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Education is a liberating and evolutionary force, which enables the individual to rise from mere materiality to superior planes of intellectual and spiritual consciousness. Education is a dialogue between the past, present and the future, so that the coming generations inherit the accumulated lessons. Since, the advances and research affect the theme of higher education, all countries are strengthening their higher education systems and adopting strategies that will provide new dimensions, help in delivery, change society and prepare young people to shoulder the responsibilities of a difficult but fascinating future. To understand what is involved in managing institutions of higher learning especially academic leadership is crucial, it being the most prestigious function and identified with creating intellectual capital. Leadership is a complex process and academics demand a leadership style that is more flexible, capable, innovative and creative. Academic leaders need to have the right mix of academic and commercial acumen. How academic leadership needs to draw lessons from other areas - learn, integrate and build upon further for meeting the challenges is the core of this book.

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Neeta Baporikar is currently on an academic assignment with Sultanate of Oman, Ministry of Higher Education, CAS-Salalah. A Professor in the area of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, she is PhD-Guide Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Pune. A Qualified Trainer, she is also on Board of Academics/Advisory Councils in Accredited B-Schools.

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