Dr. Rahul V. Karad
Dr. Rahul Vishwanath Karad is a dynamic and visionary educationist, heading MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions as the Managing Trustee & Executive President. He is also the Executive President of MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), the flagship institution of MAEER’s Group. Under his astute leadership, the MAEER’s MIT Group is flourishing as a prestigious conglomerate of five universities and 72 institutions, nurturing over 70,000 students. Embodying the visionary ideals of his father, Prof. Dr. Vishwanath Karad, the illustrious founder of the MIT Group, Dr. Rahul passionately pursues the mission of advancing education with a fearless resolve and a deep sense of patriotism.
An accomplished educationist, Dr. Rahul holds a degree in engineering, a postgraduate degree in management from Cardiff University, UK, and a doctorate from VU University, Netherlands. He is also a distinguished alumnus of the Harvard Business School, USA.
Dr. Rahul firmly believes in harnessing the boundless potential of youth to strengthen Bharat’s pluralistic democracy. His unshakable nationalistic spirit is vividly reflected in ground-breaking initiatives that align education with societal impact, instilling a renewed sense of pride and patriotism among citizens. His visionary efforts are characterized by boldness, patriotic fervor, and an indomitable will to inspire transformation in a nation where thinking differently often requires extraordinary courage. He has taken the education to a different level with his innovative approaches and bold initiatives by connecting degree programs to societal problem-solving, ensuring that education has a direct and meaningful impact on society. He has always believed in the potential of education and training for political leadership in Bharat to strengthen Bharat’s democracy and governance.
As the founder of the MIT School of Government (MIT-SOG) in Pune, the first institution of Bharat, dedicated to grooming future political leaders, he has redefined the concept of governance and leadership training. A staunch advocate of bringing a culture of healthy democracy, competent leadership, and clean governance, Dr. Karad has tirelessly championed the cause of encouraging educated youth to actively participate in public life and politics. He firmly believes in the transformative power of education within political parties and has relentlessly worked to integrate training and education into the fabric of political parties and organizations across Bharat.
Under his visionary leadership, the MIT-SOG has birthed ground-breaking initiatives such as the Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad, recognized as the largest classroom in India for sensitizing, grooming and inspiring youth to embrace the public life. Similarly, the National Women’s Parliament, another pioneering initiative, empowers women to occupy leadership positions, thereby strengthening the democratic structure of the nation. His focus on grassroots governance led to the establishment of the Rashtriya Sarpanch Sansad, which provides capacity-building and leadership training to sarpanchs, enhancing the effectiveness of governance at the village level.
One of Dr. Karad’s most remarkable and recent contributions is the establishment of the National Legislators’ Conference (NLC) Bharat, a ground-breaking platform that brings legislators from all political parties and states across Bharat to collaborate on governance and development. For the first time in independent Bharat’s history, such a visionary initiative has been undertaken to facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions among public representatives. The inaugural conference, held in Mumbai in June 2023, witnessed the participation of over 1,800 legislators, collectively representing nearly half of Bharat’s population.
This initiative has not only accelerated Dr. Karad’s mission of capacity building for public representatives but has also contributed to evolving better governance models by addressing the diverse challenges and unique conditions of the nation. The platform has earned widespread acclaim, both within and beyond Bharat, for its efforts in evolving innovative solutions, encouraging meaningful cross-party dialogue, and setting new benchmarks for developmental governance and legislative excellence.
Dr. Rahul Karad’s visionary leadership continues to inspire transformative initiatives, bridging the realms of education, governance, and nation-building, while empowering generations to carry forward the torch of progress and patriotism.
Achievements and Key Initiatives
- Founded MIT School of Government in 2005, the first of its kind in Bharat and Asia to train youth for careers in politics and governance.
- Established Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad (Indian Students’ Parliament) in 2011, channelizing the power of 10,000 university students every year through its annual conclave
- Founded the National Teachers’ Congress in 2016, fostering inspiration and exchange among teachers of higher education.
- Launched Rashtriya Sarpanch Sansad to inspire and train grassroots leadership for strengthening rural Bharat.
- Initiated a National Felicitation Program for UPSC Civil Services qualifiers, recognizing over 1,000 civil servants till now and bringing them together on a single platform Founded Bharat Asmita National Awards, Arya Chanakya Rajya Puraskar, and Rashtradharmapujak Dadarao Karad Awards.
- Served as Chairman of the Committee on Knowledge (Skill & Education) of the Indian Merchants’ Chamber and an Advisor for the Selection Committee of the National Youth Award, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Government of India
