Dr. Devanshu Patel

Dr. Devanshu Patel is President of Parul University, one of India’s fastest growing universities. From torchbearer to transformer, he has held this position since July 13, 2016, accelerating the university through a period of transformative growth across academics, research, infrastructure, and global engagement.

He did his MD in Pharmacology and MBBS from M.S University of Baroda. Also completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship Management from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Gandhinagar. When he joined, the university had 4,033 students in 2015 – 16 and now the number stands at 70,000+ students from 28 states and union territories across India. Another 6,000+ international students from across 75+ countries are pursuing their carrier at Parul University.

NAAC A++ accreditation was a landmark moment for the university and his role in getting there was significant. Parul University became the Youngest University in India to earn this grade, and in its very first assessment cycle. The university is credited with UGC Category 1 status with Graded Autonomy also came through. Ranked 11th in India in the NIRF Innovation Rankings 2025 and awarded a Platinum Band in the R World Institutional Rankings.

Between 2008 and 2013 he established multiple institutes. Parul Institute of Management and Research came up in 2008, Parul Institute of Physiotherapy followed in 2009, Parul Institute of Technology in 2010, Parul Institute of Architecture and Research in 2012 and many more kept getting added through those years.

His vision and leadership brought in Rs. 600 Crore plus in capital investment over three years. This gave the campus a Green Library Complex, an International Students Hostel, a Sports Complex, Smart Labs, and a Central Administrative Building. The campus today runs on 64GB Wi-Fi bandwidth going through 7,000 plus routers. There is another Rs. 287 Crore in projects coming up, a Cancer Hospital, a 5 MW Solar Power Plant, and new academic buildings are all in the works.

On the global side, 120 plus tie-ups with universities across 50 plus countries have come through under his leadership. More than 100 student and faculty mobility programs have run out of these partnerships, giving 800 plus students and 100 staff members genuine international exposure. Parul University has also got accreditation from the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education and picked up recognition at the FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards for Excellence in Globalization.

• Led COVID-19 relief campaigns contributing Rs. 28 Lakh+ to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and Rs. 10 Lakh in crowdfunding for daily wage laborers
• Championed the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan through which 8 colleges adopted 40 villages
• Managed 85 health camps treating 61,150 patients under the “Health for All” campaign
• Inaugurated 36 Continuing Education and Executive Development Programs

Dr. Devanshu Patel started the Parul Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research Centre, PIERC, to give startups a real boost. PIERC has incubated 254 plus startups till now, and has got over Rs. 20 Crore in startup funding secured. The university has also pulled in Rs. 25 Crore plus in research funding separately. All of this together has put Parul University in the Top 50 universities in India in the ARIIA rankings by the Ministry of Education.

• The “Garima” Women Livelihood Centres, Sahiyar Gram Haat, and Parul Mahila Credit Cooperative Society have economically empowered 1,000+ women.
• Projects like “Theli” and “HUNF – Meal on Wheels” address food security and livelihood in surrounding communities.
• Under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, 8 colleges have adopted 40 villages for sustained development.
• 85 health camps under the “Health for All” campaign have served 61,150+ patients in rural and underserved areas.

Dr Devanshu Patel believes sustainability plays a major role in enhancing the holistic environment of a nation. Following the same, the campus now runs a 3.5 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant, Biogas Plants, and Rainwater Harvesting systems.

The university has attained the International Green University Award at the 2024 New York Green School Conference and a Platinum Band in Green Rankings by R World. They’ve also registered 3,64,916 water credits. Beyond this, A 5 MW Ground Mounted Solar Power Plant is coming up next, with Rs. 25 Crore being put into it, pushing the university further toward energy self-sufficiency.