IIM Rohtak Director Prof. Dheeraj Sharma Wins Exemplary Governance Leadership Award

IIM Rohtak Director Prof. Dheeraj Sharma Honoured with Exemplary Governance Leadership Award

Prof. Dheeraj Sharma , Director of Indian Institute of Management Rohtak , has been conferred the Exemplary Governance Leadership Award at the World Management Congress held in New Delhi. The recognition highlights sustained institutional progress driven by structured governance reforms, academic innovation, and financial discipline, placing IIM Rohtak among India’s steadily advancing management institutions.

Recognition at the World Management Congress

The award was presented at the 46th edition of the World Management Congress , following a rigorous international evaluation by the Congress’s Awards and Appreciation Committee. Over 1,400 nominations were received from across the world, with only seven global leaders shortlisted.

Prof. Sharma was recognised for demonstrating consistent leadership in institutional governance, public management, and higher education administration , with a focus on long-term strategic outcomes rather than short-term expansion.

Governance Reforms and Campus Development

During Prof. Sharma’s tenure, IIM Rohtak strengthened its governance architecture with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and administrative autonomy . A major milestone was the institute’s transition to its permanent campus in 2018 , which was completed below the estimated project cost , reflecting strong financial oversight.

Streamlined administrative systems, decentralised decision-making, and outcome-oriented planning were cited as key reforms that aligned the institute with global best practices in management education governance .

Academic Innovation and Global Recognition

Academic innovation remained central to IIM Rohtak’s growth strategy. The institute launched the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) and the Integrated Programme in Law , the latter being the first law programme introduced by any IIM .

IIM Rohtak also secured international accreditations from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA), strengthening its global academic standing.

In 2023 , Prof. Sharma was included among the world’s top 2 per cent researchers in a global assessment conducted by Stanford University , underscoring his contribution to research and scholarship.

Leadership Perspective on Autonomy and Higher Education

Addressing the Congress, Prof. Sharma emphasised that institutional excellence begins with autonomy , particularly financial and academic autonomy . He noted that sustainable higher education reform must prioritise value-based learning, ethical leadership, and governance quality , rather than focusing solely on physical infrastructure expansion.

He underlined that governance should serve as the foundation of academic credibility, innovation, and societal impact .

Exam-Focused Points

• World Management Congress focuses on leadership, governance, and management best practices.

• AMBA and BGA accreditations are global benchmarks for management education quality.

• IIM Rohtak was established during the second phase of IIM expansion .

• Integrated Programme in Law at IIM Rohtak is the