Dear Alumnus/Alumna,

The Director, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, was recently interviewed by a correspondent from “The Hindu”. Here’s a link to the report & video:
http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/interview-with-director-of-iit-madras-bhaskar-ramamurthi/article6533234.ece & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9RptW1IUhU

The IIT Madras “Strategic Plan 2020” has been reported on by Business Standard:http://www.sify.com/finance/iit-madras-seeks-to-be-in-top-50-in-all-disciplines-news-default-okndJSbhagfib.html

Deccan Chronicle has reported on IITM’s plan to create “Professor of Practice” positions for industry resources: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141025/nation-education/article/iit-madras-soon-create-professors-practice

IITM faculty are conducting a course in heritage conservation:http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/course-for-engineers-in-heritage-conservation/1/397400.html

IITM’s youngest Department, Engineering Design, recently conducted an Open House: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/education/iitms-dept-showcases-industrycentric-research/article6535340.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication

On the alumni front, Dr. Aravind Srinivasan (B. Tech. CS, 1989; Professor, University of Maryland-College Park) has been appointed Vice Chair of the IEEE Technical Committee on the Mathematical Foundations of Computing, starting January 2015.

The Gift of New Abilities, a project started by Dr. A.G. Ramakrishnan (1982/MT/EE & 1988/PHD/AM), has built a technological tool that enables any blind person to access content that is printed. Dr. Ramakrishnan is a Professor of Medical Intelligence & Language Engineering (MILE) at IISc in Bangalore.
http://www.livemint.com/Specials/53C6ZuiulkTbXt70TNhxnM/Enabling-the-blind-to-access-printed-content.html

Another alum in Chennai, D. Suresh has stopped worrying about price rise or the need to run after the gas agency for his domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply. Having installed a biogas plant, he has become self-sufficient with regard to his kitchen energy needs. The plant, costing around Rs. 35,000, involves no big technology and can be set up with a synthetic plastic water tank in a matter of hours. There is no maintenance required and one only has to put organic waste into the plant. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/fighting-the-good-green-fight/article6535635.ece