Dr. Ishari K.Ganesh is a distinctive self-made personality, who believes in deeds and not mere words, was born on 07 .10.1966. Born in a middle class family, he had to taste the bitterness of life in his attempts to secure admission in high profile educational institutions.
Dr. Ishari K.Ganesh, studied in Bharat Senior Secondary School, Chennai till 10th standard (1977-1982) and pursued higher secondary education in Hindu Senior Secondary School, Chennai (1982-1984).
After completion of B.Com and M.Com between 1985 and 1990 in Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, he once again proved his leadership qualities and became the student’s union secretary of Pachaiyappa’s College in the year 1987-1988.
Though he started an institution in 1992, he continued his studies and completed his B.L at Madurai Kamaraj University. His research on “Public Administration, Policy Making and Development in Tamil Nadu” between 1991 and 1996 was recognized by the University of Madras, which conferred the Ph.Don him in the year 2000.
He continued his tryst with education as a student and obtained various other degrees under distance education from the University of Madras. He is currently pursuing his M.L Degree from Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai.
He made the vision of the Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam as the mission ofhis university, “to make India, a knowledge-power by 2020”. He invited Dr. Abdul Kalam to felicitate his graduates and grace university occasions more than once. Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh actively represents the collective opinion of educationists in Tamil N adu to the central and the state government.
He enjoys meeting the representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education, NAAC committees, AICTE, MCI, DCI, PCI, DGS and UGC to understand their proposals to all deemed universities. He is popularly termed as “the man you can trust” for professional support in resolving disagreements between educational institutions and regulatory bodies.
Dr. Ishari K.Ganesh has offered immeasurable dedication to grow the values and international popularity of Tamil language and its culture. He draws motivation from Kalaignar Dr. M. Karunanidhi, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and frequently seeks advice from him and his associates to create opportunities for the development of Tamil language.
Dr. lshari K. Ganesh promotes Tamil literature, art, music, dance and drama in many ways. He funds and organizes several Tamil cultural programmes in India and abroad. He provides pension to retired and struggling drama artists and offers free education to their children and grand children in his institutions.
Successful Journey in the Field of Education
Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh holds prominent positions and memberships in many leading associations, institutions, charitable trusts and industries. His middle class family background, grit, and commitment to social service and the development of marginalized people, enabled him to establish “Vels Group of Institutions” under Vaels Educational Trust in 1992.
As his interest in education increased, he started a number of trusts and private organizations in his capacity as chairman or member. He guided these trusts to provide education, medical facilities in rural areas, assistance to orphanages and to old people in need.
The trusts and organizations under his care are:
- Vaels Educational Trust
- Vels Institute of Science, Technology andAdvanced Studies (VISTAS)
- Vinayaka Educational Trust
- Vetri Educational Trust
- Vel Ganesh Educational Trust
- Amarar Isari Velan Charitable Trust
- Vels Education Society
The Vaels Educational Trust was established on 06.07.1992 as a charitable educational trust managing a group of educational institutions. It had a humble beginning through the college of pharmacy with just 36 students. With zeal and passion for education he introduced one new institution every other year. Today, the Vels Group of Institutions is spread across is spread across eleven campuses in Chennai, Hyderabad and Singapore offering diverse disciplines from Pre-KG to Ph.D.
His vision is to provide quality education to the under privileged and the weaker sections of the society; to provide equal opportunities to all, to establish a University with world class facilities and infrastructure. This ambition was materialized in the year 2008 when he was successful in integrating various educational institutions into Vels University and becoming the Youngest Chancellor of a University in India.
The University status was conferred after completing all the formalities on 04.06.2008 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India through its Notification No.F.9- 56/2004-U.3 and by University Grants Commission in its Notification No.F.6-4/2005(CPP-n dated 30th July 2008.
The multifaceted, need based, magnificent Vels Group of Institutions under the single umbrella cover of Vels Educational Trust highlights the commitment and dedication towards the noble cause of higher education. It continues to light the lamp of education on countless thresholds hidden in the folds and crevices oflndia. Vels group ofinstitutions, holds high the blazing beacon of quality and affordable education for all.
The university is multi-disciplinary offering varied and innovative courses in emerging areas. The university offers 48 under graduate, 40 post graduate Programmes and 10 Diploma and Certificate Programmes of contemporary relevance in employment and knowledge.
The academic departments are under different schools: School of Basic Sciences, School of Life Sciences, School of Computing Sciences, School of Hotel & Catering Management, School of Engineering, School of Maritime Studies, School of Management Studies and Commerce, School of Mass Communication, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Physiotherapy and School of Languages.
The academic infrastructure available with various departments has registered an astounding growth over the years. Laboratories and classrooms are equipped with internet connectivity for interactive learning and the campus is Wi-Fi enabled for self-learning.
A “Full Mission Bridge Simulator” worth nearly 10 crore simulating real sea faring experience has been installed in the University to facilitate hands-on training for Nautical Science students. They can virtually access every ocean and harbor in the world. The Thalambur campus has a SHIP-IN-CAMPUS for Marine Engineering that provides a unique facility for training Students as if they are working in a ship. It is certainly a unique opportunity for cadets to actually operate and learn the working of main engine and other engine room auxiliaries as if they are experiencing in ship.
The University is also working closely with different ministries in India on several projects in the field if science and technology. Its contribution to fish immunology has received international recognition and has been recognised and closely followed up by prospective investors from abroad.
Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, in his personal capacity has partnered with Management Development Institute of Singapore, which is Singapore’s oldest and the most established not-for-profit professional institute for lifelong learning. The partnership “MDIS VELS” brings educational pathways for students to study international degree programmes at a very affordable fee, exposing students to horizons beyond India. A partnership that is first ofits kind in India.
Sri Venkateswara Dental College & Hospital, established in 2007, is approved by Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Dental Council of India (DCI), New Delhi, Ministry ofHealth & Family Welfare, Govt. of India and is affiliated to the Tamil N adu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai.
Meghna Dental College, Nizamabad, Telangana state was taken over by Dr. lshari K. Ganesh in theAcademicyear2013-14.
Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences, Shivareddypet, Vikarabad was taken over by Dr. lshari K. Ganesh in the year 2015.
Vels Vidyashram, established in 1997, with classes from Pre-KG to Std. XII, is approved by the Government of Tamil Nadu and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). It is ranked number 1 in Chennai for academic excellence (CBSE) by The Education Today 2018.
A new branch of Vels Vidyashram was established in 2014-15 at Thalambur to provide access to quality education for underprivileged students belonging to semi-urban areas. An exclusive KG school has come up in Pallavaram cantonment on demand from parents and residents of Pallavaram.
Vels International Preschool, is a primary school formed to off er classes from play school to grade 2 in N eelankarai on East Coast Road, Chennai. It is ranked number 1 in India by The Education Today 2018 and also recognized as the best preschool in Chennai by Brainfeed Magazine.
Vaels International School, established in 2004,off ers classes from Grade ill to Grade XII in ICSE and I GCSE streams at Injambakkam on East Coast Road, Chennai. It is ranked number 1 ISCE schoolin Tamil Nadu by The Education Today 2018 also ranked as number 1 International Day School in Tamil Nadu by The Education World 2017 – 2018.