In India’s rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, few leaders combine academic depth, technological foresight, and transformational leadership the way Dr. Sunita M. Karad does. 

With a career spanning more than 30 years in technology and higher education, she has become a driving force for academic excellence, digital transformation, student-centric reforms, and institutional growth across the MIT Group of Institutions and MIT Art, Design and Technology University.

Currently serving as Executive Director, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, and Vice-President, MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions, she has shaped academic systems, introduced advanced technological platforms, and nurtured a culture of innovation that aligns traditional educational ethos with global best practices. Her journey reflects dedication, precision, and a relentless pursuit of progress that has earned national and international recognition.

Early Academic Foundations and Professional Growth

Dr. Sunita began her professional journey in the early 1990s with strong academic credentials and a focused interest in technology and research. She holds three doctoral degrees, including one in Data Mining Algorithms, along with an M.E. in Computer Engineering from PICT, Pune, and a B.E. from Marathwada University. She has also completed a leadership development program from LMI, USA.

She started her career at IIT Powai as a Research Associate on an aeronautical project, and later joined MIT in 1994 as a faculty member. She taught subjects such as Data Structures, OOPS, Microcontrollers, DBMS, and AI/ML. This strong academic base laid the foundation for her leadership roles ahead.

Establishing Centers of Excellence and Industry Collaborations

Dr. Sunita has been instrumental in setting up key Centers of Excellence at MIT Art, Design and Technology University to strengthen industry-aligned learning. Under her leadership, the AWS Academy (2019) was established to build cloud computing skills and offer global certifications. 

She also initiated the Salesforce Center of Excellence (2024) to develop competencies in CRM, analytics, and cloud-based business solutions, and introduced the AIMA Business Lab to enhance management education through advanced simulations.

These initiatives provide students with hands-on experience, global exposure, and direct alignment with future industry requirements.

National Conferences and Academic Dialogues

A significant aspect of her leadership is her contribution to organizing multidisciplinary national conferences. As Convenor, she led the Innovative Global Trends series (2022–2024), bringing together experts from art, design, technology, management, and architecture. 

She also guided national agricultural conferences focused on food security, agri-business, and technological advancements from 2017 to 2021, along with conferences addressing infrastructure, transportation, and sustainable development.

These platforms strengthened the university’s reputation as a vibrant space for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.

Awards, Recognitions, and International Visibility

Her leadership has been recognized through awards such as the ASMA Best Marketing Excellence Award (2019), Times Power Women (2018), Neelam Gorhe Best Educationist Award (2021), MSME Academia Excellence Award (2024), Education Change Maker Award by ICT Academy (2024), and the Marathwada Bhushan Puruskar (2024). Her inclusion in the Amazon Coffee Table Book 2024 highlights her national prominence.

Internationally, her engagement as a panelist at Coursera Headquarters in California and participation in forums organized by AWS, LinkedIn, and ICT Academy have added to her global presence.

Publications, Research, and Intellectual Contributions

Dr. Sunita M. Karad has contributed to national and international journals across domains such as clustering algorithms, credit card fraud detection, AI-driven marketing automation, and educational data analytics. Her work reflects deep technical understanding and commitment to advancing research.

She has also served as Chief Editor for academic books covering management, technology, marketing, transportation systems, and database studies, creating valuable resources for students and scholars.

Human-Centric Approach and Impact

What stands out about her leadership is her people-first approach. She focuses on nurturing talent, encouraging collaboration, and creating an atmosphere where faculty and students feel supported. Initiatives like the Women’s Day Awards, Engineers Day Awards, and Startup Awards promote recognition, innovation, and holistic growth.

A Leader Defining the Future of Higher Education

Dr. Sunita stands at the intersection of technology, education, and institutional development. Her ability to integrate innovation with thoughtful administration has raised standards across the MIT ecosystem.

She continues to champion digital transformation, industry collaboration, curriculum enhancement, and student success. Her work reflects a clear commitment to building academic ecosystems that are innovative, inclusive, and globally aligned, strengthening both MIT Art, Design and Technology University and the broader higher education landscape in India.