Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad is Founding Executive President and Managing Trustee of the Maharashtra Academy of Engineering and Educational Research (MAEER), as well as Founder and Director-General of the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) in Pune, India. MAEER was founded in 1983, with the goal to become a “Center of Excellence in the field of education and research.” It now encompasses 71 institutes, colleges and schools in the fields of engineering, management, pharmacy, medicine, and general education, including the Maharashtra Academy of Engineering, MIT, MIT Women Engineering College, MIT School of Management, Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education, Maharashtra Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, and Maharashtra Institute of Pharmacy. 

MIT was also established in 1983, and was among the first private, engineering colleges in the Maharashtra, and since remains as the most important flagship institution of MAEER, offering undergraduate engineering studies in nine disciplines and post-graduate studies in three disciplines. Dr. Karad further serves as Founding President and Director General of the World Peace Center of MAEER’s MIT and is the UNESCO Chair Holder for Human Rights, Democracy and Peace. The activities of the World Peace Center include environmental and educational projects, peace studies, human rights, and the promotion of human values.