IIT Hyderabad director B S Murty to lead Indian Institute of Metals

Professor B S Murty, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad), has been elected as the next President of the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM). He will officially assume office on Aug 1.

The announcement was made during IIM’s 79th Annual General Meeting held in Kolkata, where outgoing president Sajjan Jindal, chairman and managing director of JSW Group, handed over the leadership.

Established in 1946 with just 42 members, the Indian Institute of Metals has grown into a leading professional organization with more than 10,000 members from academia, research, and industry in the fields of metallurgical and materials engineering.

With over 40 years of experience in education, research, and innovation, Professor Murty is widely recognized as one of India’s most accomplished metallurgists.

His work covers a broad spectrum, including non-equilibrium materials processing, high-entropy alloys, and the development of advanced materials.

At the AGM, Professor Murty shared his priorities for the institute’s future. “Carrying forward IIM’s rich legacy while fostering innovation and inclusivity will be my key priorities,” he said.

He also highlighted the need to promote collaboration, support young professionals, and build stronger connections between academia, industry, and research institutions in India and globally.

Prof Murty’s academic path began with a diploma in metallurgy in 1983, followed by a BE from VRCE Nagpur in 1986.

He went on to earn his ME and PhD from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore in 1988 and 1992, respectively.

He served at IIT Kharagpur for 12 years, then as a professor at IIT Madras for 15 years before taking charge as Director of IIT Hyderabad in 2019. Now in his second term, he is set to continue leading IIT Hyderabad until 2030.

Alongside his responsibilities at IITH, Professor Murty holds the title of Institute Professor at IIT Madras and serves as adjunct faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University, the University of British Columbia, and Swinburne University in Australia.

A prolific contributor to the field, he has published over 500 scientific papers, authored four books, mentored 56 PhD students, and led nearly 75 sponsored research projects valued at around ₹200 crore.

He has also filed more than 15 patents. His achievements have earned him several honors, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, the National Metallurgist Award, Distinguished Alumnus Awards from IISc and VNIT, the INAE Outstanding Teacher Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from IIT Madras, and an honorary doctorate from Deakin University.