Dr. Manoj Pralhad Nigadkar

Bio

Dr. Manoj Pralhad Nigadkar is an accomplished academic and social work professional with a strong commitment to teaching, research, and rural development. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the School of Business, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune, he brings over 15 years of progressive experience in academia and the development sector.

Dr. Nigadkar holds a PhD in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, along with a Master's in Social Work and a law degree from Shivaji University. His academic journey reflects a vibrant blend of social science and legal studies, underpinned by his ongoing engagement with curriculum development and outreach programs.

He has been instrumental in designing and delivering courses on Micro-Finance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Rural Livelihoods, Social Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Governance at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In his outreach role, Dr. Nigadkar has coordinated multiple national academic and rural immersion programs, facilitating experiential learning for hundreds of students across Maharashtra and beyond.

Dr. Nigadkar’s professional experience includes pivotal roles as Associate Professor at the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya, and executive positions in reputed development organizations such as Tata Steel Rural Development Society and Lupin Foundation. His work encompasses stakeholder engagement, livelihood project implementation, and building the capacities of community-based institutions.

A researcher at heart, Dr. Nigadkar’s scholarship is reflected in numerous publications in Scopus-indexed and refereed journals, covering themes like sustainable development, social exclusion, indigenous rights, and rural livelihoods. He is also a co-inventor on a patent for a Smart Health Prediction System.

Active as a mentor and resource person, Dr. Nigadkar has supervised doctoral and postgraduate research, delivered lectures and sessions nationwide, and contributed to national seminars and conferences. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Odiya, and Marathi, and continues to advance the field through research, teaching, and community engagement.