Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal

Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal, currently serving as the Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), stands as a distinguished figure in the landscape of Indian higher education.

Scholarly Profile and Administrative Acumen

Dr. Mittal's career is marked by exceptional administrative leadership and profound academic contributions. She holds the distinction of being only the second woman to accede to the position of Secretary General in the AIU's nearly century-long existence. Her administrative expertise was honed over three decades of service in senior echelons of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India, the apex regulatory body for university education.

A testament to her institutional development capability is her tenure as the inaugural regular Vice Chancellor of the Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya. Under her stewardship, this pioneering rural women's university in North India underwent significant transformation across two terms, strategically blending traditional academic curricula with modern pedagogical practices.

Academic Credentials and Recognition

Possessing exemplary academic credentials, Dr. Mittal is a recognized Fulbright Scholar. She achieved top honours in both her MSc and PhD in Agricultural Statistics from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Her scholarly pursuits and impactful administrative initiatives have garnered high-level recognition, including the prestigious Fulbright Nehru Scholarship grant for Educational Administrators and the President of India Award in 2017 for her pioneering efforts in Digital Initiatives in Higher Education.

Her sphere of influence extends beyond academic administration, as evidenced by her concurrent service as the Chief Commissioner (Guides) for the Bharat Scouts and Guides. Her multifaceted experience underscores a commitment to both the intellectual advancement and holistic development of the populace.