Biography
Dr. Neerja Gupta is presently working as the Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Formerly Dr. Gupta successfully shouldered the responsibility as Vice Chancellor of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, M.P., India.
She has also worked as Principal of Bhavan’s College, Gujarat and has been instrumental in the development the Department of Foreign Studies at Gujarat University Ahmedabad. Dr. Gupta’s credentials include a doctorate degree in English. She has about thirty-nine years of academic, research and administrative experience. She is the Chief Editor of Bharatiya Manyaprad, an international research journal published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
Her Academic excellence is complemented with her proficient knowledge in two foreign languages Russian and Greek apart from nine Indian languages such as Hindi, Sanskrit, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Assamese, Urdu, Oriya, Pali and Prakrit. She has authored 24 books and has more than 60 publications including research papers, Journal articles, Conference articles, book chapters, book reviews on varied subjects. Under her guidance 29 students have successfully completed their Ph. D. As a distinguished academician and administrator, she plays a key role as a designated member of several distinguished Board and Executive councils of various reputed Universities and Government bodies.
She has completed several research projects funded by various national and international funding agencies. Her major areas of interest and proficiency include literature of English, Sanskrit, Pali, Gujrati, Hindi, Indian poetics, Indology, Ancient Hindu Sanskriti, Pravasi and Migration Studies, Gandhian Thought, Indian Culture and Faith, Migratory Art and the music and, she is also trained in Classical Dance (Kathak).
She was the Principal Director of the team constituted on Jammu and Kashmir as special region by Ministry of Home Affairs and the finding were substantially used towards the abrogation of Article of 370 in Jammu and Kashmir by Government of India. She has travelled extensively for about 67 times and has visited 48 countries for academic and strategic purposes.
As a researcher of international repute, she has varied research collaborations both within and outside country. She has participated in over 400 national and international research-oriented conferences. As an outstanding researcher, she has delivered invited talks, Keynotes and speeches in many conferences, workshops, refresher, and orientation courses both within and outside India. Some of the other key roles as a member of the Inter-Religious Dialogue Committee constituted by the revered Pope and spokesperson of the Citizenship Amendment Act.
She is also member of Medical Council of India and Chairperson of Indovation Centers for AICTE. She is International Academic Chair for largest apex NRI organisation GOPIO. She is also the nodal officer for International Buddhist Circuit Committee.
Prof. Gupta is the recipient of several prestigious awards: Bharat Kirtiman Padak 2023 from World Books of Records, London, Lifetime Achievement Award from Udgam trust, Aaj Ka Karmveer Award -2022; National Talent search Award from ICCA 2020, Bharat Manthan Award-2020, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Rashtriya Sanman for Contribution in Diaspora Studies-2017, Shiksha Bharati Puruskar-2011, Best Multiple President-2001 by Lions Clubs Dist. 323. She has been invited under Mission education to visit Canadian State Universities, Japan, Nepal, Mauritius, U.K. and several East Africa and Arab countries as an educational delegation from India.
She has played an active role in disaster relief in Gujarat earthquake, Kashmir Floods, Sri Lanka Tsunami, and Uttarakhanda Flash Floods,
Her theme paper on G-20 found a special mention by Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat on 29th January 2023 as the part of published book India the Mother of Democracy.
PROF. JAGDISH S. JOSHI
Director Centre for Distance & Online EducationBiography
Dr. Jagdish S. Joshi, Ex. Officiating Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University, is a Professor & Director at UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (UGC-MMTTC), James Reaney Canadian Centre, Online Teaching-Learning & Communication Cell, Director of Centre for Distance and Online Education, Office for International Affairs & Head of Department of Linguistics of Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. He is the Chairperson (Nominated by Hon. Governor of M.P.) of the Search Committee for the appointment of the Ombudsperson (Lokpal) of M P Government. He is the president of Indian Association for Canadian Studies. He is a Coordinator of MHRD-ARPIT (Annual Refresher Programme in English Language Teaching) and National Testing Agency, MoE. He is closely associated with various national and international professional bodies and actively engaged in teaching, training, research, e- content development, translation, editing, compilation, consultancy, and social activities.
Dr Joshi has been imparting professional training to college and university teachers, administrative officers of universities and colleges, research scholars, principals etc. since 2005. He was felicitated with National Award for Education by United Nations Organization (UNO) in 2006. He visited about 21 countries namely US, Canada, China, Germany, UK, South Korea, Austria, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Russia, Dubai, UAE, Muscat, Thailand, Nepal, Hongkong, Mauritius, Vietnam etc. for various academic assignments.
He is a member of International Council of Canadian Studies-Canada, Executive Council of Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute-New Delhi, apart from a member of Executive Council, Board of Management and Academic Councils of various universities. He is the Chairman of Board of Studies of English, Gujarat University; Convener of BoS of International Studies, Diaspora, and Migration Studies & Linguistics and a member of BoS of different universities. He has published 1 patent, authored or edited about 17 books and 87 research papers. 19 Ph. D. Scholars were awarded Ph.D. degree under his supervision. He has designed about 557 courses. He regularly contributes to T.V., Radio, Satellite Programs, e-journals, websites and academic journals. He visited various institutions as the chairperson of NAAC Peer Team. He, as a Principal Investigator, has completed Major Research Project funded and awarded by UGC. His ARPIT 2019 SWAYAM Programme stood second amongst all the ARPIT Programmes in India with 9000 participants. He has organized about 134 Online STC on E- Content Development. He has participated in LEAP program jointly organized by Harvard University, USA and NIEPA, New Delhi. He has more than 24 years of experience of working in Higher Education including 12 years as a full University Professor.