S. Vishnu Sharma
SRM AP, there is a development worth noting with regards to SRM University in Andhra Pradesh. Professor Vajja Sambasiva Rao took charge as new Vice-Chancellor of SRM AP on 1 July.
Professor V.S. Rao is an eminent academician who has been the vanguard of leading excellence in higher technical education in India.
He is an alumnus of BITS, Pilani and University of Bielefeld in Germany. Before taking charge as vice-chancellor at SRM AP, Professor Rao served as the president of NIIT University and was also acting vice-chancellor and director at BITS, Pilani.
Professor Rao received a warm welcome from the President of SRM AP Dr. P. Satyanarayanan on assuming the charge.
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I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor V. S. Rao as the new Vice-Chancellor of SRM AP. Dr VS Rao is a renowned academician with over four decades of experience in Academics and Administration, said Dr. P. Satyanarayanan.
‘I am optimistic that his strategic and operational skills combined with his deep knowledge in academic research, will help SRM AP scale greater heights in its pursuit to be a truly global research-intensive educational institution.’
Pro-vice chancellor of SRM AP welcoming the new vice chancellor said Professor V.S. Rao, an institution builder, has developed BITS, Hyderabad as a highly reputed institution in a short time.
With his rich and vast experience at BITS – Pilani and also as the Director, BITS Hyderabad, I am sure that he will take SRM AP to greater heights, said Professor D. Narayana Rao.
SRM AP registrar Dr. D. Gunasekaran said Professor V.R. Rao’s joining SRM AP is a delightful news for them. We are confident that his values and collaborative leadership approach will help SRM AP to make a visible difference to the world.
The faculty members, students and staff of SRM University AP welcomes the new Vice-Chancellor Professor V.S. Rao, said Dr. D. Gunasekaran.
As SRM AP embarks on an exciting period of development in an immensely challenging and competitive environment with an ambitious strategy that builds on the well-established reputation for ground-breaking research, innovation and cross-disciplinary academic activity, it is the high time to demonstrate the capability to make a difference to the lives of individuals, communities and societies in the region and around the world.
Professor V.S. Rao said he was looking forward to contributing to the internationally acclaimed SRM Group, through his best efforts.
‘We at SRM AP would like to see that every student graduating from here would be industry-ready, and get numerous opportunities during their career.
I consider myself fortunate to have this opportunity to be part of such an excellent institution in the sphere of higher education, that has been delivering quality teaching and learning and research relevant to the society, he said.
During his career spanning over forty-two years, Professor V.S. Rao has made significant contributions in the arena of education.
As the President of NIIT University (NU), Neemrana, Rajasthan, he has led many initiatives at NU starting from curriculum innovations, faculty expansion and development to the introduction of new Programmes and digital learning.
He apprehended the importance of Industry linkage with academia and committed to upholding it. Prior to joining NU, Professor V.S. Rao had a vigorous association with BITS, Pilani for over 44 years including six years of his graduation.
The educationist also played a crucial role in the establishment of BITS Pilani in Hyderabad campus in terms of strategy and conception.
He worked very closely with Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, the then Chief Minister in realising his vision of establishing BITS Pilani campus in Hyderabad, a state-of-the-art campus with innovative ideas.
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The research of interest of Professor V.R. Rao included synthetic organic chemistry, natural product research, green chemistry.
He has guided four PhD students and published several research papers in reputed journals. His passion for teaching has earned accolades from several batches of BITS students.
Professor V.S. Rao obtained M.Sc and PhD from BITS Pilani. In 1998, at the invitation of the German Foundation for International Development, he attended a four-month training programme on Educational Economics and Educational Research at the University of Bielefeld, Germany.
His philosophy and utilitarian standpoint as an educator have been moulded by his pragmatic ideology and productive wisdom as an administrator.
The senior educationist is also on the advisory board for various colleges, institutions and universities across the country.
He is also an avid explorer who has extensively travelled across the globe to visit international universities of repute.