Ram Kumar Kakani appointed vice-chancellor of RV University

RV University (RVU) has appointed Ram Kumar Kakani as vice chancellor with immediate effect. Kakani, in his previous roles, has served the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, Kozhikode, and XLRI Jamshedpur from 2022 to 2025 as director.

Kakani started his career as a technocrat, then transitioned into higher education to rise into senior positions at some of India’s most respected institutions. He has 25 years of experience across academia, governance, and leadership development roles.

“His teaching portfolio also includes a distinguished stint at LBSNAA Mussoorie, where he groomed future civil servants of India. Internationally, Kakani has taught and collaborated with institutions in Denmark, Nigeria, Singapore, and the UAE,” the official RV University statement said.

The chancellor of RV University AVS Murthy said: “Ram Kakani is a remarkable academic leader with a rare combination of global experience and deep-rooted understanding of Indian institutions. His commitment to values-driven education, and his cross-sectoral perspective, will guide RVU into its next chapter of excellence and impact. His mantra —competence without action is unrealized potential — defines his approach to institutional building.”

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RV University vice-chancellor

Kakani is a prolific author with publications across Cambridge, Sage, Routledge, and McGraw-Hill. He is respected for bridging management education with public governance and policy. He completed his education with a Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from the AU College of Engineering, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, in 1992, and pursued his Doctorate in Management (FPM) in Finance and Control from IIM Calcutta in 2002.’

On his appointment, Kakani said: “It is a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of RV University at such a pivotal time. This institution has quickly emerged as a benchmark in multidisciplinary, liberal, and technology-driven education. I believe RVU has the right foundation to shape not just careers, but meaningful contributors to India’s future. I look forward to working alongside an exceptional team of faculty, staff, and students to co-create a purpose-driven academic environment.”