I am one of India's most accomplished and reputed Professors, and a proud Indian. A Gold Medalist in Chemical Engineering, I was the Director of IIT Madras for 10 years ( 2001-2011).

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As IIT-M Director, I created the largest open-courseware programme in technical education in the world, the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) and established the first university-based research park in India, the IITM Research Park in 2010 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

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In December 2011, I&EC Research published the Ananth-Festschrift Issue (Volume 50, No. 23) in my honour as a “leading researcher, gifted teacher and visionary leader of higher education in India”.

I have been a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee to Cabinet of GoI. 

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I am the only Vice-Chancellor from India to participate in the World Economic Forum as a member of the Global University Leaders Forum from 2007 to 2011.