Principal of a reputed college in Indore, Professor Vishal Mehta is a visionary academic leader with over 25 years of experience and more than 50 published research papers. He has authored four books, co-developed the globally sold educational product Maths Guru, and received multiple prestigious awards for his contributions to academia.

Prof. Vishal Mehta is currently serving as the Principal of the College of Professional Studies-ATC, a unit of Shivajirao Kadam Institute of Technology and Management, Indore.

He shares that at the College of Professional Studies-ATC, students pursuing B.Com and BBA are provided with ample opportunities for holistic development. In addition to strong academic resources, the college ensures full exposure to a wide range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities, skill-based learning, internships, project work, and writing research papers.

Students interested in learning the tricks of Marketing are given hands-on job responsibilities in the field, and those inclined towards Finance are offered relevant opportunities as well. All students are encouraged to pursue short-term certification courses, which the college organizes and provides certification for.

While the B.Com and BBA curriculum is prescribed by the Department of Higher Education, the college has thoughtfully added value-based components to it. These add-on certifications and courses are designed to boost students’ confidence and enhance their skill sets. This approach aligns well with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP), supporting students’ academic and personal growth.

Moreover, the college places a strong emphasis on NSS activities and social service, with a firm belief that students should not only excel academically but also grow into responsible citizens of the country.

An additional USP (Unique Selling Proposition) of the college is its commitment to building a transparent and collaborative relationship with students’ parents, fostering a supportive and inclusive educational environment.

Speaking about his achievements, Principal Prof. Mehta shares that in his academic career spanning over 25 years, he has made significant contributions to the field of research. He has authored more than 50 research papers, which have been published in reputed national and international journals. Additionally, he has written four books, with a fifth currently in progress.

One of his notable contributions is a product titled “Maths Guru”, which he co-developed with a friend. The product covers basic mathematics from classes 6 to 10, encompassing 45 chapters, and was specifically designed for national and international markets. This educational tool was well-received and was successfully sold internationally by Telemax Company.

Apart from this, Principal Prof. Mehta has also been honored with awards by various prestigious organizations, including RFI and Human Resource Conferences, in recognition of his contributions to academia and innovation.

Speaking about what inspired him to join the field of education, Prof. Vishal Mehta shares that it was more of an accidental inspiration. During his student days, he had a friend who worked for eight months a year and studied for the remaining four. Prof. Mehta used to help him with his studies, and over time, he discovered that he truly enjoyed teaching.

By the time he was in Class 11, he had already started giving tuitions. He began teaching professionally in what he calls an unorganized market, and gradually, as he completed his M.Com, he realized that education was his true passion.

He began teaching at the college level while simultaneously pursuing and completing all his academic qualifications. His formal teaching career started in 1999, and over the past 25 years, he has continued to grow through shared learning experiences with students.

To keep himself continuously updated and relevant, Professor Mehta pursued various certifications and added two postgraduate degrees to his academic portfolio. He firmly believes that by maintaining the mindset of a student himself, he can better understand students' energy, thinking, and aspirations. According to him, this ability to step into a student’s shoes allows him to connect with them more effectively and support them on their educational path.

Reflecting on his early years, Principal Prof. Vishal Mehta shares that he was born in Mumbai, but when he was just six years old, his family relocated to Indore due to certain circumstances. From that point onward, he pursued all his schooling in Indore, attending three different schools in the city. He also completed both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies from a reputed college in Indore.

Passionate Mentor Prof. Vishal further pursued a Ph.D. and an MBA from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, and later earned an M.A. in Economics from another university, continuously adding to his academic qualifications.

Reminiscing about his childhood memories, Prof. Mehta recalls that childhood in his time was quite different from what children experience today. Kids today are often born with a silver spoon, he remarks, but his childhood involved its fair share of struggles and learning.

He recalls how, as children, they would often ask their parents for things, only to be told to manage on their own—something that turned out to be a valuable life lesson. “When you learn to manage things yourself, you actually learn a lot more,” he says. Children back then had the freedom to explore and try out many new things. Whether it was organizing small programs with friends or participating in family events, there were no restrictions, which allowed them to learn easily and organically through experiences.

A Visionary Educator, Professor Vishal Mehta believes that it is not possible to have just one role model for an entire lifetime. Throughout his life, many individuals have influenced him at different stages, offering him valuable guidance and direction that helped shape the person he is today.

Among the most impactful mentors in his life are his teachers Milind and Deepak Khare, who taught him during his 11th and 12th grades. Recognizing his potential for teaching, they encouraged him to consider it as a career. After completing Class 12, he was given an opportunity to teach at their coaching institute. It was there that he learned a powerful lesson: teaching is not merely a profession for earning money, but a way to contribute meaningfully to society.

They instilled in him the belief that if one truly wants to bring about positive change in society, education is a powerful tool. "When you teach, you develop confidence within yourself," they told him, "and that confidence will help you in every aspect of life." This message left a lasting impression on him, and from that moment, he began his career as an educator.

Even today, despite his position as Principal of the College of Professional Studies, ATC, and the numerous responsibilities that come with it, he makes it a point to take a few lectures every day. He feels that teaching keeps him connected to students and helps him maintain and nurture the same confidence in both himself and his students.

Research Contributor Prof. Mehta also shares another deeply personal inspiration—his mother. He lost his father at a very young age, and it was his mother who stood by him through every challenge, providing unwavering moral support and encouragement. Her strength and sacrifices played a crucial role in helping him move forward in life.

The quote that inspires Prof. Vishal Mehta the most is:

“Dare to dream the impossible. The dreams will give you wings to realise them.”

He not only follows this mantra but firmly believes that the word "impossible" should be eliminated from our lives altogether. According to him, we must have the courage to dream big, even if those dreams seem out of reach.

Prof. Vishal Mehta’s advice to the students and parents of SKITM is rooted in the belief that the institution is not just focused on academics, but is equally committed to the holistic development of every student.

He emphasizes that regardless of the stream a student belongs to, they must not only gain knowledge but also develop a strong sense of social responsibility, self-confidence, and above all, become a good human being. The institution strives to instill values that encourage students to think not just about themselves, but also about their family, society, and the nation.

He highlights that at SKITM, marks are not the only goal. What matters more is what the student gains during their time at the institute. Prof. Mehta and his team focus on ensuring that by the time a student graduates, they leave with the right knowledge, values, skills, and mindset to succeed in life.

According to him, the 4–5 years of education and experiences that students receive at SKITM should become a lifetime asset. Wherever they go in the world, they should carry forward the values and learning they received from the institution. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every student achieves academic excellence and becomes the best version of themselves.

College of Professional Studies Principal Prof. Vishal Mehta concludes by quoting: "To be thankful, is to recognise God’s love in everything." This quote reflects his deep belief in gratitude and the recognition of divine grace in every aspect of life.