J. Kumar, a professor of Anna University, Guindy, has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University. He will have a three-year tenure from the date of his assuming office.
Governor-Chancellor R.N. Ravi handed over the appointment order to him on Tuesday.
Mr. Kumar is the second professor from Anna University to head Madurai Kamaraj University. The previous Vice-Chancellor, M. Krishnan, also of Anna University, resigned after he was made the Vice-Chancellor of Central University, Tiruvarur. He demitted office six months before his tenure was to have ended on January 2 this year.
With over 29 years of teaching and research experience, Mr. Kumar is serving as a University Grants Commission BSR faculty fellow at Anna University’s Crystal Growth Centre. He has completed over 20 sponsored research and development projects, and has two patents to his credit.
He has published over 160 research papers in peer-reviewed international journals and guided 25 research scholars. He has also served as Registrar in-charge and held several administrative positions such as the Director of the Centre for Technology Development and Transfer and the Director, Planning and Development. He has also organised over five international events.
A release issued by the Governor-Chancellor’s office said Mr. Kumar was instrumental in implementing several administrative reforms. He is a recipient of University of Parma, Italy’s Best Innovation Award DSSTM, the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award for 2012 for his contribution to physical sciences, and the Department of Atomic Energy Young Scientist Award.
Mr. Kumar has conducted collaborative research and teaching at foreign institutions and visited 15 foreign countries for academic and research purposes, the release added.
