Biography

Prof. Dr. Rajan Saxena is a renowned institution builder, marketing academic, and leader in management education, with over five decades of experience across premier institutions. A graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, he earned his PhD from the Delhi School of Economics and began his academic career at Delhi University in 1972, later teaching at XLRI, SPJIMR, IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore, University of Calgary, and Pace University, New York.

As the founding Director of IIM Indore, he led its emergence as one of India’s top ten management institutes, overseeing campus development, industry partnerships, and launch of a modular executive PGDM program. He served as Vice Chancellor of NMIMS from 2009 to 2020, during which the university expanded campuses in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, earned NAAC A+ accreditation, and gained international recognition through global programs and academic collaborations.

Dr. Saxena has published over 80 articles and 30 business cases, along with two foundational textbooks on Marketing Management and International Marketing by McGraw Hill. A sought‑after advisor, he has consulted more than 50 Indian and multinational companies in branding and strategic management.

He holds leadership roles in AIMA, FICCI, AMDISA, and chairs the India Case Research Centre. Recognized with awards such as the AIMA Kewal Nohria Award for academic leadership, Dr. Saxena continues to shape management education in South Asia and beyond.