Dr. Deependra Sharma

Bio

Dr. Deependra Sharma is a visionary academic leader and the Dean of the School of Business at MIT World Peace University, Pune. With a dynamic career spanning over 25 years, he brings a future-focused approach to management education i.e. constantly evolving, refining, and adapting to the needs of an ever-changing global business landscape.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), Dr. Sharma combines deep academic insight with practical industry experience. His early career in managerial roles across Indian industries shaped his pragmatic approach to education, blending theory with real-world relevance.

Throughout his academic journey, Dr. Sharma has led curriculum transformation, fostered innovation, and championed collaboration between academia and industry. His leadership is rooted in a strong belief in empowering students, not just as learners, but as future entrepreneurs and changemakers. He has played a key role in nurturing a culture of innovation and enterprise, championing incubation initiatives, experiential learning, and industry-aligned pedagogy across his leadership roles. His research areas such as innovation diffusion, entrepreneurship, consumer behaviour, and university–industry partnerships, with publications in leading journals indexed in Scopus, Emerald, and Elsevier.

A strong proponent of global academic exchange, he has contributed to international curriculum development, student mentorship, and partnerships with institutions such as UCLA and the University of Maryland.

Dr. Sharma continues to inspire through his editorial work, active conference participation, and mentorship of the next generation of business leaders. His passion for continuous improvement and strategic foresight make him a driving force behind the School of Business’s mission to deliver relevant, world-class education for tomorrow's leaders.