Professor Dr. Shaikh Aftab Anwar: A Visionary Educationist Transforming Higher Education Through Leadership, Research, and Innovation

For more than three decades, Professor Dr. Shaikh Aftab Anwar has stood as one of India's most respected academicians, visionary institutional leaders, and transformational education reformers. With an extraordinary career spanning over 32 years in higher education and more than 15 years in academic administration, he has consistently demonstrated that true education is not merely about imparting knowledge—it is about shaping institutions, empowering students, nurturing future leaders, and creating a lasting social impact.

Currently serving as the Principal of Choice College of Arts and Commerce, Pune, Dr. Anwar has earned widespread recognition for his remarkable ability to combine academic excellence with visionary leadership. Throughout his distinguished journey, he has inspired thousands of students, mentored researchers, strengthened educational institutions, and contributed significantly to India's higher education ecosystem.

Early Academic Excellence and Educational Foundation

Dr. Shaikh Aftab Anwar pursued higher education with exceptional dedication, earning M.Com., MBA, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration. His passion for research and management education laid the foundation for an illustrious academic career that would eventually influence universities, colleges, policymakers, and scholars across India.

His doctoral research, titled "Designing a Systems Approach to Human Resource Management in the Cooperative Federations in Maharashtra," received the prestigious distinction of Best Ph.D. Thesis in Cooperative Management by the Indian Society for Studies in Cooperation. For this outstanding contribution, he was honoured with the Rao Bahadur Talmaki Award (1997)—a milestone that reflected his commitment to academic excellence from the very beginning.

A Transformational Leader in Higher Education

Leadership has been the defining characteristic of Dr. Anwar's career.

As the Principal of Choice College of Arts and Commerce, Pune, he has successfully promoted innovation-driven education, skill development, institutional excellence, industry collaboration, and student-centric learning.

Earlier, while serving as the Principal of Poona College of Arts, Science and Commerce, he led the institution to achieve the prestigious NAAC (3rd Cycle) A+ Accreditation with an impressive CGPA of 3.27, setting new benchmarks in quality education and institutional governance.

His administrative excellence also extended to his role as Director of Poona Institute of Management Sciences and Entrepreneurship, where he strengthened the bridge between academia and industry while promoting entrepreneurship and management education.

Throughout every leadership role, Dr. Anwar has championed modernization, quality assurance, academic innovation, and sustainable institutional growth.

Distinguished Scholar and Research Mentor

Professor Dr. Shaikh Aftab Anwar is widely respected as an eminent researcher and mentor.

As a recognized Ph.D. Research Guide at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), he has successfully supervised:

• 35 Ph.D. Scholars

• 16 M.Phil. Scholars

His mentorship has produced researchers who continue contributing to academia, industry, and policy-making.

His scholarly achievements include:

• 70 Research Papers

• 17 Books Authored/Co-authored

• 18 Edited Books

• 5 Book Chapters

• 3 Published Patents

• 1 Registered Design

His research spans management, commerce, cooperative studies, entrepreneurship, human resource development, educational leadership, and institutional governance, making him one of the leading contributors in these fields.

Influential Role in University Governance

Beyond classroom teaching and institutional leadership, Dr. Anwar has significantly contributed to university administration and academic policy.

He has served Savitribai Phule Pune University in several prestigious positions, including:

• Member, Academic Council

• Chairman, Board of Studies (Marketing)

• Member, Faculty of Commerce and Management

• Member, Board of Examination Committee

His academic leadership earned him nomination as a Senate Member of the University of Pune by the Governor of Maharashtra, recognizing his expertise in higher education governance and policy development.

He has also served as:

• BOS Subject Expert, Indira College of Commerce

• BOS Subject Expert, Burhani College, Mumbai

• Educationist Member of the Governing Body, MGV's Arts, Commerce & Science College, Malegaon

These appointments reflect the confidence that educational institutions place in his vision, integrity, and academic leadership.

Champion of Educational Excellence

Dr. Anwar firmly believes that education must extend beyond classrooms.

He has devoted his career to:

• Skill Development

• Entrepreneurship Promotion

• Youth Empowerment

• Startup Incubation

• Institutional Capacity Building

• Business Development

• Career Guidance

• Industry-Academia Collaboration

His initiatives have empowered countless students to build successful careers while encouraging innovation, leadership, and social responsibility.

He has also provided strategic consultancy to educational institutions and organizations seeking sustainable academic transformation.

National and International Recognition

Excellence naturally attracts recognition.

Over the years, Professor Dr. Shaikh Aftab Anwar has received numerous prestigious honours, including:

• Leader of Change – Pune Star Education Award (2024)

• Rotary Vocational Excellence Award (2023)

• 5th Nation Builder Award (2019)

• National Award for Skill Development and Enhancement

• National Educational Excellence Award

• National Business and Youth Development Award

• Best Educator Award – World Management Congress

• Prof. G. B. Kulkarni Award for Best Teacher in Commerce

• Life Time Achievement Awards

• Appreciation Award for Entrepreneurship Promotion

• Best Teacher Awards

• Best NSS Programme Officer Award

• Ideal Teacher Awards

These recognitions celebrate his lifelong commitment to education, academic leadership, social development, and nation-building.

Professional Memberships

Dr. Anwar is a Life Member of several esteemed professional organizations, including:

• National Institute of Personnel Management (NIPM)

• Indian Commerce Association

• Indian Society for Studies in Cooperation

• Indian Social Science Association

• Indian Adult Education Association

• Commerce and Management Association of India

His active engagement with these organizations keeps him at the forefront of academic research and educational reforms.

Global Academic Presence

Professor Dr. Shaikh Aftab Anwar has proudly represented India on numerous international academic platforms.

His educational and research engagements have taken him to:

• Malaysia

• Singapore

• Thailand

• China

• Iran

• Oman

• United Arab Emirates

• Saudi Arabia

• Qatar

• Fiji

• Kingdom of Tonga

• Sri Lanka

• Nepal

Through these international collaborations, he has strengthened global academic partnerships and promoted knowledge exchange across borders.

Legacy of Inspiration

What truly distinguishes Professor Dr. Shaikh Aftab Anwar is not merely his achievements but the values that guide his life's work.

He believes education should create ethical leaders, responsible citizens, innovative entrepreneurs, and socially conscious professionals. His career reflects unwavering dedication to academic excellence, research innovation, institutional development, and national progress.

Thousands of students, researchers, educators, and administrators have benefited from his mentorship, while numerous educational institutions have flourished under his visionary leadership.

As an educator, researcher, administrator, mentor, author, and nation-builder, Professor Dr. Shaikh Aftab Anwar continues to inspire the academic community with his extraordinary commitment to excellence.

His journey stands as a shining example of how visionary leadership, scholarly brilliance, and a passion for education can transform lives, strengthen institutions, and contribute meaningfully to society.