Prafulkumar Udani

Experienced academic leader and technologist with 29 years of R&D experience at ISRO and 5+ years in higher education administration. Strong expertise in technology development and commercialization, particularly in GIS and mobile disaster management systems. Proven track record in NAAC accreditation, university strategic planning, and research promotion. Skilled in implementing NEP 2020, establishing innovation centers, and fostering industry-academic partnerships.

Vice Chancellor - Sankalchand Patel University - Gujarat, India

(2022-01)

Leading a multi-disciplinary university with 14 constituent colleges spanning Engineering, Management, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Medical, Dental, Nursing, Design & Mass Communication, Physiotherapy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Science & Humanities, Commerce, and Diploma Engineering.

• Prepared for NAAC Accreditation and received A-Grade in 2025 with 3.18 CGPA
• Achieved GSIRF (Gujarat State Institution Ranking) 4 Star for University, 5 Star for Dental & Pharmacy College - 2023
• Restructured curriculum and implemented NEP 2020
• Established Section 8 Company & MSME recognized Incubation Centre
• Establishing Centre for AI, Drone, Cybersecurity, EVs, Environment & Pollution Control
• Promotion of Start-ups, Research and Skill Courses
• Academic & Administrative Audits of All Constituent Colleges for NAAC Preparedness and Capacity Building
• Monthly Meetings with HoIs, Deans & Directors for Academic and Development Planning
• Represented SPU at Higher Education Forums & Industry Associations (CII, FICCI, Local Level in Gujarat)
• Strengthened Outreach & Extension Activities
• Closely Monitoring of IQAC and CRI (Centre for Research & Innovation)
• Introduced Examinations & Assessment Reforms
• Capacity Building and Motivation – Faculty and Students of All 14 Constituent Colleges
• Strengthening Ph.D Program & Research as per defined research thrust areas (AI, Automation & Smart Manufacturing, Climate & Sustainability, Prevention & Management of Chronic Diseases, Public Healthcare, Advanced Patient Care)
• MoUs with EdTech for Blended Learning & Improving Program Outcomes
• Planning & Organization of 3 International Conferences (AI & Cybersecurity, Technology Enabled Healthcare, Core Engineering & Management / YEAR)

Director General - CVM University - Gujarat, India

(2021-01 - 2022-12)

2-year contract as Director General overseeing academic and administrative operations of the university.

• Curriculum / Program Integration and started 5 new degree programs and 20 plus minor degree programs for academic vibrancy, flexibility and peer recognition
• Signed MoU with COURSERA for multi-disciplinary education and Industry Certification
• Students Centric Teaching – Learning – Assessment by providing multiple learning and assessment opportunities
• Prepared Strategic Plan 2022-27 for CVM University and guided constituent colleges in preparing their Institute Development Plan
• Start-up and Innovation (Received SSIP Grant from Gujarat Government and IDEA LAB grants from AICTE)
• Research Promotion and constituted focus research groups in domain of Industry 4.0 Technologies, Geospatial Services, Climate & Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Governance & Developmental Studies
• Examination Reforms – Initiated process of decentralization, reduced weightage for end semester examinations and assessment focused on higher order learning
• Technology Transfer & Consultancy (Food Processing, Bio-Lubricant, Industrial Chemistry)
• Initiated process of Academic & Administrative Audits
• Received 121 position in NIRF Ranking and GSIRF 5 Star Ranking for ISTAR and 4 Star Ranking for 4 colleges
• Received NAB Accreditations for engineering programs conducted by GCET & ADIT
• Represented University in Higher Education Conferences, VCs Round Table Discussions and sharing good practices adopted
• Prepared Roadmap for NEP2020 Implementation and Presented during review meeting called by Commissioner of Higher & Technical Education, GoG

Vice Chancellor - Vivekananda Global University - Jaipur, India

(2019-01 - 2020-12)

Vice Chancellor at NAAC A Grade University. Returned to Gujarat due to COVID-19.

• Policy Planning, Revision & Monitoring (Academics, Administration, Research & Consultancy, Finance, Admissions, IT, HR, etc.)
• Started 6 Programs for Academic Vibrancy and Peer / Industry Recognition
• Made TP Cell more effective and started practice of preparing monthly calendar in advance for ensuring good participation and placement
• Reviewed and Revised University Handbook
• Prepared Guidelines for Academic Audit and conducted Academic Audit for all programs
• Promotion and Encouragement for Focused Research and VGU submitted Research Proposals worth more than 5 CR
• Successful Implementation of MOUs and Collaboration Agreements
• ARIIA Ranking – Ranked 1 in Rajasthan and among top 25 in India
• VGU Awarded 4.5 Star for Innovation Cell by Ministry of Education
• Improved Ph.D enrollment and approved 5 PostDoctoral Fellowships
• NAAC Preparation
• Received approval and Grant for ACIC – First Private University in India

Director - ISTAR - Gujarat, India

(2013-01 - 2017-06)

4.5 Years as Director, ISTAR (Ranked No -1 P G Institute by Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat) & 6 Months as Director SICART (Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre-one of the best in country). Managed unique PG programs at ISTAR (NAAC – A Grade).

• Prepared for NAAC Accreditation and obtained A-Grade in first cycle
• Prepared Academic Vision Document for ISTAR
• Started M.Sc. Geoinformatics, M.Sc. Mobile Technology and one year PG Diploma in Geoinformatics at ISTAR
• Taught full paper for MCA, M.Sc. Geoinformatics, M.Sc. Environment Science & M.Sc. IT programs
• Established academic linkage with IIRS-ISRO, LUPIN, Indian Plastic Institute, Vatva Industrial Association, Indian Society of Geomatics, MPCOST-Bhopal, GUIDE-Bhuj, AISECT (Japan) and many Geospatial Technology & Chemical – Polymer Companies
• Formed Coatings & Paints Policy Document for GNFC, Bharuch (Gujarat) - A Special Achievement for Academic Institute
• Started corporate training and sponsored research work
• Resource Faculty for HRDC – S P University & Gujarat University
• Visiting Professor – Physics Dept. Gujarat University (2007-12)
• Ph.D. Guide at C U Shah University (Surendranagar) and one student awarded Ph.D. degree
• Guided Post-Doctoral Scholar for research work pertaining to Applications of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing
• Conducted more than 100 National/ Regional seminars at ISTAR in domain of IT, Geoinformatics, Industrial Chemistry, Surface Coating Technology, Polymer Science, Environment Science & Technology, Instrumentation and Control
• Conducted three International conference for Industrial Hygiene & Safety Department of ISTAR
• Started student chapter of Indian Plastic Institute at ISTAR
• Planning & Resources Mobilization for Workshop, Seminar and Conference
• Started ISG Chapter at V V Nagar and received NRDMS-DST grant of Rs 10 Lakh for conducting 21 Days Winter School on Geospatial Technologies (2015)
• Received ISG grant of Rs 50,000 for conducting State Level Workshop on GIS & Space Technology

Scientist - ISRO (Space Applications Centre) - Ahmedabad, India

(1984-01 - 2013-12)

29 years of R & D experience at Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad. Worked as Deputy Project Director, Project Manager, PI, Convener for Task Team for many National Level Projects of ISRO involving multiple agencies.

• Design & Development of Information Systems (Natural Resources, Emergency Management, Urban Planning, for Central and State Government Departments / Agencies)
• Satellite Navigation System & Applications (H/W, S/W, Applications)
• Satellite Communication Applications (System Design, Tele-education, Tele-medicine, Tele-agriculture, Geospatial Technology Applications)
• MIS - GIS System for Disaster Management (Technology Development, R & D and Project Management)
• IP & GIS Core Software & Applications
• Training & Capacity Building (Geospatial Technology IT, NRM, Disaster Management, SATCOM Societal Services)
• Deputy Project Director, National Database for Emergency Management (Project of ISRO and Ministry of Home Affairs – Govt. of India)
• Project Manager, IGiS Software Development, NRDB Project of ISRO
• PI, Technology Development R & D (Design & Development of Mobile GIS System & Disaster Management Support Applications)
• Project Manager, Mobile NRIS Applications (Developed Client-Server Distributed GIS System and provided training to Scientists and Officials of 17 State Remote Sensing Applications Centers of India)
• Regional Coordinator (In-charge), SATCOM Applications for Rural Development - Village Resource Center Program of ISRO in association with NGO and Expert Institutes
• Convener, Joint Task Team SAC-ISRO & SOI-DST for Development of Datum Conversion Procedure for Natural Resources Databases
• Development of Ground Control Points Library for IRS Mission of ISRO
• Development of Mobile GIS System for Planning and Monitoring of MGNREGA Works

M.Sc. - Electronics - Gujarat University (1981-01 - 1983-04)

Ph.D. - Physics: GIS Based Mobile Disaster Management System - Gujarat University