With jobs that shift and industries that are shifting faster than ever before, education is the only constant that forms direction, values and purpose. Behind the story of every successful institution, there are leaders who silently give their time, thought, and experience to be invested in the building of people and not just the systems. These leaders are convinced that learning should be expanded along with the world, and the classrooms should equip students with the right set of skills along with abundant knowledge to excel in their work life as well. During the thirty plus years of his tenure within the field of management education, Dr. Purushottam Bung, the Professor & Director at RV Institute of Management, Bengaluru, has been involved in creating clarity and commitment with innovation in the field of management education.
Consistency as a Calling
Over three decades, he has quietly but firmly shaped young minds, strengthened academic systems, and reimagined what management education can be in a fast-changing world.
Dr. Bung stands as a respected academic leader, researcher, mentor, and edupreneur. His journey is not just about titles or rankings. It is about belief in people, belief in education, and in thinking big to achieve meaningful impact.
From Enterprise to Education
Dr. Bung’s professional journey did not begin in a classroom. It began in the world of enterprise, where real decisions had real consequences. His early exposure to entrepreneurship gave him practical insight into how businesses work, grow, and sometimes struggle. This experience became the foundation of his academic thinking.
While many see industry and academics as separate worlds, Dr. Bung saw them as deeply connected. Over time, he discovered that his true calling lay in teaching, mentoring, and shaping future leaders who could bridge theory with practice. That realization marked a turning point. He chose academics, not as a fallback, but as a deliberate and passionate pursuit.
This blend of entrepreneurial thinking and academic discipline continues to define his leadership style even today.
A Career Spanning More Than Three Decades
With more than 30 years of experience across academia and industry, both in India and abroad, Dr. Bung brings depth, maturity, and perspective to everything he does. He has worked as a teacher, trainer, entrepreneur, consultant, researcher, and academic leader.
What sets him apart is not just experience, but consistency. Over the years, he has remained deeply connected to students, faculty, and industry professionals alike. His classes focus not only on concepts, but on clarity and the application of concept in the real world scenarios. His leadership focuses not only on systems, but on people.
“Education should prepare students not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of learning and leadership,” he shares.
Academic Depth and Global Exposure
Dr. Bung’s academic foundation is both diverse and globally rooted. Trained initially as an engineer, he went on to pursue advanced management education from some of the world’s most respected institutions. He completed PGDM from the University of Melbourne, Australia, widely known as Melbourne Business School, followed by an MBA from Monash University, ranked 42nd among the top global universities by QS World Rankings 2024.
His commitment to research led him to earn a Ph.D. from Karnatak University in 2011. His doctoral work focused on a comparative study of the fruit processing industry between India and Brazil, with a special focus on mango. This research reflects his interest in applying management principles to real world industries under cross-country contexts, particularly in emerging economies.
Recognition Beyond Borders
Dr. Bung’s work has earned recognition at both national and international levels. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the World Academy of Productivity Sciences (WAPS), Canada, and a Research Fellow of the Institute of Productivity (IOP), United Kingdom. These affiliations reflect his commitment to productivity, research, and continuous improvement in education.
He has also received several awards for academic leadership, including being recognized as “Best Academic Leader of the Year” by professional bodies. Such honors, however, have never changed his focus. For him, recognition is meaningful only when it translates into better outcomes for students and institutions.
Thought Leadership and Research Contributions
Beyond teaching and institutional leadership, Dr. Bung has made consistent contributions to academic research. He has presented and published more than 39 research papers in national and international refereed journals, covering diverse areas of management and productivity. His work is valued for its practical relevance and industry linkage. He has authored/edited 4 books in the Mgmt. discipline.
He also serves as an expert in statutory, advisory, and editorial panels for several institutions, universities, NGOs, and academic journals. Through these roles, he actively contributes to curriculum development, research guidance, and academic quality enhancement, extending his impact well beyond his home institution.
A Responsibility and a Vision
As Director of RV Institute of Management, Dr. Bung wears many hats. His role goes far beyond administration. He is closely involved in admissions, placements, alumni engagement, research development, consultancy, faculty growth, infrastructure planning, industry linkage, Institutional collaborations, managing finances, accreditations, governance, and student development.
Under his leadership, RVIM has been re-accredited by NAAC with an A+ grade, reflecting strong academic quality and institutional performance across all the parameters. The institute has also earned the prestigious “Diamond” rating from QS I-Gauge, an international accreditation body. These milestones did not happen overnight. They are the result of steady planning, teamwork, and a clear sense of direction.
Dr. Bung says “An institution must continuously evolve. Standing still is the fastest way to fall behind.”
Preparing for the Next Decade
Looking to the future, Dr. Bung has a clear roadmap for RVIM. His vision extends beyond rankings and numbers. He wants RVIM to be known as an institution that creates value across 3 dimensions i.e., academic, social, and global.
In the coming years, his priorities include introducing new programs, expanding student intake, strengthening international collaborations, attracting students from across the world, and launching innovative courses aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP). Strengthening Research, consultancy, executive training, and community engagement are equally central to this vision.
For Dr. Bung, a business school should not only teach management, it should practice it.
Focus on Emerging and Relevant Areas
Understanding the changing needs of industry, Dr. Bung actively promotes education in niche and future-focused domains. Areas such as Start-up Management, Business Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies, and Healthcare Management are close to his academic interests.
He strongly encourages industry-oriented programs including conferences, workshops, seminars, Management Development Programs (MDPs), Faculty Development Programs (FDPs), management fests, Capacity Building Programs (CBPs), Student Development Programs (SDPs) and student immersion programs, both domestic and international.
These initiatives help students gain exposure beyond textbooks-classrooms-campus and develop confidence, skills, and adaptability.
His approach ensures that students are not only employable, but also capable of creating opportunities for themselves and others.
Research, Consultancy, and Social Responsibility
Dr. Bung believes that a true academic institution must contribute to society at large. Under his leadership, RVIM places strong emphasis on research, consultancy, extension activities, and social outreach. Faculty and students are encouraged to work on real-world problems and engage with communities and industries.
He sees research not as an isolated activity, but as a tool to improve teaching, policy, and practice. Consultancy, in his view, strengthens the bond between academia and industry while keeping learning relevant and grounded.
Beyond academics, Dr. Bung actively supports initiatives that promote social responsibility and inclusive growth. Through structured outreach programs, students are encouraged to apply management knowledge to social challenges, developing sensitivity, ethics, and civic awareness. He believes such experiences help shape socially conscious leaders who understand that true success lies in creating value not only for organizations, but also for society at large.
Training and Professional Engagement
Dr. Bung’s engagement with the professional world continues through consultancy and training. He has provided management consultancy services to local businesses, educational institutions, and entrepreneurs, helping them improve strategy, operations, and leadership practices. He has also been involved in multiple funded research projects across different domains.
In addition, Dr. Bung regularly conducts training programs for professionals, focusing on areas such as entrepreneurial skill building, design thinking, leadership development, and personal well-being. His unique inclusion of yoga in leadership and professional training reflects his firm belief in balancing performance with holistic wellness (Physical, mental, Emotional & spiritual).
Leadership with Empathy
What truly defines Dr. Bung’s leadership is empathy. He is known for being approachable, attentive, and supportive. Students see him as a mentor. The faculty see him as a guide. Colleagues see him as a leader who listens.
One of his most cherished beliefs is summed up in a simple phrase: Healthy, Entrepreneurial, and Happy (HEH) RVIM!. This philosophy guides the culture he wants to build at RVIM. He shares, “Success is meaningful only when people are healthy in mind and body, confident to take initiatives, and happy in their personal and professional lives.”
A Motto That Reflects His Life
“Think Big and Achieve Big” is not just a motto for Dr. Bung, it is a way of life. From choosing academics over comfort to leading an institution through transformation, his journey reflects courage, clarity, and commitment.
He has never chased quick success. Instead, he has invested in long-term growth of students, faculty, and institutions. His work continues to inspire young educators and academic leaders who wish to create lasting impact.
The Road Ahead
As Dr. Purushottam Bung looks ahead, his focus remains unchanged: building a world-class management institution of eminence, nurturing responsible leaders, and ensuring that education keeps pace with a rapidly evolving world.
His story reminds us that leadership in education is not about authority, it is about responsibility. It is about shaping futures, one student and one idea at a time.
And in doing so, Dr. Bung continues to quietly but powerfully leave his mark on the future of management education.
