Dr. Hemlata Bagla, a distinguished scholar and trailblazing educator, currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor of HSNC University, Mumbai. She also holds the esteemed position of Director at the Niranjan Hiranandani School of Real Estate (NHSRE) and Head, Radio & Nuclear Chemistry Department at K.C. College, HSNC University, Mumbai and Radiological Safety Officer. Her journey from Principal of K.C. College to Senior Dean and subsequently to Vice-Chancellor has been marked by visionary leadership and transformative initiatives.

She envisioned the transformation of K.C. College into a State Public University, and with her vision, dedication, and relentless efforts, she aligned two more colleges to establish a Cluster University. Having been associated with the HSNC Board for over 35 years, she nurtured this concept, overcame numerous challenges, and laid a strong foundation for the University’s growth. Under her leadership, eight distinguished Schools of HSNC University were established inspanning diverse fields such as management & real estate, applied sciences, Law, performing arts, yoga & wellness, and interdisciplinary studies.

With a steadfast commitment to advancing excellence in higher education, Dr. Bagla strategically designs and implements innovative academic and professional programs, drawing on her extensive administrative expertise.

An internationally recognized authority in Nuclear and Radiochemistry, Dr. Bagla has mentored Master’s and PhD students for over 25 years. Her research spans chemical, radiochemical, and biomedical domains. Notably, she completed her Master’s in Organic Chemistry at the age of 20 and earned her Doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry, specializing in Radiochemistry, by the age of 25.

A prolific academician, Dr. Bagla has published over 200 research papers in national and international journals, including ten indexed in NASA’s Astrophysical Database.

She is an esteemed speaker at national and international conferences, a contributor of career-related articles to leading Mumbai newspapers, and a mentor to numerous postgraduate and doctoral students.

Her contributions extend to scientific associations, where she made history as the first woman President of the Indian Chemical Society (Mumbai Branch). On the global stage, she represents India as the sole scientist in the 15-member International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Coordinated Research Project on Medical Devices.

Recognizing her remarkable contributions, Dr. Bagla was honored in the prestigious “75 Women in Chemistry” list a joint recognition by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, the Government of India, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. This distinction highlights her profound impact on the scientific community and her exceptional leadership in academia.

Prof. Hemlata K. Bagla is the only woman Vice-Chancellor among the select few Vice-Chancellors chosen as members of the Task Force for preparing the Vision Document for Viksit Maharashtra @ 2047, constituted by the Higher and Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra. She has also been appointed as the Chairperson of an 11-member expert Committee constituted by the Government of Maharashtra to draft a State-Level Student Safety and Mental Health Code for all universities across the state.

Further acknowledging her contributions, the Ministry of Defense, Government of India, has conferred upon her the Honorary rank of Colonel.