Dr. Varun Keshari

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Dr. Varun Keshari, a seasoned academician, researcher, and institutional leader, currently serving as Associate Professor and Director, IQAC at Indore Institute of Management and Research, a constituent of the IIST Group of Institutions, Indore.

With a diverse and dynamic career spanning over 17 years, Dr. Keshari brings a rich blend of 14 years of academic and research experience and 3 years of experience in the banking sector, where he worked across operations, sales, and wealth management.

Dr. Keshari holds a Ph.D. in Management from DAVV, Indore, under the guidance of Dr. C.A.P.K. Jain. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious Institute of Management Studies, DAVV, from where he completed his MBA in 2008. Prior to this, he earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from PMB Gujarati Science College, Indore.

Over the years, Dr. Keshari has played a pivotal role in academic leadership and institutional development. At Chameli Devi Group of Institutions, he served as Head of the Department of Management, Head of IQAC, Head of the Research and Development Cell, and the founding head of iFAME, the institute's Entrepreneurship Cell. He also led SAATH, the Social Activity Club, where he actively engaged in community-driven initiatives and student outreach programs. Under his leadership of the E-Cell, the i-FAME team secured top-three positions across India for three consecutive years at the IIT Bombay E-Cell event.

At SAGE University, he further contributed as Program Academic Coordinator for MBA, Head Mentor for first-year students, and Resource Person for Online Learning Modules, with a strong emphasis on academic consultancy and industry-academia integration.

One of Dr. Keshari's significant institutional achievements was successfully coordinating the first cycle of NAAC Accreditation. Under his leadership, the institution achieved an impressive A+ grade with a CGPA of 3.39. His dedication to quality assurance and academic excellence has not only contributed to raising institutional benchmarks but has also inspired faculty and students alike.

Beyond administrative excellence, Dr. Keshari is a passionate researcher. He has authored and co-authored over 12 UGC-CARE and SCOPUS-listed publications in reputed journals. His research interests primarily include consumer behavior, emotional branding, risk perception, and marketing strategies, with notable work on post-COVID buying behavior and gender-based marketing analysis.

He has also published two books titled “Marketing Management Trends” and “Navigating the Evolution of Consumer Engagement through Marketing 5.0.” He has guided more than 50 major research projects and 20 minor research projects and has served as a research mentor for PhD scholars, particularly in the areas of data analysis and interpretation. His case study on Organized Retail and Customer Experience is widely cited and appreciated in marketing academia.

Dr. Keshari's corporate journey includes his association with HSBC Bank in Mumbai, where he provided commercial banking solutions, managed treasury products, and developed new business channels. He also served with Centurion Bank of Punjab as Branch Operations Head, overseeing clearing operations and wealth management products for HNIs.

He has completed several industry projects and fieldwork assignments in collaboration with organizations including TATA Motors, ITC Fortune Hotels, Sony India, and Airtel Bharti Televentures. These experiences provided him with valuable hands-on exposure to market research, customer behavior, and sales strategy.

Dr. Keshari has also actively contributed to community-based research and city development initiatives. His notable field research projects include “Behtar Traffic – Behtar Indore” and a “Black Spot Survey” conducted for Indore Traffic Police. His social research contributions towards the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and urban planning near the Indore bypass further reflect his commitment to socially responsible scholarship.

In addition to his academic and research pursuits, Dr. Keshari is a certified trainer with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce and has completed faculty development programs at EDI Ahmedabad. He is also trained in Transactional Analysis (TA101) and has served as the NSS Program Officer for three years. He was also the Joint Secretary of the National Youth Conference for three consecutive editions.

Dr. Keshari is widely respected for his optimistic approach, confident leadership, decision-making ability, and punctuality. His hobbies include listening to music, teaching, and playing volleyball and badminton, activities that reflect his creative and team-oriented spirit.

Fluent in Hindi and English, he is known among his peers and students for his effective communication, innovative pedagogical methods, and student-centric mentoring style. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Dr. Keshari continues to explore new avenues in teaching, research, and community service.

To sum up, Dr. Varun Keshari is not only a scholar and administrator par excellence but also a committed professional who brings heart and vision to every role he undertakes. His journey is a testimony to what can be achieved through dedication, passion, and purpose. Let us welcome Dr. Varun Keshari.