Building a Sustainable Academic Hub: A Conversation with GMU Chancellor Prof. Manda Venkatramana

Q1. What’s your vision for GMU over the next five years, and how will you get there?

GMU’s goal is simple and ambitious: to be an internationally respected, sustainable academic healthcare institution. We run a rolling five-year plan with clear goals, KPIs, owners, and timelines tracked by the Quality Assurance and Institutional Effectiveness team. My job is to keep execution honest, decisions data driven, and outcomes visible. Recent ranking gains show the trajectory is right.

Q2. How are you integrating digital learning and AI into education?

Technology is baked into the curriculum. Students learn with virtual patients, AR, and VR. We have dedicated capacity through the Thumbay Institute of AI in Healthcare and the Thumbay Lab for AI in Healthcare, so learners work on real problems in diagnostics, operations, and clinical decision support.

Q3. What does diversity, equity, and inclusion look like on campus?

It’s part of daily life. Our community represents around 106 nationalities and we celebrate that at Global Day. Policies focus on access, inclusion, and student voice. External benchmarks echo this, including strong placement in Impact Rankings for Reduced Inequalities.

Q4. How does GMU address global issues like climate change and public health?

We operate a Sustainability Unit and publish progress on SDGs, but the engine is academic. Climate and health content runs through programs, and the Thumbay Institute of Population Health drives research and community projects. Policy, curriculum, and research work together to create measurable impact.

Q5. How are you partnering with industry to boost student employability?

Industry is a co-educator here. Advisory boards shape syllabi. Partners co-supervise projects. Our Career Fair and Industry Partners Meet connect students and employers in healthcare, pharma, and allied sectors. It’s ongoing, not a one-off event.

Q6. What are you doing for student mental health and well-being?

Support is layered and proactive. The Thumbay Institute for Mental Health and a Students’ Wellbeing Center work alongside college-level happiness units and Student Affairs. The aim is early help, easy access, and zero stigma.

Q7. How will you attract and retain top faculty in a competitive market?

Create the conditions serious academics want. Transparent governance. Respect for time and scholarship. Strong clinical and research infrastructure. Competitive pay. Clear pathways to lead institutes, centers, and innovation projects. When people can do their best work, they stay.

Q8. How are you activating the alumni network for current students and new grads?

Alumni serve as mentors, guest speakers, project reviewers, and hiring connectors through our Alumni Summit and year-round engagement. Their feedback loops into curriculum updates and career services, so what we teach maps to what employers need.

Q9. One motivational line for a highway billboard?

Be the change you want to see in the world.