Dr. ARUNA MUKESH KATARA
Under Dr. Aruna M. Katara’s stewardship, the educational and research divisions of the Hope Foundation, including the Finolex Academy of Management and Technology (FAMT – www.famt.ac.in) in Ratnagiri and the Pralhad P. Chhabria Research Center (PPCRC – https://ppcrc.isquareit.edu.in) in Pune, have flourished. Dr. Katara’s relentless efforts have opened avenues for higher education and industry opportunities, equipping hundreds of students with essential skills and knowledge to thrive in a dynamic global environment.
As the pivotal figure guiding the HFRC mission, of I²IT and FAMT, Dr. Katara’s prime focus remains on leading these institutions towards becoming preeminent knowledge hubs. Her strategic vision and inspirational leadership galvanize the heads of various institutions under the Hope Foundation, ensuring the implementation of strategic plans that align with the foundation’s core mission and short-term objectives. Her leadership is characterized by a profound commitment to the foundation’s long-term vision of empowering the youth through education and research, thus contributing significantly to the nation’s growth.
“It brings me a sense of fulfilment that I have been in a way instrumental in providing higher education and industry opportunities to hundreds of students in India to equip themselves with skill-sets and knowledge through knowledge assimilation at Pune and other educational hubs in the U.S., Russia, and France through I²IT’s various academic and research collaborations with many foreign universities, an international exchange of knowledge was also facilitated where foreign university students were being provided with a chance to grasp IT skills which India is so well known for, through various courses offered at the institutes.”
Dr. Aruna Mukesh Katara’s legacy is one of visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to education and social service, and a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals. Her journey reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence and a steadfast dedication to empowering the next generation through knowledge and innovation.
Academics
Dr. Katara’s academic journey is equally impressive. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Arts, followed by a Diploma in Business Management and a Master of Management Studies with distinction from the University of Pune. She earned her Ph.D. on the topic “Renewing Unaided Rural Engineering Institutes through Adaptive Educational Initiatives” from Vishwakarma University. Interestingly, Dr. Katara decided to embark on her Ph.D. journey later in her career, a decision driven by her desire to gain a deeper understanding of the education sector in India. This endeavor was fueled by her passion for contributing to and transforming education, particularly in rural areas. This pursuit of advanced knowledge underscores her unwavering commitment to making a lasting impact on the education landscape of India.Despite her demanding schedule, she continues to pursue her interests in singing, reading, spirituality, and painting, finding time to travel both within India and abroad.
Messages
“Education can transform an individual, a family, a community, a society, a nation. Education is the new currency that will take our nation ahead!”
Dr. Aruna M. Katara
Invitations As Dignitary
Chief Guest
“Chief Guest” at “Nari Tu Narayani 2023” Awards
Podcast
Eminent Speaker
Women Entrepreneurship & Innovation Conclave Awards 2023
Inaugural Speaker
Aruna Katara was inaugural speaker for the Indian Business Literature Festival, Pune Chapter, held on 22nd January, 2023 in association with BW Businessworld and Institute for Generative Leadership.
Eminent Speaker
93rd Webinar ENGAGEINDIA.BIZ on “Trends and Careers For Women”
Chief Guest
Inaugurated FIRSTCRY INTELLITOTS PRESCHOOL at Aundh on 5th June 2022
Eminent Speaker
Invited as Eminent Speaker at the ASMA Education Leadership Conclave 2020
Special Guest of Honour
“Special Guest of Honour” at the Teachers’ Day event organized by Higher Education Forum on Saturday, 13 September 2014.
Guest of Honor
“Guest of Honor” at a National Level Seminar by AKI’s Poona Institute of Management Sciences & Entrepreneurship, Pune on 10 March, 2011.
Founder Director
Founder Director of the India Business Literature Festival(IBLF) along with Sameer Dua, Founder of the Institute of Generative Leadership, India and Dr. Anurag Batra, Chairman and Editor in Chief, BW Businessworld, Since 13 October 2018.
Chief Guest
“Chief Guest” at the 56 Foundation Day of The Institution of Engineers (India), Pune Local Centre on 29 November, 2014.
Chair Person
“Chair Person” at the panel discussion at EDU Leaders Conclave on 21 November, 2014 in Pune.
Panelist
Panelist at the exclusive round table on ‘Indian Innovation Framework: Thematic Innovation Platforms’, an Interaction between Industry players and Academia held at TMC (Tata Management Center) on 27 April 2007.
Panelist
Panelist at the event called “Yatra” hosted by the Foundation for Liberal And Management Education (FLAME) on 20 March, 2010.
Panelist
Panelist on the discussion on “Relevance of Liberal Education in College Education”. hosted by the Foundation for Liberal And Management Education (FLAME) on Saturday, 30 January, 2010.
Panelist
Panelist on the Dell “Idea League Initiative” organized by Bloomberg UTV on Friday, 11 December, 2009.
Panelist
Panelist at the “BW Business World Engineering Excellence Conference and Awards” held at New Delhi on the topic “Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship for Excellence in Engineering Education” on 5 July 2018.
Guest Professor
“Guest Professor” at Hunan Vocational College of Science & Technology, China in November, 2010.
Guest
Invited as a delegate by FICCI, New Delhi for an education visit to USA along with Hon’ble Minister of HRD Shri. Kapil Sibal from 24 till 30 October, 2009.
Guest Speaker
“Guest Speaker” at the panel discussion organized by Women in Leadership Forum India at New Delhi organized by NASEBA, Dubai on 6 & 7 May, 2010.
Speaker
Speaker at the IEEE WiE International Summit Pune 2016 on the topic “Empower Women – Importance of Education” held on 23 September, 2016.
Speaker
Speaker at the Annual Women Economic Forum (WEF 2017) on the topic “Creating a New Eco-system for Education, Learning, Design & Lifestyle” on 8 May 2017.
Attended
One day seminar on Event Active’s “(Re) Engineering the Future” by Pearson Publications held on 27 August, 2011.
Attended
“Education and Progress of Maharashtra” hosted by Sakal Media Group on 22 April, 2011.
Attended
Attended a national workshop on “Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE)”, organized by CeNSE, IISC Bangalore, 12 January 2017.
Attended
EDU Magazine’s first ever “Vice Chancellors Retreat” at ISB, Hyderabad on 2, 3 and 4 September, 2011.