Dr. Smiti Jassar Klaire has stepped down as Group CEO of DJ Group of Institutions and assumed the role of Chairperson of the Advisory Board, marking a strategic transition in leadership. The announcement was made on July 6, 2026, by the institution, which was founded nearly three decades ago by Late Shri Ajit Singh Jassar under the Jassar Dental Medical Education Health Foundation.
From Student to Leader: A 25-Year Journey
Dr. Klaire joined the founding batch of DJ College of Dental Sciences and Research in 1999 as a first-year BDS student. Over the next 25 years, she evolved from student to oral surgeon, educator, professor, academic leader, and ultimately Group CEO. Her journey mirrors the institution's growth from a single dental college into a multi-disciplinary educational ecosystem encompassing dental sciences, Ayurveda, nursing, pharmacy, engineering, and allied healthcare.
In her new role, Dr. Klaire will provide long-term strategic guidance on institutional governance, academic excellence, leadership development, and future growth initiatives. She will also advise on senior leadership appointments and mentor the next generation of leaders, ensuring continuity with the founder's vision.
Founder's Vision and Institutional Growth
Late Shri Ajit Singh Jassar established the foundation in 1997 with the belief that education and healthcare could transform communities. The institution has since become a leading educational hub in the region. According to the press release, the transition reflects continuity in stewardship and commitment to the founder's values.
Dr. Klaire stated, "My association with this institution is inseparable from my personal and professional journey. I joined DJ College of Dental Sciences and Research as a first-year BDS student and have had the privilege of witnessing its evolution over the last twenty-five years. Everything that has been built here is rooted in the vision, courage and perseverance of my father, Ajit Singh Jassar."
Family and Leadership Continuity
Mr. Rhitik Jassar, Chairman of DJ Group of Institutions, commented on the transition: "The story of Dr. Smiti is, in many ways, also the story of this institution. She entered this campus as a student in the founding batch of our dental college and has devoted the greater part of her life to its development." He added, "For me personally, she has always been far more than a colleague or an institutional leader. As my elder sister, mentor and a maternal figure throughout my life, she has been a constant source of strength, wisdom and compassion."
Future Initiatives: DJ Medicity
The institution is advancing several long-term initiatives, including the development of DJ Medicity, an integrated healthcare, education, and research ecosystem designed to strengthen healthcare accessibility and expand medical education capacity across the region. This project aligns with the founder's vision of creating long-term societal value.
Dr. Klaire's transition from day-to-day executive leadership to a strategic advisory role is seen as a move to strengthen governance and institutional resilience. She will continue to support the institution's strategic direction while preserving the mission begun by her father.
