Guwahati: Prof. Devendra Jalihal on Wednesday took charge as the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.
Formerly a distinguished Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras, Prof. Jalihal is primed to steer IIT Guwahati towards becoming a beacon of cutting-edge research, academic excellence, and innovation.
His strategic focus revolves around fostering synergies between academia and industry, with a strong emphasis on translational research aimed at driving tangible societal impact and sustainable development.
Expressing his gratitude and excitement for the opportunity, Prof. Jalihal said, “IIT Guwahati holds a prestigious position among educational institutions, consistently ranking in the top 10 by the NIRF Rankings and boasting a commendable research citation rank of 32 in QS world rankings. Situated in a region known for its biodiversity and economic dynamism, the institute is poised for remarkable growth and influence.”
Recognizing the industrial potential of the region, Prof. Jalihal stressed IIT Guwahati’s pivotal role in spearheading technological advancements, particularly with the forthcoming Tata-sponsored Semiconductor testing and packaging industry near Guwahati.
Prof. Jalihal’s illustrious academic journey includes earning his B.Tech. (Hons) from IIT Kharagpur in 1983 and completing his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Duke University, Durham, USA, in 1992.
Before his appointment at IIT Guwahati, he served as the Head of the Department (HoD) of Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras and chaired the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education, overseeing the institute’s educational outreach endeavours.