Leadership Team

Maneek Kumar is a Professor of Civil Engineering and Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology (SOET). He has earned his UG, PG and Ph. D degrees in Civil Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. His Ph.D. research was on the Reliability-based design of Structural Elements. His major research interests include reliability-based design, retrofitting and rehabilitation, and Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC). He works on probabilistic and reliability models, neuro-computing and optimisation techniques in concrete and reinforced concrete design.

With teaching and research experience of more than 30 years now, he has been one of the most sought-after teachers at Thapar Institute. He has taught courses in all engineering disciplines, including mechanics and strength of materials. He was among the youngest to become a professor at 34.

He has published over 80 research papers in national and international peer-reviewed journals and conferences and has guided 65 Masters and 15 Ph.D. Thesis. He has also completed several Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy projects with an outlay of more than 2.5 Crores. He is a member of many professional societies and associations like ICI, ISTE, ASCE (India), MSI, PMA etc.

On the administration front, Prof. Maneek has been a Director of STEAM & Quality at DIT University for nearly one and a half years. During his nearly 27 years at Thapar Institute, Patiala, Maneek led the Faculty of Civil Engineering for six years and served as the Dean of Student Affairs from 2014 to 2020. In this position, he brought in several reforms to enhance student experience and satisfaction, improve student living, and increase student participation in co-curricular and sports activities. He has also served as the Professor-in-charge of Alumni Relations and has established strong networks with one of the oldest alumni bases in the country. He also has led his institute towards NAAC, NBA and ABET accreditations and NIRF rankings. At the national level, he serves on various committees of NAAC, NBA and AICTE in the country.

Maneek is a sports freak; his day usually begins with badminton. In his spare time, he enjoys writing poetry, reading books and listening to music, especially ghazals by Jagjit Singh.