The recently appointed Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology, Abhay Karandikar, has handed over the role of Director at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) to Deputy Director, Prof. S Ganesh, who will act in the capacity until a permanent director is appointed for IITK. Prof. Karandikar will assume his position at DST shortly.
IIT Kanpur's X handle (previously Twitter) wrote “As the time has come to bid #farewell, Dr. Abhay Karandikar's heartfelt address to the entire community once again gave us an opportunity to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the institute.”
Last week, Director of IIT-K, Abhay Karandikar's appointment as Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He succeeds Rajesh S Gokhale, who had taken over additional responsibilities in July this year, assuming the role of Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology.
In an official notification the ACC stated, “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur to the post of Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST) from the date of assumption of charge of the post till the date of his attaining the age of 60 years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) through its X, highlighted Karandikar's expertise as a “wireless communication expert” and his significant contributions to the development of a “frugal 5G network” for affordable rural broadband connectivity. His involvement in shaping telecom policy and regulations at the national level was also acknowledged.
Who is Prof. Abhay Karandikar ?
Prof. Abhay Karandikar had earned widespread recognition for his exceptional contributions in the field of electrical engineering, particularly within the telecommunications sector. His impressive portfolio boasted more than 20 patents, a testament to his innovative prowess. Notably, his research interests spanned frugal 5G technology and rural broadband connectivity, areas of paramount importance in India's journey towards digital inclusion and connectivity for all.
In addition to his role as the Director of IIT Kanpur, Prof. Karandikar had played a pivotal role in the design and execution of BharatNet, a government initiative that sought to provide broadband connectivity to India's rural areas. Furthermore, he had been a founding member of the Telecom Standards Development Society of India (TSDSI) and had also served as its chairman. His extensive experience and profound insights into bridging the digital divide in the nation, coupled with his contributions to setting industry standards, positioned him ideally to address the challenges and opportunities in the dynamic field of science and technology.
Adding to his impressive portfolio, he served as a Member (part-time) of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) from January 2017 to January 2020. Karandikar currently holds a position on the Technology Innovation Group for 6G and chairs the 6G Spectrum Task Force initiated by the Department of Telecommunications.
What is DST ?
The Department of Science and Technology holds a pivotal role in fostering scientific research and technological innovation across India. With Prof. Karandikar at its helm, it was expected to surge forward in its mission to drive progress in these crucial domains.
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