Patel served as the Director of the Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar for two consecutive terms (2008-2019).

He also obtained Post master's degree Graduate Diploma in International Relations from the University of Amsterdam and Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Development from the Institute of Social Studies, the Hague, The Netherlands.

He received Post Graduate Summer School Certificate in International Relations, Foreign Policy, and Government from the University of Oslo, Norway.

He has experience in designing and implementing international and national development and research programs and projects and networking and coordination with governmental agencies, UN bodies, and academic/research institutions in various parts of the world.

[8] He was also appointed as a member of the search panel for the selection of Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)[9] and as a member of the six-member panel headed by cabinet secretary PK Sinha to recommend the Chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Since 2011, GNLU has started receiving US$2 million grants from the UGC under its five-year plan for general and overall development.

He has been instrumental in starting many new courses and programs and has transformed the academic system of GNLU by adopting the Research-Based Teaching University curriculum.

[17] The Gujarat High Court finally disposed off the appeal by ordering in independent enquiry as agreed between the parties.

[18] In early 2017, a financial officer filed a petition against GNLU alleging that his oral termination was illegal.

[19] In April 2017, Justice Sonia Gokani of the Gujarat High Court ordered that the employee be allowed to continue in service.