IIM Rohtak Director Prof. Dheeraj Sharma Honoured with Exemplary Governance Leadership Award
Global recognition at the 46th World Management Congress in New Delhi highlights visionary leadership and institutional excellence
IIM Rohtak Director Prof. Dheeraj Sharma Honoured with Exemplary Governance Leadership Award
Global recognition at the 46th World Management Congress in New Delhi highlights visionary leadership and institutional excellence
THT News; New Delhi / Rohtak.
Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, Director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak, has been conferred with the Exemplary Governance Leadership Award by the Awards and Appreciation Committee of the World Management Congress. The prestigious honour was presented at a formal ceremony held at the India International Centre, New Delhi, during the 46th World Management Congress.
The award ceremony witnessed the presence of an eminent gathering of national and international dignitaries, underscoring the global stature of the Congress. Distinguished attendees included H.E. Mr. Mariano Caucino, Ambassador of Argentina; Fr. Roby Kannanchira, a global authority on inter-religious dialogue; H.E. Dr. Janice Darbari, Honorary Consul General of Montenegro; Dr. Markandey Rai, President, Global Peace Foundation–India and Chancellor, Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University; Jesper Moller Sorensen, Denmark’s Ambassador to the United States; and Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi, President of the Confederation of Indian Universities and President of the 46th World Management Congress. The event was further attended by Vice-Chancellors, Directors of premier institutions, senior academicians, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the country.
The Exemplary Governance Leadership Award followed a highly rigorous and transparent selection process, with over 1,400 nominations received globally. Only seven individuals were selected for the honour, reflecting the exclusivity of the award and the exceptional standards of governance and leadership it represents.
Prof. Sharma was recognised for his visionary leadership, exemplary governance practices, and institution-building capabilities, which have significantly contributed to positioning IIM Rohtak among India’s most dynamic management institutions. Under his leadership, the Institute secured prestigious international accreditations from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA), reinforcing its commitment to global benchmarks in management education and institutional accountability.
A key infrastructural achievement during his tenure was the successful transition of IIM Rohtak to its permanent campus in 2018, completed below projected costs, demonstrating strong financial discipline and transparent administration. Academically, Prof. Sharma spearheaded pioneering initiatives such as the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) and the Integrated Programme in Law (IPL)—the first such programme among all IIMs—expanding access to innovative and interdisciplinary education. Under his stewardship, IIM Rohtak also emerged as the largest IIM in India by student strength and launched the Executive Post Graduate Programme in Sports Management, which received special appreciation from the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
A distinguished scholar, Prof. Sharma was included in Stanford University’s Top 2% Researchers list (2023). He has served as Principal Investigator for several high-impact research projects funded by key Union Ministries, contributing to evidence-based policymaking and national development.
Accepting the award, Prof. Sharma delivered a thought-provoking address on leadership in higher education, emphasising that institutional excellence begins with autonomy, particularly financial autonomy. He highlighted that education must move beyond degrees to focus on employability, capability recognition, and value-based human development. Stressing the importance of early childhood and parental education, he concluded that the true goal of educational leadership is the creation of ethical citizens and a better society, not merely physical infrastructure.
The conferment of this award marks a moment of pride for IIM Rohtak and reaffirms its growing prominence in the national and global management education landscape.
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