Dr Sharath K Rao takes charge as Vice-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Udupi: A renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Sharath K Rao, has assumed office as the eighth Vice-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) on Friday.
With a career spanning over four decades, Dr Rao brings a wealth of experience in clinical work and academic administration. His appointment is seen as a step towards strengthening academic excellence at MAHE.
Dr Rao officially assumed office on May 1, 2026, succeeding MD Venkatesh, who had been serving as Vice-Chancellor since July 1, 2020.
His deep clinical expertise, combined with extensive administrative insight, marks a significant step forward in MAHE’s journey of excellence.
Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K completed his MBBS from Mysore University in 1985, followed by an MS in Orthopaedics in 1988 from Mangalore University. An alumnus of KMC, Mangalore, he joined the Department of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, as an Assistant Lecturer in the year 1988. Since then, he has been serving the institution in various capacities.
Since 2000, he has served in the Department of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, as the Head of Unit – V. He was the Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at KMC, Manipal, during 2009-2014, and served as the Associate Dean of KMC, Manipal, during 2015-2019. He was appointed as the Dean of KMC, Manipal in August 2019. At present, he has been in the position of Pro Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences since 2023.
Dr. Sharath served as the President of the Karnataka Orthopaedic Association in 2013 and President of the Orthopaedic Association of South Indian States (OASIS) in the year 2018. He also served as the Executive Council Member and Chairman of AO Trauma India.
Dr. Sharath has 103 publications in indexed journals to his credit. In addition, he has also published several chapters in books related to trauma, joint replacement, and arthroscopy. He has delivered lectures and conducted workshops in Europe, the USA, South America, Southeast Asia, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand on AO Trauma.
He is a renowned speaker in the field of Complex Trauma, Arthroscopy, and Arthroplasty in conferences and CMEs all over India and overseas. In 2025, he was awarded Honorary FRCP by the Royal College of Physicians, London, for his work on Medical Leadership and Health Care Management.
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