Management

Dr. H. R. Dayananda Swamy is the Chancellor of S-VYASA Deemed to be University, Bengaluru.

Early Life & Institutional Journey

Born on 2 June 1967 in Honnalagere village, Maddur Taluk, Mandya District, Karnataka, he graduated in Commerce from the University of Mysore before joining the Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (VYASA), deeply influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and closely associated with its Founder, Padmashri Dr. H. R. Nagendra.

He is one of the founding members of the VYASA and S-VYASA movement, having contributed to the institution’s growth from its inception over three decades ago.

Academic Qualifications

He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (Finance) from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, and pursued an interdisciplinary path into Yoga, earning a Master of Science in Yoga and a Ph.D. from S-VYASA Deemed to be University.

Institutional Leadership

This combination of finance and Yoga scholarship has shaped a career centred on institution-building — spanning budgeting, infrastructure development, policy formulation, and the execution of long-term and short-term academic, administrative and developmental projects at S-VYASA.

Prior to his current role, he served as Director of Finance & Administration at S-VYASA.

Leadership & Governance Roles

He holds several concurrent leadership and governance positions across the VYASA ecosystem, including Vice President of VYASA, Delhi Branch; Secretary of the Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bengaluru; Secretary of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana Society; Secretary of the World Yoga Therapy Association; Treasurer of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Prakashana, Bengaluru; Secretary of the Janaseva Charitable Trust, Bengaluru; and Treasurer of the Lalitha Rama Lakshmi Trust, Bengaluru.

His engagement extends internationally as Director of VYASA Canada, Vancouver, and Trustee of VYASA USA, Houston.

Community Service & Interests

Beyond his institutional responsibilities, Dr. Dayananda Swamy is active in philanthropic and community service, supporting orphanages and old-age homes, temple renovation and preservation efforts in his native village, and rural education initiatives through crowdfunded community projects.

He is also engaged in organic farming, promoting sustainable, chemical-free agricultural practices in Mandya district. His extensive international travel across North America, Europe, and West and South Asia, alongside his interests in classical and light music and reading, reflect a broad engagement with diverse cultures and ideas.

Present Role

Guided by the principles of hard work, integrity, commitment and growth, Dr. H. R. Dayananda Swamy continues to provide institutional leadership to S-VYASA as Chancellor, while sustaining his lifelong commitment to Yoga, education and community service.

Dr. N. K. Manjunath Sharma is the Vice Chancellor of S-VYASA Deemed to be University. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences from Mangalore University and a Ph.D. in Yoga and Geriatric Medicine from S-VYASA University. In recognition of his significant contributions to Yoga research, he has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree by S-VYASA University.

Academic & Research Experience

With over 33 years of academic, research and administrative experience, Dr. Manjunath has published more than 100 research papers in international journals indexed in major bibliographic databases. His primary research interests include the psychophysiology of Yoga, neural correlates of meditation, aging and rehabilitation.

He has guided numerous Ph.D., M.D. and M.Sc. students and serves as the Editor of the International Journal of Yoga (IJOY) and as a reviewer for several international journals.

International Academic Engagements

Dr. N. K. Manjunath Sharma is a sought-after speaker and has delivered lectures on evidence-based Yoga therapy and conducted workshops on traditional and integrative medicine at leading institutions worldwide, including Harvard Medical School (USA), Monash University (Australia), the Royal College of Medicine (London), Shanghai University of Sports (China), and Pharma University (Italy).

Committees & Advisory Roles

He is actively involved in various national and international committees, such as the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Department of Science and Technology, the Research Advisory Committee for the Integrative Medicine Initiative of NITI Aayog, and the Core Committee for Yoga Accreditation in Higher Education under NAAC, Government of India.

He is also a member of the Steering Committee for Yoga Programs and Accreditation at Yunnan Minzu University in China and an expert committee member for the development of Yoga training benchmarks at the World Health Organization (WHO), Switzerland.

Institutional Contributions

In addition to his academic and research endeavours, Dr. Manjunath is associated with the Asia Pacific Yoga Therapy Association, Singapore. He is the Founding Director of Vivekananda Health Global, a global chain of integrative medicine clinics and hospitals.

Awards & Recognition

His excellence and contributions to Yoga and interdisciplinary development have been recognised with prestigious awards such as the Bharat Gaurav Award at the House of Commons, British Parliament, London; the IASTAM Yoga Forum Munich Patanjali Award; and the Indigenous Knowledge and Peace Education Award by The World Peace Congress at India International Centre, New Delhi.

He also received the Himalayan Yoga Award for World Peace by the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Leh, Ladakh, on the occasion of International Yoga Day 2025.

Prof. S. Siva Sankara Sai is the Pro Vice Chancellor of S-VYASA Deemed to be University, Bengaluru, having previously served as its Registrar. He brings over three decades of experience in higher education, teaching, research and academic administration.

Academic Career

Prof. Sai had a distinguished academic career at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), where he served in senior positions including Professor, Head of the Department of Physics, Dean of Sciences, Director of the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, Convener of the Advanced Research Center and Member of the Board of Management.

Institutional Leadership

During his tenure at S-VYASA, he has played an important role in strengthening the University’s academic and administrative systems, institutional development, quality processes, regulatory compliance and academic programmes.

As Registrar and subsequently as Pro Vice Chancellor, he has been involved in academic governance, curriculum and programme development, institutional collaborations, research development, student and faculty initiatives, and the planning and execution of major university programmes and events. His experience in senior university administration also includes responsibility for the functioning and coordination of the University’s two campuses.

Quality & Regulatory Initiatives

During his tenure in senior leadership at S-VYASA, he has contributed to institutional, regulatory and quality-assurance initiatives, including the NAAC Cycle III accreditation, under which S-VYASA attained an A+ grade in 2023, AICTE approval of programmes at the Satvva Global City Campus, and UGC-related processes for the Trivandrum Campus.

Yoga Outreach

He has spearheaded and supported initiatives to take Yoga to wider communities and professional settings, including Yoga and wellness programmes for organisations such as Toyota, C-DAC, ONGC and POWERGRID, as well as other corporate and institutional engagements.

He has also played an active role in organising major academic and Yoga events, including INCOFYRA and International Day of Yoga programmes, helping create wider platforms for the dissemination of Yoga, research and its applications. His contributions extend to guest lectures, training programmes and interdisciplinary academic initiatives.

Research Contributions

Prof. Sai is an active researcher in Fiber Optics, Nano Photonics, Optical Networking, Optical Image Processing and Nuclear Medical Imaging, with 40 journal publications, 30 conference presentations and contributions to three books or chapters.

He has supervised doctoral, M.Phil. and postgraduate research, including five Ph.D. scholars, two M.Phil. theses, 20 M.Sc. projects and 15 M.Tech. projects. He has also led and contributed to Government-funded interdisciplinary research projects in biomedical imaging, nanotechnology and optical sciences.

His research work has resulted in two patent applications, including innovations in small-area gamma imaging and multimodal cancer detection.

SAIGC Research

Among his significant research contributions is the design and development of a portable Small Area Imaging Gamma Camera (SAIGC), supported by the Department of Science and Technology. The system was indigenously developed and subsequently patented following clinical trials, with the aim of providing a portable and more economical solution for nuclear imaging applications.

He has also led and contributed to research in multimodal optical microscopy, medical image processing, optical power-limiting materials, nanostructured materials and other emerging interdisciplinary areas, supported by agencies including DST, DAE-BRNS, DRDO and UGC.

Yoga Practice & Indian Knowledge Systems

A committed practitioner of Yoga, Prof. S. Siva Sankara Sai has completed the Yoga Instructor Course (YIC) from S-VYASA, Yoga Wellness Instructor (YCB Level 2), and Yoga Teacher and Evaluator (YCB Level 3) certifications under the Yoga Certification Board, Ministry of AYUSH. He is also completing a Diploma in Scientific Pranayama course.

He maintains a regular daily Yoga practice and actively participates in taking Yoga classes and related programmes, with a strong interest in the study and promotion of Yoga, the Vedas and Indian Knowledge Systems. He has learnt Vedic Mantras from traditional gurus and delivers speeches on Indian traditions, Vedas and Upanishadic texts.

Present Role

In his present role as Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sai continues to contribute to the University’s academic growth and institutional development across its Prashanti Kutiram and Satvva Global City Campus, while supporting the integration of Yoga, scientific inquiry and Indian Knowledge Systems in higher education.

Prof. Dr. Sony Kumari is the Registrar of S-VYASA Deemed to be University, Bengaluru. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Bhagalpur University, a Master’s degree in Yoga Psychology from Bihar Yoga Bharati, and a Ph.D. in Yogic Sciences from S-VYASA University.

Academic & Administrative Experience

With over 23 years of academic, research and administrative experience, she has built her career entirely within S-VYASA, progressing from Joint-Coordinator in the Department of Yoga and Management to Assistant Registrar, Lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor, before taking on senior administrative charges as Head of the Department of Yoga and Management (MBA), Controller of Examinations, Dean of Academics (In-charge), and now Registrar.

During her tenure in academic administration, Dr. Kumari has played a central role in the University’s examination systems and academic governance, having served two terms as Controller of Examinations with overall responsibility for the conduct of university examinations, and as Dean of Academics overseeing academic administration. Her administrative contributions extend to curriculum development and the University’s institutional preparation for NAAC accreditation cycles.

Quality Assurance & Advisory Roles

She has contributed to national academic quality-assurance processes as a NAAC Peer Team Member, participating in institutional assessment visits as part of NAAC’s external accreditation framework, and has been engaged in an advisory capacity on matters relating to Yoga and Naturopathy at the national level.

Yoga Outreach

Dr. Kumari has also worked to extend Yoga into professional and community settings, having coordinated SMET (Self-Management of Excessive Tension) programmes for public-sector organisations including ONGC, BHEL and BEL, and having designed and delivered a Yoga Foundation Course in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with structured Yoga and personality-development programmes for children.

Research & Academic Contributions

Her research centres on the psychology of Yoga in organisational and educational settings — specifically the effects of Yoga-based interventions on emotional intelligence, leadership, job stress, counterproductive work behaviour, personality and workplace well-being, as well as Yoga’s role in academic performance, adolescent well-being and safe digital-screen use.

She has delivered over 30 invited talks as a resource person and has presented at numerous national and international academic conferences, including a recent international academic engagement in Vietnam. She also serves as a peer reviewer for academic journals in the fields of Yoga, management and behavioural sciences.

Certifications & Recognition

A committed Yoga practitioner, Dr. Kumari has completed a four-month Yoga Certificate Course from the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, and a Pranic Healing certification. In 2023, she was nominated by the University and interviewed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development for the President’s Award for Teachers.

Present Role

In her present role as Registrar, Dr. Kumari continues to guide the University’s academic administration, examination systems and institutional quality processes, while sustaining her research and mentorship contributions to the field of Yoga.