Speakers

Dr. P. Shankar, Director-Academics at KGISL Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, is a distinguished metallurgist and academic leader. A B.E. graduate in Metallurgy from PSG College of Technology and a Ph.D. from IISc Bangalore, he also pursued postdoctoral research in the Netherlands. Formerly a Scientific Officer at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, Dr. Shankar has held prominent roles, including Principal at leading engineering institutions and Visiting Professor at the University of Arkansas, USA. With nearly 90 scientific publications, two patents, and co-authorship of books on nanotechnology and material design, he is a recognized expert in his field. Dr. Shankar has guided numerous research scholars and actively contributed to national and international academic initiatives, earning multiple accolades for his contributions.

Dr. S. Suresh Kumar is a distinguished educator and researcher with over 27 years of experience spanning Education, Research, and Development in fields such as Power Electronics & Drives, Renewable Energy Technologies, Signal & Image Processing, Embedded Systems, and IoT. He has been instrumental in establishing Centers of Excellence including the Texas Instruments Centre for Embedded Systems & IoT, SIEMENS Centre of Automation & Drives, and a DRDO Sponsored Audio Processing Centre. With a robust background in academia, he has served in various capacities including faculty at PSG College of Technology, Director at Karunya University, and Director of Research at Dr. NGP Institute of Technology. Currently serving as Vice Principal at KGiSL Institute of Technology, Dr. Suresh Kumar is known for his leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. He is recognized for his ability to streamline operations, organize events, and build strong relationships within academic communities. A self-motivated individual, he remains focused on employee retention and individual well-being, embodying qualities of an out-of-the-box thinker and cohesive team player.

Dr. S. J. Vijay is a distinguished academic and researcher, currently holding the position of Director of Research and Consultancy at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. With a PhD from Anna University and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Jeonju University, South Korea, he possesses extensive expertise in Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Vijay teaches courses in additive manufacturing, materials engineering, and digital manufacturing as a Professor in the field. His research endeavors are marked by over 65 papers published in esteemed peer-reviewed journals and the acquisition of 7 patents. Leading funded projects exceeding INR 2 crores and consultancy assignments worth INR 1 crore, he has made significant contributions to advancing engineering innovation. Notably, his global impact is evident through projects completed for renowned organizations like The Boeing Company, USA, and GIZ, Germany, underscoring his dedication to pioneering engineering scholarship and research.

Dr. K. Srinivasan is a seasoned educator and researcher with 19 years of experience in engineering education. He obtained his Ph.D. in Information and Communication Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, in 2018. Dr. Srinivasan has been instrumental in securing funds from AICTE under the GOC Scheme and has undertaken consultancy projects, notably in antenna design. His research contributions are prolific, with publications in SCI Journals, Scopus, international and national conferences, book chapters, and patents. Recognized for his outstanding achievements, he has received prestigious awards such as the Swamy Vivekanandha award, Top 10 Principal award from NEBH, academic excellence award, and Distinguished Professor award from Novel Research Academy. Dr. Srinivasan is an active member of ISTE and IEEE Society, contributing to the advancement of engineering education and research through his extensive academic and professional engagements.

Dr. M. Somasundaram, an adept professional with expertise in implementing Quality through Frameworks, has served in diverse roles such as Management Representative and Internal Auditor for ISO 9001:2015 QMS, Implementor for ISO 21001:2018 EOMS, and Internal Assessor for TBEM and CMM. With a rich background in academia and industry, he has been an Innovation Ambassador at R.M.K. Engineering College and actively contributed to initiatives like the Smart India Hackathon in various capacities. As Head of Innovation Lab for Insurance at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), he led the development of cutting-edge tools and products for global clients. Dr. Somasundaram’s scholarly contributions extend to over 30 research papers published in international journals, focusing on Wireless Body Area Networks, Artificial Intelligence, and Engineering Education. His dedication to excellence and innovation continues to drive impactful advancements in both academic and corporate spheres.

Dr. Jamshed Bharucha, the founding Vice Chancellor of Sai University, brings a wealth of experience to academia. As President Emeritus of Cooper Union, New York, he has held distinguished roles including Provost & Senior Vice President at Tufts University and Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at Dartmouth College. Dr. Bharucha’s academic journey includes fellowships at renowned institutions such as the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University and visiting scholar positions at Harvard University, Stanford University, and Carnegie Mellon University. His research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, particularly the perception of music, has earned him recognition as the editor of the interdisciplinary journal Music Perception. Dr. Bharucha is honored as a Pride of America by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and has received accolades including the Distinguished Achievement Award from Vassar College Alumni and the Huntington Teaching Award from Dartmouth College. He holds a PhD in Psychology from Harvard University and is an alumnus of Yale University, Vassar College, and the Trinity College of London.