthesiology and Critical Care from the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, along with a DNB in Anaesthesiology and Membership of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (MNAMS). His commitment to continuous learning and multidisciplinary expertise is further reflected in his additional qualifications, including Executive Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Administration (TISS, Mumbai), Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics (National Law School of India University, Bengaluru), Fellow American College of Emergency Medicine Experts and Certification in Geriatric Medicine and training in Strategic Defence Management.
With a Fellowship in Advanced Medical Education, he has been actively driving innovation and excellence in medical education. He is a passionate teacher and mentor, committed to developing future healthcare professionals through academic leadership and evidence-based training.
He has remained at the forefront of resuscitation education and emergency preparedness, serving as Course Director for ATLS India and ACLS programs, contributing significantly to capacity building and clinical competency across healthcare institutions. He has also served as a Visiting Professor at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, contributing to interdisciplinary teaching and academic advancement.
Throughout his career, Dr. Jacob has combined academic rigor with institutional leadership. He has served as a Professor of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, with over 14 years of experience in academic roles, including teaching, postgraduate training, curriculum development and mentoring students. He has also served as an examiner for MD and DNB programmes and has contributed to academic literature through over 35 publications in national and international journals, in addition to guiding several postgraduate dissertations.
In leadership capacities, he has served as Director/Commandant and Chief Executive Officer of multiple premier tertiary care hospitals within the Armed Forces, including Command Hospital, Chandigarh (870-bedded flagship teaching hospital), Base Hospital – Guwahati and Army Institute of Cardiothoracic Sciences (AICTS), Pune. In these roles, he has led complex, multi-specialty healthcare institutions, overseeing clinical governance, academic programs, human resources, financial management, infrastructure development and quality systems. His tenure has been marked by several transformative initiatives, including – Establishment of bone marrow transplant and renal transplant programmes, Expansion of super-specialty departments and advanced surgical services, Modernization of ICUs, modular operation theatres, and oncology facilities, Creation and expansion of postgraduate training (DNB) programs across multiple specialties and Strengthening of organ retrieval and transplant services, earning national recognition. He also served as a NABH Assessor. Additionally, he serves as a Governing Council Member of the Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO), where he contributes to advancing patient safety, healthcare quality and accreditation standards across hospitals. His work reflects a strong commitment to aligning healthcare delivery with national standards and global best practices.
His distinguished service has been widely recognized and was awarded the prestigious Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) by the Hon’ble President of India in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the Armed Forces and healthcare services.
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. Anand Venugopal, Chief Operating Officer – Teaching Hospitals, MAHE & Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal brings with over two decades of rich experience in clinical practice, hospital administration and academic leadership. A proud alumnus of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, he completed his MBBS from the institution and went on to pursue his post-graduation in Radiodiagnosis and Imaging from JJM Medical College, Davangere. He began his career as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiodiagnosis at KMC, Mangalore in the year 2000. Over the years, Dr. Anand has served in various academic and administrative responsibilities at both KMC Mangalore and Manipal.
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. Debasis Pradhan served as a Professor of Marketing at XLRI Jamshedpur from 2006 until his appointment at TAPMI. A graduate of Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, and the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), he has held several academic leadership positions, including Associate Dean (Executive Education) and Chairperson of the Department of Marketing for two terms. He also contributes to higher education governance through his service on the academic boards of Central University of Jharkhand and Xavier University, as a member of a Strategic Academic Advisory Board, and on the Academic Council of IRMA, Anand.
With over two decades of academic experience and a distinguished publication record comprising more than 30 articles in leading Tier A and A* journals—including Psychology & Marketing, European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Advertising, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Consumer Affairs, International Marketing Review, Journal of Brand Management, Journal of Consumer Behaviour, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, Journal of Marketing Communications, and Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics—he brings subject-matter expertise, academic leadership experience, and editorial acumen. His research lies at the intersection of technology and consumer well-being, consumer–brand–machine interaction, influencer marketing and brand activism, and consumer engagement, addressing issues central to advancing inclusive and globally relevant consumer research.
Additionally, he serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Management and Labour Studies, a fifty-year-old management journal published by Sage. He also serves as Area Editor for Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, published by Springer Nature. Recently, he co-edited a special issue of the Journal of Consumer Affairs on “Pandemics and Consumer Well-Being” and a special issue of Electronic Markets on “Digital Influence in the Platform Economy.” In addition, he serves as a reviewer for several leading journals in marketing and management.
Prof. Pradhan has delivered research talks at leading universities across the globe, including the University of Sydney, Singapore Management University, the University of Michigan, the University of Cologne, Rice University, London Business School, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Rome, the University of Almería, and the University of Leeds, among others. Over the past two decades, he has also trained senior executives from numerous public-sector undertakings and leading private-sector organizations.
Dr. Pradhan has supervised more than a dozen doctoral scholars, many of whom now hold faculty positions at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and leading universities in Europe. Through his extensive academic networks spanning Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America, and his growing engagement with global consumer psychology and anti-consumption academic communities such as the Society for Consumer Psychology (SCP) and the International Centre for Anti-Consumption Research (ICAR), he actively contributes to shaping agendas relevant to the Global South.
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.
