Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Bhatia

First Vice-Chancellor

Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University of Health Sciences, Karnal

Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Bhatia is serving as the first Vice-Chancellor of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University of Health Sciences, Karnal. He is an eminent academician, public health expert, and institution builder with distinguished service in medical education, healthcare leadership, research, and national public health systems.

Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Bhatia completed his MBBS and MD in Community Medicine at Sewagram, Maharashtra under the guidance of Dr. Sushila Nayar. His professional background includes prestigious fellowship associations with IMSA, IPHA, and IAPSM.

He served as the Founder Executive Director of AIIMS Bibinagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, from 2020 to 2025 during the COVID lockdown with the mission of establishing the new Institute of National Importance. Under his leadership, outpatient services commenced promptly, multiple Specialty & Super-speciality became functional, indoor and ICU services were strengthened, OTs were established, 60 academic programmes started, and research and community outreach were actively established.

Previously, he served as the Founder Dean of AIIMS Bhubaneswar from 2012 to 2019, playing a pivotal role in operationalizing the institution from day one. A wide range of medical, nursing, paramedical, super-speciality, and research programmes were initiated during this formative phase under his guidance. Dr. Bhatia also served as Health Officer in UNICEF, faculty in GMCH Chandigarh, and PGI Chandigarh.

Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Bhatia's career reflects extensive contributions to community medicine, immunization, child survival, nutrition, disease surveillance, school health, flood response, capacity building, and health system strengthening. He has led major initiatives in partnership with UNICEF and governmental bodies across Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana, focusing on routine immunization, Japanese Encephalitis vaccination, and establishing child survival resource centers.

His academic contributions include over 200 journal articles, 52 funded research projects, technical documents, books, modules, book chapters, and more than 300 presentations globally. He has received multiple honors and recognitions from governmental, professional, and international bodies.

As Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Bhatia brings decades of rich experience in academic administration, public health leadership, and healthcare system development. His journey reflects a steadfast commitment to establishing a new Medical University in Haryana, elevating excellence in health sciences education, and service to the nation.