Dr. Santosh S. Sonavane Vice Chancellor · PCU Pune

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Leadership Journey

27 years in higher education · 17 years in senior leadership

From engineering classrooms to the Vice Chancellor’s office, Dr. Sonavane’s career spans teaching, research leadership, institution building and university governance. Expand any role to see its key contributions.

  1. Nov 2025 – Present Leadership

    Vice Chancellor — PCET’s Pimpri Chinchwad University, Pune

    PCET's Pimpri Chinchwad University, Pune
    Key contributions
    • Member, Governing Body Council; Chairman, Board of Management, Academic Council and University Research Review Committee
    • NEP 2020-aligned, outcome-based and AI-integrated academic framework with flexible CBCS
    • Academic Quality & Accountability Framework; 30% syllabus teaching by industry professionals
    • New programmes in Semiconductor & Quantum Technology, Generative AI, Agentic AI, Cyber Security and more
    • 100+ active industry MoUs; Centres of Excellence with Digitech Robotics and QNX / Pi Square Technology
    • PCU’s first international conference IM3-2026; international partnerships with Japan and South Korea; KOSME Pune Base Camp Center
    • UGC recognition under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956
  2. Apr 2025 – Nov 2025 Leadership

    Chief Operating Officer (COO) — Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune

    Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune
    Key contributions
    • New university establishment at MIT-WPU Goa
    • Oversaw 1,750+ operations staff across 14 non-academic departments
    • Organogram, responsibility portfolios, digitisation and policy development for all operations departments
    • Served 25,000+ students and 1,100 faculty members
  3. Mar 2024 – Apr 2025 Leadership

    Chief Operations Officer (COO) — Modern Education Society (Wadia Group), Pune

    Modern Education Society (Wadia Group), Pune
  4. Oct 2022 – Mar 2024 Leadership

    Dean / Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academics) — Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida

    Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida
    Key contributions
    • Member, Executive Council and Academic Council
    • International accreditations WASC (US), QAA (UK), IET (UK); Chairperson for NAAC Criteria 1 & 2
    • Academic planning and delivery of 400+ programmes for 40,000 students
    • NEP 2020, NCrF, UPHED and UGC guideline implementation with Single and Double Major degrees
  5. Sep 2021 – Oct 2022 Leadership

    Pro-Vice Chancellor — Vijaybhoomi University, Karjat, Greater Mumbai

    Vijaybhoomi University, Karjat, Greater Mumbai
  6. 2018 – Sep 2021 Leadership

    Director – School of Engineering — Symbiosis Skills & Professional University, Pune

    Symbiosis Skills & Professional University, Pune
    Key contributions
    • Member, Board of Management and Academic Council; Chairman, Board of Studies – Mechatronics
    • Developed 11 short-term skill courses and the M.Tech Mechatronics (IoT, AI & Robotics) curriculum
  7. 2015 – 2017 Leadership

    Founding Vice-Chancellor — Ajeenkya DY Patil University, Lohegaon, Pune

    Ajeenkya DY Patil University, Lohegaon, Pune
    Key contributions
    • First Vice-Chancellor of the University
    • Framing of Statutes and Ordinances; HR Manual; University Budget Committee
    • Director, School of Engineering; In-charge Director, School of Law
  8. Jul 2011 – Oct 2018 Leadership

    Director — Dr. D. Y. Patil Technical Campus, Lohegaon, Pune (seven institutes)

    Dr. D. Y. Patil Technical Campus, Lohegaon, Pune (seven institutes)
    Key contributions
    • Centres of Excellence in every department with industry
    • Industry–Institute Interaction, Consultancy, Training & Placement and Alumni Cells
    • Best Emerging College Placements – Gold Ranking, AICTE-CII Survey 2016
  9. Apr 2009 – Jul 2011 Leadership

    Professor & Dean (R&D) — MAEER’s MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune

    MAEER's MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune
    Key contributions
    • Department of Electronics Engineering
    • Registered Ph.D. guide, University of Pune, from April 2011
  10. Jul 2006 – Apr 2009

    Assistant Professor — JSPM’s Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering, Tathawade, Pune

    JSPM's Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering, Tathawade, Pune
  11. Aug 1999 – Jun 2006

    Assistant Professor / Lecturer — Pravara Engineering College, Loni

    Pravara Engineering College, Loni
  12. Jul 1998 – Aug 1999

    Production Engineer — Sivananda Electronics, Nashik

    Sivananda Electronics, Nashik