Dr. Manpreet Singh Manna
Former Director
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Dr. Manpreet Singh Manna, born on 14th March 1971 at Patiala, Punjab (India), graduated in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Mysore University, Mysore in the year 1993. He did his Master of Engineering in Power & Machines from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala and Ph.D. from S.L.I.E.T. (A Centrally Funded Deemed University), Longowal, Punjab. Starting his teaching profession as Lecturer from Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (S.L.I.E.T.) in the year 1997, he attained the position of Director, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, New Delhi on deputation from 2014 to 2018. Dr. Manna has discharged his duties as In-charge of various Bureaus/Cell, viz. University Bureau, Administration Bureau, Legal Cell, NEQIP Cell and In-charge Regional Office, SWRO, Trivanthapuram. During his 4 years tenure in AICTE, he also worked as Director of “SWAYAM MOOCs” project and Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS).
SWAYAM is the world’s largest MOOCs Platform developed by MHRD, Government of India for providing unique educational opportunities to the citizens of India for expanding their horizons of knowledge for life-long learning, free of cost. Dr. Manna was given this important assignment to complete the SWAYAM Platform within a time-bound manner and he with his persistent efforts and the able guidance of his Seniors at MHRD and AICTE, completed the development of “SWAYAM PLATFORM” for hosting the online courses (MOOCs) within a record time and declared the same go-live for public well before the stipulated target.
Dr. Manna received the “COMMENDATION AWARD” from Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the Hon’ble President of India during the Launch of the “SWAYAM PLATFORM” on 9th July, 2017 for hispioneering and outstanding contribution towards development of the Platform. Dr. Manna’s contribution towards Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme has also been appreciated for providing Scholarships to the meritorious Students of Jammu & Kashmir through online counseling for admission in Medical, Engineering, Nursing, Hotel Management and Humanities in the reputed Institutions throughout the Country.
Dr. Manna successfully organized the “SWACCHATA RANKING 2017- AWARD CEREMONY” on 14th September, 2017 at “The Ashok”, New Delhi apart from having received the prestigious WEF (Women Economic Forum) Award of “Exceptional Leaders of Excellence, 2017” from the Hon’ble Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India during the International Seminar on “Innovating for Wealth & Wellness at Personal andNational Level.”
Dr. Manna was invited by UNO, Geneva for delivering a Special Talk on “SWAYAM MOOCs” during inter-sessional Panel of the United Nations Commission on Science & Technology for Development (CSTD) from 6-8th November, 2017. Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi deputed Dr.Manpreet Singh Manna, Director (SWAYAM) to represent Government of India to participate in Asia Pacific Regional Seminar on Awareness of SWAYAM MOOCs for Higher Education held at Shenzen, China 11-13th June, 2018. He also lead the Delegation from India with invitation from BRICS International forum and Ministry of Energy, Russia at Moscow during Energy Week of Russia 3-6 Oct., 2018.
Dr. Manna also successfully organised the inauguration of “HACKATHON-2017” on 9th November, 2016 at Teen Murti Bhavan, New Delhi under the benign Chairmanship of Hon’ble Union Minister for Human Resource Development in the presence of eminent academicians and intellectuals from all over the Country. Dr. Manna conducted “Smart India Hackathon” Workshops, the first and biggest ever events in India under the aegis of MHRD having support from as many as 25 Ministries and Government Departments across the Country to disseminate awareness among the students of Computer/IT/Electronics of all Engineering & Technological Institutions for active participation in this World’s largest event.
Dr. Manna was deputed as visiting Associate Professor by Ministry of HRD to AIT, Bangkok during 2012 session. He is a Fellow of Institutions of Engineers (India) and ISQEM, UK. He is Senior Member of IEEE USA, ISRD USA and IETI, Hong Kong. Dr. Manna is also Life Member of ISTE India,IACSIT Singapore. Dr. Manna has published about 140 Research Publications for leading National and International Journals and attended a number of Conferences in the field of Engineering and Technology. He has delivered Expert Talks on various topics in his area of expertise on National
TV channels and Institutions in India and abroad apart from chairing the session in IASTED Conferences at San Francisco, USA and Bangkok, Thailand. He is also serving/ed as Editor and Reviewer for many International Referred Journals, Books and AICTE News Bulletin. He has also contributed chapters for various prominent technical education books. He edited one exclusive book for faculty entitled “ Higher Education Faculty Career Orientation and Advancement” published by CEGR and released by Secretary HE, MHRD and Chairman AICTE in 2017. He has guided many UG and PG Projects/Dissertations. Keeping in view his vast experience in the area of Technical Education, IEEE Society has elected him as Executive Member for IEEE Delhi Section for the year 2016.
Dr. Manna has been nominated as member of the various committees like J & K state fee Structure Committee and member of BOG of IIM Vishakhapatnam; Member of Divisional Railway User Consultative Committee (DRUCC); Honorary Advisor on the Board of CMAI of India,Confederation in Education Excellence, New Delhi, CEGR, New Delhi and Girls InTech Foundation, Hyderabad. Dr. Manna has been elected as President of the CEGR Core Committee for 2017-18.Apart from the “COMMENDATION AWARD” felicitated by the Former Hon’ble President of India, Dr. Manna has been conferred with following Awards
• Shreshth Aacharya Award-2011
• Bharat Excellence Award’ with ‘Gold Medal’ by the Former Election Commissioner of
India at IIC, New Delhi in 2014.
• Best Citizens of India Award-2014 from FFI, New Delhi,
• Outstanding Faculty Award-2015 VIFFA at Chennai
• Rashtriya Shiksha Gaurav Puraskar-2015 from CEGR, New Delhi.
• Exceptional Leaders of Excellence, 2017 the prestigious WEF (Women Economic Forum)
Award from the Hon’ble Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution during the International Seminar on “Innovating for Wealth & Wellness- at Personal and National Level.
• Innovative Policy Maker Award -2017 from News India & GESA, India.
• Eminent Engineers Award-2017” from Institutions of Engineers (India) at Ahmedabad.
• Medal of Honour -2018 from World Peace & Diplomacy organisation & Confederation of International Accreditation Commission during 5th International Education Forum at IIC, New Delhi on 16th June, 2018.
He visited the countries like USA, Switzerland, Russia, Thailand, Singapore and China to Chair the sessions, for Invited talks, presenting papers and on teaching assignments etc.