Nagpur: Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (DMIHER), Deemed to be University, has received approval from University Grants Commission (UGC) to change its name to Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research.The new identity marks the next phase of the institution’s development and follows its collaboration with Adani Foundation to establish a global Centre of Excellence (CoE) in affordable healthcare education and delivery.The announcement was made at a news conference on Saturday. “This is a defining moment for our institution. As we transition to Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research, we are building on a strong foundation while creating greater opportunities for excellence, innovation and global engagement,” said vice-chancellor Dr Lalitbhushan Waghmare.Waghmare said the institution’s commitment to quality education and compassionate healthcare, particularly for rural and underserved communities, would remain unchanged. “We look forward to strengthening research, embracing new technologies and creating greater opportunities for our students, faculty, researchers, patients and communities,” he added.Chief services officer Ravindra Mehere highlighted the institution’s focus on academic excellence, healthcare delivery, research and community engagement.The institution began its journey in 1990 with Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) at Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, founded by former MP Datta Meghe. From a medical college, it expanded into a multidisciplinary university offering programmes in medicine, dentistry, nursing, ayurveda, physiotherapy, pharmacy, engineering and management.UGC granted it Deemed-to-be-University status on May 24, 2005. Over the years, the institution has developed an academic and healthcare ecosystem across Wardha and Nagpur, covering education, research, clinical care and community health.Datta Meghe, who passed away on March 22 this year at the age of 89, had served four terms as a Member of Parliament and played a significant role in expanding education and healthcare infrastructure in Vidarbha.The transition follows the collaboration announced in June 2025 between DMIHER and Adani Foundation, the social welfare and development arm of Adani Group.The university said its academic programmes, faculty, campuses and administration would continue without interruption. The new name, it said, represents the institution’s next phase while retaining the academic, clinical and community foundations built over more than three decades.
