Vice Chancellor
(Former ED, TIFAC)
Prof Ranjan has been educated in Gurukul Style Netarhat School, IIT Kharagpur, Delhi University. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley based on his research carried out at Lawrence Berkeley Lab on Nuclear Fusion in 1986. He worked for nearly 20 years making important contributions to Nuclear Fusion research as a scientist in India and USA. Recently he is leading Project Sanlayan as a chief mentor, which is a private initiative funded by Silicon Valley investors to develop nuclear fusion technology for Energy, Health, and Space applications.
Prof Ranjan is a Nuclear Fusion Scientist, a Futurist, an Educator, an Innovator, an Entrepreneur and a Science Communicator. From 2013-18, he was heading India's Technology Think Tank, TIFAC (Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council, an Autonomous body of DST, GoI) in Delhi as its Executive Director. TIFAC developed Technology Vision 2035 during his tenure, which was released by Hon'ble PM in Jan 2016. PMO directed all Dept/Ministries to follow this document and take the agenda forward under the leadership of NITI Aayog.
He also worked on Chandrayaan-II mission, wildlife, agriculture, and brain-computer interface(BCI). He has brought smiles to the faces of many persons with severe disabilities by innovative assistive technology for more than a decade. He has been nominated by BIS to represent India in the BCI standardization process at International Standards Organization.
At DYPIU, he has created a flexible and futuristic multitrack B Tech(Comp Sci and Engg) program that has impacted the Computer Science and Engineering curriculum across the country. He is also Chairing the National Steering Committee of AICTE IDEA Lab scheme to spread the digital fabrication movement across the country.
Research Areas
Nuclear Fusion, Wireless Sensor Networks and Embedded Systems – applications to Planetary Exploration, Wildlife, Assistive Technology for persons with severe disability, Brain-Computer Interface
Research Achievements
Nuclear Fusion
- Major contribution to improve both the first generation experimental Nuclear Fusion reactors (Tokamak) in India to International standards of operation
- Designed Real-Time Control System for India's first superconducting Tokamak SST-1
Planetary Exploration
- Designed LusseX to carry out Lunar Surface and Subsurface Exploration for Chandrayaan-II mission at the request of Chandrayaan Mission Director
- Worked on Lunar Seismic Sensor Network to monitor Seismic Activity on Moon
- Worked to detect water in the shadowed craters of the moon
Assistive Technology
- Developed devices to improve the quality of life of persons with a severe disability using body/brainwave/touch sensors
- Wildlife: Developed Wireless Sensor Networks technology for tracking wildlife for four groups of animals : (a) GPS based (b) GPS less (c) Image Sensor-based and (d) Acoustic Sensor based
Awards and Academic Achievements
- Rani Lakshmi Bai Nari Shakti Puraskar 2015 from President of India on behalf of TIFAC for women empowerment
- Bihar Gaurav Samman 2012 for contribution to S & T by Guj CM Shri Narendra Modi
- NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Award 2012 for developing technology to help severely disabled
- HP Innovate 2009 award for gesture-based Universal Remote Control to help persons with disability
- IBM Faculty Innovation Grant Award – 2004
- Most Emerging Higher Education Institute of Year Award - 2021
- New Code of Education Award - 2021
- Bihar Pravasi Samman, 2019
- Visionary Leader of the Year 2018 award, CEGR, Delhi
- IIASA Honorary Scholar, 2018, IIASA, Vienna
- Bejod Bihar Ratna Award 2018, Bihar Positive, Patna
- Iconic Leaders in Special Needs Awareness award 2016 by ALL Ladies League – Women Economic Forum
- International Creative Mind Award 2015 for Advancement to Technology and Physics
- Pride of Bihar - Bihar Gaurav Award, 2013 – Samarpan and Special Olympics, Bihar
- Samaj Ratna 2013 award for contribution to Science. Technology and Society
- National Science Talent Search Award - 1976
- Among top 20 of Bihar state Xth board examination - 1975
- Bihar state topper in prestigious Netarhat School Admission Test – 1970.
