The book is the first of its kind to systematically examine the role and functions of the President of India, while acting as the Visitor to the higher education institutions. It critically analyses the legal, constitutional, and institutional frameworks while evaluating the contribution of the President of India in his capacity as the Visitor.The book seeks to bring issues relating to institutional governance within the larger framework of transparency and accountability of higher education institutions. While the book examines the specific contributions and policy level initiatives taken by the President of India while acting as the Visitor of the higher education institutions, it underscores the general significance of the Presidential engagement for promoting excellence in institutions. The book examines this role by bringing comparative and international perspectives on the growth and evolution of the role of the Visitor in higher education institutions and how this role has shaped the governance. The objective of the book is to begin a discourse on the governance of higher education institutions. It recognizes the importance of raising academic standards while promoting international benchmarks in quality, access, excellence and institutional governance. It particularly provides a glimpse of the contribution of Mr. Pranab Kukherjee, the Honourable President of India for his farsighted leadership and initiative in recognizing that the future of India is significantly dependent upon our ability to empower the higher education institutions, which will help India establish a knowledge based society. The book will be a valuable resource for all those who are interested in the governance of higher education institutions, including those who are keen to promote institutional excellence.