The Union Ministry of Education has announced the appointment of new directors to six prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) located across the nation. The appointments signify a strategic move towards enhancing academic leadership and fostering innovation within the IIT ecosystem. The newly appointed directors are set to assume their roles at IIT-Kanpur, Dhanbad, Jodhpur, Guwahati, Goa, and IIT-BHU, bringing with them a wealth of expertise and vision to steer these institutions towards greater heights of excellence.
Here are the details of the newly appointed directors
- Manindra Agrawal - IIT-Kanpur: Agrawal, formerly a professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT-Kanpur since 1996, brings extensive experience in the fields of algorithms, complexity theory, computational number theory, algebra, and cryptography. Noteworthy accolades include the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2013 and a Humboldt fellowship at the University of Ulm in Germany from 1995 to 1996.
- Sukumar Mishra - IIT-Dhanbad: Mishra, previously a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT-Delhi, has been appointed as the director of IIT-Dhanbad. He currently holds the position of Dean of Research and External Engagement at IIT-Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus, with prior experience as the associate dean of Research and Development at IIT-Delhi from 2020 to 2023.
- Avinash Agarwal - IIT-Jodhpur: Agarwal, joining IIT-Jodhpur, brings his expertise as a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT-Kanpur. His vast knowledge and experience in mechanical engineering will contribute significantly to the development of IIT-Jodhpur as one of the new generation IITs.
- Dr. Devendra Jalihal - IIT-Guwahati: Jalihal, formerly a professor at IIT-Madras in the Department of Electrical Engineering, assumes the role of director at IIT-Guwahati. With research interests spanning signal processing and wireless communication, Jalihal's leadership promises to further enhance the academic and research endeavors at IIT-Guwahati.
- Dhirendra S. Katti - IIT-Goa: Katti, previously a professor at the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at IIT-Kanpur, has been appointed as the director of IIT-Goa. With a diverse academic background and experience gained from prestigious institutions such as Drexel University and the University of Virginia, Katti is poised to lead IIT-Goa towards academic excellence and innovation.
- Amit Patra - IIT-BHU: Patra, formerly the Deputy Director at IIT Kharagpur, now takes on the role of director at IIT BHU. With a rich academic background and extensive experience at IIT Kharagpur, Patra's leadership is expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of IIT BHU.
These appointments mark a significant milestone in the academic landscape of India, as these distinguished individuals prepare to lead their respective IITs towards the pursuit of academic excellence, innovation, and societal impact.
