IIT Madras gets new director - V Kamakoti

NEW DELHI: V Kamakoti, professor at Computer Science and Engineering department at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has been appointed as the new director of the institute. Professor Bhaskar Ramamurthi is stepping down as the director of IIT Madras after completing two stellar terms that took the Institute to great heights, an official statement from the institute said.

An Alumnus of IIT Madras, Kamakoti, is currently the Associate Dean for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR), IIT Madras. He is also a member of the National Security Advisory Board, Government of India.

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Congratulating V Kamakoti on his appointment, Ramamurthi said: “With Prof. Kamakoti at the helm, IIT Madras is poised to scale new heights in the coming years. He is an excellent teacher and researcher, and an able administrator. He has played key roles in many national projects, bringing to bear his deep expertise in computing and cybersecurity. The Institute and the country will benefit tremendously from his services”.

Kamakoti led the research team that designed and booted up India’s first Indigenously-developed Microprocessor ‘SHAKTI’ that can be used in mobile computing devices and networking systems. It can reduce reliance on imported microprocessors in Communications and Defence Sectors. ‘SHAKTI’ Microprocessor can be used by other sectors as well as it is on par with its international peers.

Kamakoti was appointed by the Union Commerce Ministry in 2017 as the Chairman of a Taskforce on leveraging Artificial Intelligence for development across various fields. He has been presented the following awards:

• Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship, 2020
• IESA Techno Visionary Award, 2018
• IBM Faculty Award, 2016
• DRDO Academy Excellence Award, 2013
• IITM Young Faculty Recognition Award (YFRA), 2007

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Speaking about his priorities, Kamakoti, incoming Director, IIT Madras, said: “In the last two decades IIT Madras has focussed on Inter disciplinary translational research of relevance to our Nation. We have also reached out to large number of students through NPTEL, Swayam and On-line degree programs. With these gathered strengths, our immediate priority would be on augmenting the skill-set for indigenous technology development addressing local and global requirements aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy.”