Dr. Karunakar A. Kotegar’s journey reflects academic leadership, research excellence, and a sustained commitment to advancing technology education and global academic collaboration, strengthening MAHE’s focus in science and technology disciplines.
Dr. Karunakar A. Kotegar serves as the Pro Vice Chancellor – Technology & Science at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, effective July 01, 2026. With over 29 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration, he has played a significant role in institutional development and international engagement.
Through strategic leadership and academic vision, he continues to strengthen MAHE’s position in technology and science education.
Legacy of Leadership
An alumnus of Karnatak University, Dharwad, Dr. Kotegar holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, followed by a Ph.D. from MAHE (2009) and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from AIT, Ireland (2011).
He has served in key academic roles, including Professor and Head of the Department of Data Science and Computer Applications at MIT Manipal, where he contributed to the introduction of B.Tech and M.Tech programs in Data Science. With over 75 publications, he has guided multiple Ph.D. scholars and continues to contribute to research and academic mentorship.
A Vision for Research-Driven Learning
Guided by the belief that technology education must align with global developments and research-driven learning, Dr. Kotegar remains committed to strengthening academic frameworks and advancing innovation in emerging disciplines.
His leadership reflects a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, international engagement, and student mobility, enabling learners to build global perspectives and research capabilities. His contributions to international academic networks have supported the growth of collaborative education and institutional partnerships.
Beyond Academics
Beyond academic roles, Dr. Kotegar has contributed extensively to internationalization in higher education. He has served as Secretary of IAESTE A.s.b.l., coordinating global operations across 87 countries, and as President of IAESTE India.
He has also held administrative leadership roles, including Pro President at Manipal University Jaipur and Director – International Collaboration at MAHE, where he expanded global partnerships. His professional engagements include academic and institutional collaboration across more than 30 countries.
Accolades and Recognition
His academic and research contributions have earned wide recognition. He received an Invention Award from Intellectual Ventures in 2013 and was honored with the Best Teacher Award in 2012. He is also a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship (USA) and the DAAD Scholarship (Germany).