Born on 21st June, 1946, in an illustrious family of Village Murud, Taluka Dapoli, District Ratnagiri of Maharashtra State, Dr. (Prof.) Arjun Mahadeo Murudkar completed his primary education at Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India) Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve Vidya Mandir at Murud. Subsequently, he passed his S.S.C examination from the well-known Alfred Gadney High School, Dapoli under the legendary educationists and social reformers, the late Shri. Samant Guruji and late Shri. Shinde Guruji in their Gurukul known as Navbharat Chhatralay, Dapoli.
As a youth he excelled in studies, sports and extra-curricular activities. He led the School as Captain of the Kabbadi Team (a favourite Indian Sport) and also won the Best Body Building Cup, besides winning prizes in athletic events. He had the privilege of being nominated as general secretary of the gatherings organized at school.
Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar secured his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Jivaji University, Gwalior; Master of Arts (M.A.) in English Literature from Karnatak University, Dharwad; Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Delhi University and Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Law from University of Mumbai.
His thesis “Problems of Equality, Affirmative Action and Social Change:
A Judicial Response” is on the Constitution of India and was evaluated by eminent personages in jurisprudence, namely, Hon'ble P. N. Bhagwati, former Chief Justice and Hon'ble V. R. Krishna Iyer, former Justice of the Supreme Court of India under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Meena Rao, Head, Department of Law, University of Mumbai.
Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar served the Indian Air Force as a regular combatant airman for more than 15 years (1966 – 1981). He has taken active part in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 in the Eastern and Western Sectors and has been awarded with Paschim Star and Sangram Medals for his role in the war. The Indian Air Force also awarded him commendation for his professional competence and outstanding leadership qualities.
After satisfactory completion of his regular term of service engagement in the Air Force, Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar practiced as Advocate (1981-1990) in Mumbai High Court and other subordinate judicial establishments. Subsequently, the Government of Maharashtra appointed him as a Special Metropolitan Magistrate for Greater Mumbai (1993-1997).
Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar has had also the privilege of teaching as visiting Professor of Law in Government Law College, Mumbai, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai and Department of Law, University of Mumbai.
Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar served the University of Mumbai for 14 Years (1990-2004). He was privileged to hold some of the coveted positions of the University including Deputy Registrar, Controller of Examinations, Director, Central Computing Facilities and Registrar.
The University of Mumbai is one of the three earliest established Universities in India founded on 18th July, 1857. It is recognized and respected for its academic excellence the world over. It has 55 departments, 675 affiliated colleges, 88 recognised institutions of higher learning with a student’s population over five lakhs and having jurisdiction over Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra State. Known for his academic and administrative acumen and strict discipline, Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar strived hard to streamline the administration of the University. He also developed harmonious relations with officers and employees, members of the authorities, Directors and Heads of Departments of the University, Principals of the affiliated colleges and the Directors of the recognized institutions and motivating them to work and associate closely in running the University.
Apart from carrying out his usual duties as Registrar, Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar was responsible for maintaining close liaison with the office of the Governor of the State who is also the Chancellor of Universities in the whole of the State, various Ministeries of the Government of Maharashtra and Government of India.
He was also entrusted to maintain close liaison with the University Grants Commission (UGC) of the Indian Union and International Universities, plus Association of Indian Universities(AIU), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Council of Teachers’ Education (NCTE), Medical Council of India (MCI), Pharmacy Council of India(PCI), Bar Council of India (BCI), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), along with several other bodies and authorities of the Union and State governments for external funding, collaboration and for the streamlined conduct of University affairs in India.
After completion of his tenure as Registrar of the University, Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar was invited to join and worked as Principal of Patuck –Gala College of Commerce and Management, Mumbai and Clara’s College of Commerce, Mumbai. He was closely associated in bringing these institutions to a very high standard of academic and administrative excellence.
Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Shri Jagdishprasad Jhabarmal Tibrewala (JJT) University, in Rajasthan. The University has been established by the Government of Rajasthan as a State University, but it is a self-financed one and managed by a Public Charitable Trust. It can establish its own colleges and departments and run the courses in accordance with the provisions of University Act and award degrees under section 22 of the UGC Act. Located some 20 kms away from the Jhunjhunu district on Jhunjhunu Churu road of Rajasthan in a place abound with desert, extreme hostile climate and sandy winds, this University is an unique experience which has been successfully set up and launched with various degree courses including Management, Engineering and Ph.D.
Dr.(Prof.) Murudkar was one of the prominent members of the Association of Self-Finance Universities of Rajasthan.
Dr. (Prof.) Murudkar is also a Senior Educational Advisor to some of the well-known educational institutions in Mumbai. He has widely traveled throughout India including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Sikkim and also visited several foreign countries including a special trip to United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) at the invitation of BEAMS International for exploring the possibility of opening academic collaboration and introduction of University of Mumbai courses in Dubai.
He has thus successful career in diverse fields with national and international exposure.
