Born on 6 January 1950 in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Dr. P. Shyama Raju began his journey from humble beginnings. After obtaining a degree in Commerce from SGS Arts College, Tirupati, AP, he took the reins and founded Shyama Raju & Company Pvt. Ltd. in Bangalore, with a vision to undertake public projects. Demonstrating his tenacity and perseverance, he approached the Bengaluru City Corporation and was entrusted with two of the most challenging developments under its purview. This marked a turning point in his career, and he rose to the occasion with aplomb.
With the inception of DivyaSree Developers in 1997, a real estate development company, Dr. Raju embarked on a journey that established him as a stalwart in the field. His entrepreneurial spirit was instrumental in propelling the company to great heights, and it continues to flourish under his able guidance.
DRIVEN BY A VISION
REVA (Rukmini Educational Vision Academy) University, a unit of DivyaSree Group is the result of Dr. Raju’s unwavering determination to fulfil his late wife, Mrs. Rukmini Shyama Raju’s cherished dream of establishing world class educational institutions. With years of relentless toil, resilience and commitment, REVA University has become a paragon of excellence and quality. Under the aegis of the REVA Group of Educational Institutions, which was initiated by the Rukmini Educational Charitable Trust, the university is firm in its resolve to provide world-class education to the Indian youth. Under Dr. Raju’s stewardship, the university has evolved from 150 students to over 15,000 students enrolled annually. “The transformation of REVA from a recognised college to a distinguished university has been a challenging yet rewarding journey. It was a moment of immense pride and admiration when the Government of Karnataka extended an invitation to bestow the University status upon REVA,” expresses Dr. Raju.
EMPHASISES PERSONAL ATTENTION
REVA University diligently fosters a culture of discipline, where regular attendance in classes and active engagement in the academic pursuits within the campus are consistently encouraged. The edupreneur ensures that the programs offered by University are meticulously designed and developed by eminent professors and industry experts. With a keen understanding of their social relevance and the demands of the job market, these programs are crafted to equip students with the necessary skills for success. He says, “REVA University is not just an institution, but a melting pot of creativity, innovation, and excellence, where students are encouraged to dream big and unleash their potential to make a positive impact on society.”
A TECH-SAVVY LEADER
Dr. Raju is a firm believer in the power of technology and is driven by the principle of “Learning Unlimited.” He emphasises that technology is not just an enabler but a necessary medium in today’s rapidly changing world. With a research-driven mindset, he aims to transform the university into a globally acknowledged hub of research and innovation.
He also ensures that the institution’s ecosystem is not only technology centred, but also designed to foster students’ overall development. Its exclusive executive programme RACE (REVA Academy for Corporate Excellence) has been ranked 2nd in India for MBA in Business Analytics, and initiatives like REVA NEST, the Start-Up Incubator, are aimed at making students corporate-ready.
PROMOTES LIFELONG LEARNING
Dr. Raju believes that the true essence of education lies in fostering innovative ideas that hold value for society and equip the youth to confront challenges head-on. His priority is to prepare the youth with value-based and skill-centric education to deliver to the world’s dynamic demands. Through SDGs and other University Social Responsibility activities, he ensures students evolve as emerging global citizens.
GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY
As a distinguished humanitarian and philanthropist, Dr. Raju has spearheaded numerous initiatives for the betterment of society. He has ran various rural projects in Karnataka through REVA, and played an active role in ‘Jagruti’, a voting awareness campaign executed by REVA students and faculty members. He has also championed environmental sustainability at REVA by fostering a culture of conscientiousness, resulting in the mass movement and participation of students in Vanamahotsava.
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Dr Raju has been the recipient of the Education Leaders’ Award for 2023, conferred by the Commonwealth Education Conference. He is also the proud recipient of the ‘Global Sustainability Awards 2022 for his professional commitment towards Global Sustainability by the GCPIT (Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade). Apart from this, he has been recognised as the ‘Edupreneur of the year’ by R-World Institutional Ranking 2022 and as ‘Edupreneur of the Year’ by ET Now.
