Prof. S. Sadagopan

Prof. S. Sadagopan is an academic and technology leader with over four decades of experience in higher education, information technology, research, and technology-enabled governance.

He holds a PhD and M.S. from Purdue University, USA (1979), and a B.E. (Hons.) from the University of Madras (1973).

He served as the founding Director of IIIT-Bangalore from 1999 to 2021, where he played a key role in the institution’s visioning, planning and development. Earlier, he taught at IIT Kanpur and IIM Bangalore and held visiting academic positions at Rutgers University, USA, and the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. His teaching and research have focused on Operations Research and the application of information technology in government, enterprises and education. He has advised and served on the boards of organisations across the technology, automotive, financial, public-sector and social sectors, and has mentored technology institutions and start-ups.

Areas of Expertise:

His areas of expertise include information technology and digital transformation, operations research, technology policy, e-governance, higher education and institutional development, IT applications in government and enterprises, and technology entrepreneurship.

Current Positions:

• Chairman, Board of Governors, IIIT-Kancheepuram
• Board Member, NESL
• Board Member, NADL
• Board Member, eGov Foundation
• Board Member, MOSIP
• Advisor, Jain University
• Advisor, ISBR
• Advisor, Sai University

Past Positions:

• Former Board Member, IIIT-Bangalore
• Former Board Member, IIIT-Delhi
• Former Board Member, IBAB
• Mentor Director, IIIT-NR
• Mentor Director, IIIT-DWD
• Mentor Director, MIIT, Myanmar

Key Contributions / Achievements:

• As the founding Director of IIIT-Bangalore, Prof. Sadagopan played a central role in establishing and developing the institution from its inception. His contributions extend to technology and management education, institutional development, and the application of technology to public and organisational challenges.
• He has authored seven books and published research in journals including IEEE Transactions, European Journal of Operational Research, and Journal of Optimisation Theory and Applications. His recognitions include a Fulbright Fellowship (1995), the Cisco-NDTV Digital Pioneer Award (2016), and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering, Guindy (2019). He has also advised and served on the boards of organisations across technology, automotive, financial services, energy, and manufacturing.

Publications / Research:

• Sadagopan, S., & Ravindran, A. (1982). A vertex ranking algorithm for the fixed-charge transportation problem. Journal of Optimisation Theory and Applications, 37(2), 221-230. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00934768
• Sadagopan, S., & Ravindran, A. (1982). Interactive solution of bi-criteria mathematical programs. Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, 29(3), 443-459. https://doi.org/10.1002/nav.3800290307
• Ravindran, A., Sadagopan, S., Petersen, C. C., & Hatsell, C. P. (1980). Using simulation in cardiovascular disease control. SIMULATION, 35(1), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.1177/003754978003500103
• Sadagopan, S., & Ravindran, A. (1986). Interactive algorithms for multiple criteria nonlinear programming problems. European Journal of Operational Research, 25(2), 247-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-2217(86)90089-5