Renowned academician and Vice-Chancellor of Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University (SGBAU) Dr Dileep Namdev Malkhede passed away following a prolonged illness, at 6.40 am on Saturday at Sahyadri Hospital in Pune. He was 56. Meanwhile, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister, have expressed condolence on Dr Malkhede’s demise. The Governor recalled Dr Malkhede’s academic services and how he took a keen interest in holistic development of SGBAU especially to bring excellence in higher academics, and stated “his untimely death is a great loss to the field of education”. Dr Malkhede was battling leukemia for over a year. He was under treatment for several months after which he recovered and resumed duties. However, he suffered a relapse in October last and was taking treatment at a Pune hospital where he passed away on Monday. He is survived by wife, two sons, parents and relatives. Born on August 27, 1966, Dr Malkhede was born in Bahiram Karajgaon village in in Amravati district.

 

He completed graduation and post-graduation in Mechanical Engineering from Government Engineering College, Amravati. He did research from the renowned IIT, Mumbai and went on to complete PhD. He was appointed professor of Mechanical Engineering at the College of Engineering, Pune and went on to become HoD. He also worked on deputation in the All-India Technical Education Council as Consultant-1.

 

Dr Malkhede assumed office as the 8th Vice-Chancellor of SGBAU on September 16, 2021. When he was appointed from among 120 aspirants, it was a moment of great pride for people of Amravati to see the on of the district take over reins of the University. Sulabha Khodke, MLA, expressing grief over the sad demise stated that the Amravati University as well as academic sector has suffered a great loss. “Since September 2021, Dr Malkhede had taken made many efforts to take the University to newer heights for which he has signed agreements with many educational institutions and universities,” she said. Dr Pravin Raghuvanshi, President of Nagpur University Teachers Association and also Senate member, said, “It is a huge loss for SGBAU as well as entire Vidarbha as a visionary and experienced academician has left us.” Dr Vijaykumar Choubey, Incharge Vice-Chancellor, Dr Tushar Deshmukh, Registrar,, heads of educational and administrative departments, teachers, officers, employees, principals and students have expressed grief over the sad demise. The body is being brought to Amravati from Pune and the last rites will be performed at Hindu crematorium at 10 am on Sunday, January 29. The funeral procession will start from his official residence in the University premises.