Transitioning from a highly decorated senior officer in the IAF to a visionary academic leader, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar now oversees multiple university campuses as Group Vice-Chancellor. Driven by a philosophy that blends strict military discipline, he transforms educational institutions into centers of growth.

Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar serves as the highly esteemed Group Vice-Chancellor of three prestigious institutions: Rayat-Bahra University in Mohali, Bahra University in Shimla, and the Rayat-Bahra Professional University in Hoshiarpur.

Under his meticulous governance, Rayat-Bahra University, Mohali, is excelling immensely. The campus boasts a vibrant demographic, hosting over 500 international students, and is both fully NEP (National Education Policy) compliant and NAAC-accredited. With a student body comprising more than 50% (and in some areas, over 60%) girls, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay ensures it remains the absolute safest place for them. The university provides beautiful hostels and mess facilities that carefully cater to the students' taste buds and holistic personality development. While students and their guardians enjoy absolute freedom and peace of mind, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay maintains very strict discipline, proudly noting that the university never faces indiscipline cases.

Born in a small town in Bihar, his early life was deeply influenced by his father, who was a Professor of Hindi Literature at Magadh University. Coming from a modest village, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay harbored a significant childhood dream: to gain admission into the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). His academic brilliance was evident early on when he pursued his B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering at the Bihar Institute of Technology, graduating in 1984. Throughout his foundational academic years, he maintained a stellar record, consistently earning distinction and holding top ranks.

Following his graduation, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay made a defining choice to join the Armed Forces. Initially, his father was slightly skeptical of his decision, harboring concerns that military life might expose his son to habits like drinking alcohol and eating non-vegetarian food. Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay firmly reassured his father, stating that if the values instilled in him were truly strong, he would never adopt those habits. With his father’s blessing, he officially joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) on August 20, 1984, as a Pilot Officer.

While serving in the IAF, he remained relentlessly committed to his childhood dream. He utilized the military’s provisions to clear the GATE exam and other requisite tests, successfully securing admission into IIT Delhi. He spent seven remarkable years at IIT Delhi as a top-tier 'A' grade student in his hostel, completing both his M.Tech and Ph.D. During this intensive study period, he steadily rose through the military ranks, transitioning from a Pilot Officer to a Flying Officer, and subsequently to a Flight Lieutenant.

His father continuously advised him not to limit himself solely to defense operations, but to keep growing in the academic and research sectors. Taking this to heart, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay embarked on a dynamic career blending military leadership with high-level technological research. He was sent on vital deputations to the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Air Headquarters, and Army Headquarters.

He served across various field assignments, taking on heavy responsibilities as a Commanding Officer and Station Commander. Over his distinguished military career, he successfully climbed the ranks from Pilot Officer to Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, and finally Air Commodore. He proudly hung up his boots after completing his command as the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) in Pune.

During his time as a Squadron Leader and beyond, the Government of India and the IAF entrusted him with critical international deputations. He was sent to England, spending significant time in London and what was phonetically noted as the \\\\\\\"Crown Philipino City\\\\\\\" (often associated with Cranfield/defense sectors in the UK). He also traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel, working closely with various private and government organizations to develop specialized, defense-oriented projects for DRDO and the Air Force.

Before transitioning entirely to academia, his extensive scientific expertise was utilized at the highest levels; he worked as a Principal Advisor and Programme Director at DRDO in Bangalore, and held prominent roles at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Delhi.

His illustrious defense career is heavily decorated. Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay received Commendation Medals from both the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief and the Chief of the Air Staff. Most notably, he was honored with the prestigious Presidential Award, the Vishisht Seva Medal, presented to him by the former President of India, Bharat Ratna Dr. Pranab Mukherjee. Adding to his accolades, he was honored by his home state when the then-Governor of Bihar, Shri Ram Nath Kovind (who later became the President of India), awarded him the Bihar Gaurav Samman at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

After retiring from the armed forces, his father advised him to channel his extensive accolades and experience into society by contributing to the development of the youth workforce. Inspired by this vision, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay transitioned directly into higher education leadership. Since 2014, he has served continuously without a break as the Vice-Chancellor for several reputed institutions, including Amity University and Symbiosis University. Today, under the dynamic leadership and motivation of the philanthropic educator Sardar Gurvinder Singh Bahra, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay imparts his varied, rich experience to the learned faculty and students across the Rayat-Bahra group.

Approaching his duties with immense passion, he believes in raising the bar every single day, beautifully quoting in Hindi:

\"हर दिन लगता है कि अलग सी उड़ान भरी जाये” (Every day feels like taking a new flight).

He views his role not merely as an administrator, but as a protector and mentor, stating, “I am not just a Vice-Chancellor, I am also a very strict guardian for the children. So, my role in this university is of a guru and a guardian”. Committed to societal growth, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar ensures that with every passing month and year, the society is immensely benefited by the highly qualified and vibrant workforce cultivated under his care.

As a motivational speaker recognized at both national and international levels, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar brings a profoundly positive philosophy to his administration. His favorite slogan and guiding mantra across every university he leads is: \\\\\\\"Come happy and go happier.\\\\\\\" He envisions the university and the workplace as a dynamic \\\\\\\"charging station,\\\\\\\" ensuring that every teacher, faculty member, and student gets fully charged and energized before they pack up for the day.

Deeply passionate about promoting India, its vibrant states, and its cities, he consistently reminds his students of the country's historical greatness. He draws heavy inspiration from ancient, world-leading Indian educational institutions like Takshashila, Vikramshila, and Nalanda University. By embracing the government's National Education Policy (NEP) and implementing it one step at a time, he aims to help Indian education reclaim that global leadership. Furthermore, drawing upon his proud roots as a \\\\\\\"Fauji\\\\\\\" (military) officer, he deliberately fills the hearts of his students with patriotic fervor, thrill, excitement, and joy, ensuring they remain energetic and deeply connected to their nation.

To make life truly unparalleled, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay places immense emphasis on holistic personality development. He firmly believes that a true personality cannot be developed solely inside high-tech laboratories or by merely memorizing books; it is cultivated outside the classroom. His ultimate goal is to nurture students in such a way that society is incredibly proud of them.

When parents bring their children to the university, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay makes a solemn promise: if they allow their children to enter this environment, their safety, security, grooming, and complete holistic development become his personal responsibility. He strongly reiterates that a Vice-Chancellor is never just an academic or administrative head, but a strict, caring guardian. This unwavering commitment to ensuring that students remain happy, completely safe, and thriving stands as the greatest recognition and pride of the Rayat-Bahra University campus.

Continuing his profound vision for the campus, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay describes Rayat-Bahra University, Mohali, as an incredibly unique institution defined by its rich blend of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary programs. Operating with a fully student-centric approach, the university breaks traditional academic boundaries. For instance, a student pursuing a rigorous engineering degree is completely free to simultaneously attend music classes. The ultimate objective is not merely to mold students into competent professionals, but to fundamentally shape them into multi-dimensional citizens. The goal is to develop their overall personalities so deeply that wherever they go, they can effortlessly secure a prominent place in society.

Addressing one of the most critical concerns of parents and guardians—whether their children will secure successful careers—Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay makes a firm, heartfelt promise. He assures all families that the students they entrust to the university will absolutely succeed.

Backed by a 100% placement assistance program, the university seamlessly bridges the gap between academia and industry. Students are actively recruited by top-tier companies, with some remarkable talents securing massive salary packages extending up to one crore. For Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay, every student arrives with a unique dream, and as Vice-Chancellor, he lives through those aspirations. He poignantly states that the day his students fulfill their dreams is the day his own dream is completely fulfilled. This compassionate vision is entirely shared by the Honorable Chairman and Chancellor, Sardar Gurvinder Singh Bahra, whose daily aspiration is simply to see the students smiling, playing, studying, and continually developing their personalities.

To motivate the youth, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay recites a powerful, poetic message in Hindi:

ज़िंदगी कि असली उड़ान बाकी है,

जिंदगी के कई इम्तेहान अभी बाकी है।

अभी तो नापी है मुट्ठी भर ज़मीन हमने,

अभी तो सारा आसमान बाकी है।

Rayat- Bahra University Vice- Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar warmly extends an open invitation to students seeking to touch that sky of success, welcoming them to take admission in the lush green, highly disciplined, and highly professional campus of Rayat-Bahra University in Mohali.

He reiterates his defining promise to incoming students: he is not just a Vice-Chancellor or a guru, but a dedicated guardian, ensuring they have absolutely no cause for worry. The university takes full personal responsibility for their employability, industry orientation, social awareness, and their eventual role in national development. Whether a student wants to launch a startup, dive into entrepreneurship, join the corporate world, enter the government or public sectors, expand their family business, or pursue higher studies abroad, the university makes every necessary arrangement. To achieve this effectively, the faculty meticulously segments students based on their specific career interests to provide targeted, specialized guidance. This comprehensive support is powered by the university's massive research and innovation incubation center and a state-of-the-art, high-tech central instrumentation facility, empowering students to pursue absolutely anything and everything according to their true passions.