Dr. Rajul K. Gajjar
Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University (GTU)
Dr. Rajul K. Gajjar is an eminent academic leader and a distinguished figure in the field of engineering education, with over four decades of experience in academia, research, and administration. She has significantly contributed to the advancement of engineering and technical education in India.
She holds a Doctorate in Structural Disasters from M.S. University, Baroda, along with her UG and PG degrees from L.D. College of Engineering. Throughout her career, Dr. Gajjar has been a driving force behind academic excellence, research, innovation, industry collaborations, and skill development.
Academic and Research Contributions
Dr. Gajjar has an extensive research background with over 66 National and International Research Publications, four authored books, and three granted patents to her credit. She has supervised more than 30 PG and 8 Doctoral students and led over 38 high-impact projects, covering areas such as international collaborations, Centers of Excellence, research innovation, accreditation, and ranking frameworks for excellence in engineering education.
Her contributions to research and innovation are evident in GTU’s outstanding achievements, including publishing 160+ patents, 1,700 registered Ph.D. scholars, and publishing 683 research articles in SCI journals. Under her leadership, GTU has received ?18.5 crore in IP funding, reinforcing the university’s position as a research-driven institution.
Leadership and Administrative Roles
Before assuming the role of Vice Chancellor at GTU, Dr. Gajjar served as the Principal of L.D. College of Engineering and other Government Engineering Colleges in Gujarat. She also held key administrative positions such as Additional Commissioner of the Education Department, Government of Gujarat and Officiating Vice Chancellor of the Teacher’s University.
Transformative Initiatives at GTU
Under her visionary leadership, GTU has achieved several national and international accolades:
- Securing a 5-Star Rating in the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF).
- Ranking among the top 100 universities under the "State Public University" category and top 50 under the "Innovation Category" in NIRF 2024.
- Spearheading GTU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through GTU Ventures, nurturing over 750 startups.
- Strengthening industry-academia partnerships through GTU SKILLS (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Kendra for Industry & Lifelong Learning Skills) to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
- Leading GTU’s global engagement programs, fostering collaborations with Canada, Germany, Australia, and the USA, and promoting International Experience Programs (IEP), Dual Degree Programs, and Global Internships.
Recognitions and Awards
Dr. Gajjar’s contributions have been widely recognized at the national level:
- Honored with the prestigious ISTE Fellowship at the 54th ISTE National Faculty Convention for her contribution to technical education in the country
- Eminent Civil Engineer Award by the Institution of Engineers India
- Leadership Award by NASSCOM
- Best Innovation Practices Award by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat
- International Recognition at Vibrant Education Summit by the Hon’ble HRD Minister.
- Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Citation Award for Leadership in Academic Excellence and AI by ReThink India.
National & Global Contributions
Dr. Gajjar actively serves on National Committees for NEP 2020 Implementation, focusing on industry-integrated experiential learning, digital transformation, and multidisciplinary education. She closely collaborates with NBA, AICTE, professional bodies, and research organizations to shape India’s higher education landscape.
With extensive international exposure in the USA, Canada, Australia, Hungary, Austria, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, she continues to champion global academic collaborations, innovation-driven policies, and future-ready education models.
Her leadership and vision are paving the way for GTU’s transformation into a globally recognized center for academic and technological excellence.