New Delhi – India’s education landscape suffered a profound loss today with the sudden passing of Dr. Hukam Chand Bansal, Chancellor and Founder of two universities – the RIMT University, Mandi-Gobindgarh and the World University of Design, Sonipat. Dr. Bansal, a pioneering figure in both industry and education, passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 75.
Dr. Bansal’s contributions to the field of education over the past 25 years have been monumental. After a successful career in the steel industry, he turned his vision toward empowering future generations through education. His journey began in 1998 with the establishment of Shri Om Parkash Bansal Educational and Social Welfare Trust and the founding of the first school in Mandi Gobindgarh, a landmark institution that remains highly coveted to this day. Over the next two decades, Dr. Bansal built a vast network of educational institutions under the RIMT Group, catering to disciplines ranging from engineering and architecture to management, pharmacy, and the arts.
In 2016, Dr. Bansal established RIMT University, but it was the founding of the World University of Design (WUD) in 2018 that truly cemented his legacy as a visionary in the education sector. As Chancellor, Dr. Bansal led WUD to national prominence, creating India’s first and only university dedicated exclusively to design. His commitment to fostering innovation in education, particularly in the design and creative fields, positioned WUD as a trailblazer, setting new standards in design education and shaping the future of India’s creative industries. Through WUD, Dr. Bansal transformed not just individual careers, but the entire landscape of modern Indian education.
“Dr. Bansal was a visionary who transformed the way education is delivered in this country,” said Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor WUD. “His passion for uplifting communities through knowledge, coupled with his unique ability to lead with humility and purpose, will be remembered for generations to come.”
In addition to his contributions to education, Dr. Bansal was deeply involved in philanthropy and social welfare, serving as President of the Gurukul Charitable Society and supporting numerous causes aimed at improving the lives of underprivileged communities. His leadership extended beyond education into the business world, where he held key positions on the boards of several companies in the steel, infrastructure, and hospitality sectors.
“Dr. Bansal’s passing is an immeasurable loss, not only to the educational community but to the nation as a whole. He believed that education was the cornerstone of social progress, and he dedicated his life to making that vision a reality,” the statement added.
Dr. Bansal’s legacy will continue to thrive through the institutions he built, the countless lives he touched, and the generations of students he inspired. His enduring belief in the transformative power of education will remain a guiding light for educators and students across the country.
He is survived by his family, to whom the entire educational community extends its heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.
