Dean (Academic Graduate Studies and Research): (May 2018 – June 2020)
I was the University-wide Dean for all 4 campuses of BITS Pilani heading the Academic Graduate studies and Research Division dealing with ME/MPhil./ M.Pharm. and Doctoral programmes. As Dean, I initiated several activities pertaining to this Division which was newly formed in 2017
· Co-ordinating the student cycle of HD and PhD starting from admissions. This involved framing of HD and PhD brochures (based on inputs from Departments). I have closely with vendors like Eduquity, TCS and DevitPL who are/were external agencies involved in HD / PhD admissions. I was involved in selection, negotiations and final appointment of DevitPL as vendor for HD/PhD admissions. The work involved interacting with these companies during the admission iteration process for HD admissions. The activity was done in conjunction with Dean AUGSD. I was responsible for coordinating the admission process online (during the pandemic). I was instrumental in working with these companies in developing the design and content for the HD/PhD admission webpage.
· Co-ordinating conducting of PhD qualifying exams and interviews with Associate Deans (AGSRD across campuses) and HODs’ and approving the same by the examination committee post presentation.
· Framing proposals related to HD and PhD programmes for approval in the Senate. In this regard, was instrumental in securing senate approval for a related to changing of PhD examiners from 3 to 2.
· Was instrumental in working with the Registrar in implementation of a process to clear PhD theses (from submission to examination) in 60 days.
· Worked closely with the Vice-Chancellor and Director with regard to IOE related activities.
· Involved in recommendation of PhD supervisor and examiner for final approval by the Vice-Chancellor.
· Was involved in framing and successful implementation of policy for fellowship increase for HD and PhD students to Rs. 13,500/- and Rs. 31,000/- respectively.
· Was involved in framing a policy and successful implementation for merit-based increase in fellowship for PhD students from Rs. 31,000/- to Rs. 35,000/- across Indian campuses.
· Member of Committees
· Vice-Chairman of Research Board
· Convenor of Doctoral Counselling Committee
· Member of the Academic Counselling Board for on-campus programmes
· Member of Academic Monitoring Board for off-campus programmes\
· Member of sub-committee of the examination committee (as Dean AGSRD)
· Showcased achievements and progress of AGSRD at University reviews conducted.
· Formulated a policy and had it approved at Senate level for admission of army personnel into the HD Degree programme of BITS Pilani.
Professor in-Charge (University wide), Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship - CIIE (2015 - 2019)
In-Charge: IMA / Central research facility Lab
As a part of building a central research facility, I have been entrusted the role of Iin-charge' for the above. I have in the last 2 years been involved in procurement of 3 major Central Facility Equipments (Namely Scanning Electron Microscope, LCMS an ZETA Potential Analyzer) worth Rs. 4 .2 crores. I coordinated the entire procurement process which included interacting with Departments, analyzing quotations, negotiating with Vendors and finally installing and commissioning these equipment. I am also involved annual budget preparation for this facility. The IMA lab will now be shifted to a new location as part of expansion plans. I am coordinating with the project team along with Departments in development of the lab at the new location
Faculty in-Charge Student Sporting Activities (2005 - 2010)
As Sports in-Charge, I have actively been part of development of Sporting Infra-structure in the campus along with procurement and installation of sporting equipment related to Badminton, Basketball, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Tennis etc. I have also worked in conjunction with In-Charge, Student Activity Centre (SAC) in developing facilities for a Gymnasium in the campus. I also helped co-ordinate and help conduct sporting events like inter-hostel tournaments, SPREE (2007, 2008 and 2009).
Membership of Committees - Member of Disciplinary committee (2006)
- Member of Anti-ragging flying squad (2005 – 2006)
- Member of committee for working of connectivity and Internet facilities in the Institute (2006)
- Member of organizing committee regarding PM’s visit to BITS Pilani Goa campus (2006)
- Member of Doctoral advisory committee (2007 – till date)
- Member of Academic Advisory Council (2008)
- Member of library committee (2008 – till date)
- Member of recruitment committee (2008 – till date)
- Member of organizing committee regarding APJ Abdul Kalam’s visit to BITS Pilani Goa campus (2009)
- Committee for combating HEPATITIS-A (2009)
- Member of Convocation Committee (2011 - 2013)
- Member of Committee involved in recruitment of Office and Technical Assistant (2013)
- Member of Senate (2010 - till date)
- Member of CCFAC Committee related to faculty appraisals: Associate Professor level (2015 - till date)
Miscellaneous
BITSAT Invigilator 2005
Have been part of Student admissions, Registration (2006 - 2013) and orientation (2010 - 2013)
Co-ordinator of NAAC visit in 2008
Task Force Leader for thrust area "Campus Life" as part of the Mission 2012 - Vision 2020 programme Leading the Imperative related to Industry Engagement at part of Mission 2015 - Vision 2020
Associated with co-ordinating discussions with Mckinsey in relation to leveraging WILP programmes of the Institute
Member of cross campus team associated with framing new course structure for specific BS Process Engineering programmes (WILP)