The leadership at CMR University is united by a shared commitment to delivering a purpose-driven and transformative educational experience. Guided by a vision to inspire curiosity, foster innovation, and cultivate lifelong learning, we empower students to become creative thinkers and responsible leaders capable of driving positive global change. At the core of our leadership philosophy is the belief in empowering both students and faculty by fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive environment. We encourage exploration, experimentation, and growth, creating a culture where learning thrives without fear of failure. Through active engagement with students, academic peers, and industry partners, we bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that the knowledge imparted is relevant, future-focused, and deeply impactful.
Dr. K.C. Ramamurthy is a distinguished public servant, visionary educationist, and institution builder who currently serves as the Chairman of CMR Group of Institutions and CMR University. With over three decades of service in civil administration and education, his leadership is rooted in values of integrity, excellence, and public good.
A postgraduate in Economics and Political Science, Dr. Ramamurthy began his career as a lecturer before joining the Karnataka Administrative Service and subsequently, the Indian Police Service (IPS). Over a decorated 32-year career in the IPS, he held key leadership positions including Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety, Additional Commissioner of Police, and Inspector General of Police. His tenure was marked by reforms in policing, strategic crisis management, and public trust-building. He remains one of the few officers to have served in all major wings of Bengaluru’s police administration, law and order, crime, traffic, security, and armed reserve. He was conferred the President’s Meritorious Medal for his outstanding service to the nation.
Dr. Ramamurthy’s administrative acumen extended well beyond policing. As Commissioner of Kannada and Culture, he introduced landmark cultural initiatives and led state delegations to international conferences. As Registrar of Bangalore University, he played a pivotal role in its five-star accreditation from NAAC and successfully hosted the 90th Indian Science Congress, inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India and addressed by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He later led KEONICS as Managing Director, streamlining governance and financial discipline. In the field of youth development and sports, he established over 3,000 youth clubs across Karnataka, developed sports infrastructure in rural areas, and led Indian delegations to major international sporting events, including the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2016, Dr. Ramamurthy served on several key parliamentary committees, including Education, Urban Development, Industry, and Human Resource Development. He was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Papers Laid on the Table and made notable interventions on education reforms, online fraud, rural sports, and policy issues concerning youth and cultural development. During his term, he recorded 98% attendance and actively participated in debates, raising issues of national and state importance.
Inspired by the philanthropic vision of his father, the late Shri Chikka Muniyappa Reddy (CMR), Dr. Ramamurthy co-founded the CMR Jnanadhara Trust alongside Dr. Sabitha Ramamurthy, with the aim of providing inclusive, values-based education. Today, the Trust has grown into the CMR Group of Institutions, encompassing over twenty institutions, 1,500+ faculty, and more than 20,000 students from India and 58 countries, offering programmes from Montessori to doctoral levels across diverse disciplines.
As Chairman of CMR University, Dr. Ramamurthy has been instrumental in shaping the University’s vision as a forward-looking, interdisciplinary institution focused on creative thinking, industry relevance, and social responsibility. Under his leadership, the University has seen the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the international-standard Lakeside Campus at Bagalur, as well as cricket and football stadiums to foster a vibrant sports culture. His commitment to the arts has led to the creation of five modern auditoriums across Bengaluru.
He continues to champion educational excellence, sustainability, and nation-building. His contributions have been recognised with several honours, including the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award, Kempegowda Award, and Citizen Extraordinaire by Rotary Club (2024). In recognition of his lifelong service and impact, he was conferred an honorary doctorate in 2022.
Dr. Ramamurthy is widely respected for his erudition, humility, and leadership. As an ardent listener and effective communicator, he brings people together with empathy and conviction. Alongside Dr. Sabitha Ramamurthy, Chancellor of CMR University, he continues to guide the CMR Group’s mission of shaping socially conscious leaders equipped to drive positive global change.
Smt. Shreya Reddy serves as the Executive Director of the CMR Group of Institutions, where her leadership continues to shape the Group’s strategic vision and institutional identity. Since 2011, she has played a pivotal role in expanding the reach and relevance of CMR University and its associated institutions through a distinct focus on innovation, communication, and brand-building.
With a deep commitment to purpose-driven education, Smt. Shreya has been instrumental in positioning CMR University as a forward-thinking academic institution. In 2022, she founded the Creative Content and Communications Wing, an in-house team of specialists focused on storytelling, digital engagement, and brand strategy. This initiative has significantly strengthened the university’s public presence and helped earn recognitions such as the Emerging University of the Year 2022 by ASSOCHAM and Best Private University in South India for Research and Placement by CEGR.
Smt. Shreya’s vision is guided by a commitment to showcasing academic and institutional excellence through content-led, insight-driven communication strategies. Her work has established a unified brand voice for CMR University and its institutions, positioning them as destinations of choice for students across India and beyond.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University, and a Postgraduate Degree in Management from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. She has also pursued executive education in Family Enterprise Governance at the Kellogg School of Management and completed graduate-level coursework in Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University.
With over a decade of cross-sector experience across industries such as health tech, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, fitness, and education management, both in India and the United States, Smt.Shreya brings a multifaceted perspective to institutional leadership. Her broad exposure across domains including sales, marketing, HR, finance, and IT has contributed to her operational versatility and strategic clarity.
Earlier in her career, she played a key role in enhancing administrative processes and led the English Language Enhancement Preparatory Program (ELEPP), an initiative that welcomed international students to CMRU and contributed to its growing global reputation.
Her empathetic leadership style, influenced by her personal experiences as a mother, is rooted in the belief that individual strengths, when recognised and nurtured, enable teams to thrive. She promotes a culture of collaboration, creativity, and mutual respect, where individuals feel empowered to contribute meaningfully to shared goals.
Looking ahead, Smt. Shreya Reddy remains committed to amplifying the impact of CMR University through creative communication, institutional storytelling, and thought leadership. She envisions broadening the role of the Creative Content and Communications Wing and hopes to contribute a lasting legacy in the evolving field of education and brand strategy.
