Dr. Rajiv R. Thakur, the Perfectionist Learner,
Every leader has a story.
Dr. Rajiv R. Thakur’s story begins in the quiet lanes of Madhubani and Mahnar in Vaishali, Bihar, where curiosity was his constant companion and learning his earliest joy. From a small-town dreamer to the Vice Chancellor of Mandsaur University, his life has been a journey shaped by discipline, humility, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
A Childhood Rooted in Values
Growing up in a family that believed in education as a path of dignity, young Rajiv learned early that success demands sincerity, and leadership demands character. These values stayed with him—from classrooms in Ranchi to lecture halls in Delhi University—and eventually formed the foundation of his life’s guiding principle:
“Whatever you do, do it well, and do it with purpose.”
The Corporate Chapter That Changed Everything
Before academia found him, he found the corporate world.
At The Statesman and later The Times Group, he spent over a decade witnessing—and shaping—the transformation of India’s media landscape. He lived the high-pressure rhythm of deadlines, market battles, and strategic change.
When The Times Group dethroned its biggest competitor in NCR, he wasn’t just a spectator—he was part of the movement.
This experience, he often says, became his greatest classroom, teaching him real strategy, real competition, and real leadership.
A Shift Toward Purpose
But something deeper was calling.
Leaving a flourishing corporate career, Dr. Thakur entered academia—not for predictability, but for purpose. He wanted to build institutions, shape young minds, and contribute to a sector that influences the very future of a nation.
From GITAM Visakhapatnam to Jaipuria Jaipur, from Jaipuria Noida to MIT-WPU Pune, from IMT Ghaziabad to IIM Jammu, he grew not just in designation, but in understanding:
That education is not only about degrees—
it is about direction.
Not only about teaching—
but about transforming.
His leadership tenure at Jaipuria Noida, where he envisioned and steered the campus toward becoming a Top 50 B-School, remains one of his most defining chapters. Similarly, his role in establishing IMT Dubai and contributing to AACSB accreditation deepened his passion for building academic ecosystems that are globally benchmarked yet culturally rooted.
A Student Forever
Despite the corner office, Dr. Thakur never stopped being a student.
A Ph.D. in Economics, an MBA from IIT Delhi, a JRF scholar, and an academic who fell in love with Strategic Management and International Business—his intellectual journey reflects his belief that learning has no age and no finish line.
His classrooms—across India, Europe, Australia and the Middle East—became spaces where real-world strategy met thoughtful reflection.
His research, conferences, and MDPs became platforms for dialogue, discovery, and continuous exploration.
A Leader Who Builds People, Not Positions
Those who work with him describe him not by his titles, but by his approach:
Padmashri Late Prof. Pritam Singh once wrote of him:
“Whatever role he worked in, he brought about a positive and significant difference and left behind a distinctive mark of success.”
This simple line has stayed with him—less as praise, more as responsibility.
A Philosophy Shaped by Experience
Over the years, Dr. Thakur’s belief system has evolved into a clear, consistent philosophy:
These are not just ideas; they are choices he practices every day.
Today at Mandsaur University
As the Vice Chancellor of Mandsaur University, Dr. Thakur brings all his worlds together—industry insight, academic depth, global exposure, and human-centered leadership.
For him, MU is not merely an assignment; it is a mission—
to make the university a preferred home for learning, innovation, values, and opportunity.
The Man Behind the Position
Outside conference rooms and classrooms, Dr. Thakur is a family man, a thinker, a traveler, and a believer in quiet reflection. Living in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, he carries with him the simplicity of Bihar, the discipline of Delhi, and the global lens of a lifelong learner.
The Journey Continues…
Dr. Rajiv R. Thakur’s story is not a story of designations—it is a story of evolution.
Of a boy who became a professional, a professional who became a teacher, a teacher who became a leader, and a leader who remains a student at heart.
And as he often says—
“If learning stops, leadership stops.”
About Me
Dr. Rajiv R. Thakur, widely known as a Perfectionist Learner, currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Mandsaur University (MU). With over 34 years of combined experience in academia and industry, he is a familiar and respected name in Indian higher education.
Professional Journey
Dr. Thakur has been associated with some of the country’s most reputed institutions:
In leadership roles, he served as:
He began his academic journey at GITAM Institute of Foreign Trade, now GITAM University, Visakhapatnam.
Corporate Experience
Before entering academia, Dr. Thakur spent over a decade in India’s largest media conglomerate, The Times Group, New Delhi. He was an integral part of its transformational phase during which the group overtook Hindustan Times as the NCR market leader.
He began his professional career with The Statesman, New Delhi.
Dr. Thakur credits this strong industry grounding as a key differentiator in his academic leadership and strategic approach.
National Roles & Accreditations
Dr. Thakur is a nominated Chairperson of several NBA Expert Committees and an expert member on various UGC and AICTE panels.
He has contributed significantly to institutional governance and accreditation:
Leadership Philosophy
In an era of global complexity and rapidly shifting industry needs, Dr. Thakur believes that institutions must nurture multi-skilled, industry-ready professionals. His strategic strengths include:
Legendary academician Padmashri Late Prof. Pritam Singh, acknowledging his contribution, wrote:
“I have known Dr. Rajiv R Thakur for more than a decade… Whatever role he worked in, he brought about a positive and significant difference and left behind a distinctive mark of success. I find in him every quality of a successful practicing leader.”
Academic Contributions
Dr. Thakur specializes in Strategic Management and International Business Strategy. He has taught PGDM, MBA, Executive and international programs across:
He has published and presented research in national and international journals and conferences, and has conducted numerous Management Development Programmes (MDPs) for senior and middle-level executives.
His global exposure spans the US, UK, Europe, South-East Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
Educational Background
He also topped the All-India Entrance Merit List for the M.Phil Programme at CSRD, JNU, but opted to begin his corporate career instead.
Institution-Building Beliefs
Some core principles that guide his approach:
Personal Background
Dr. Thakur lives in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Delhi NCR).
He hails originally from Madhubani district, Bihar, with family roots later in Mahnar, Vaishali.