Leadership
Dr. K. R. S. Sambasiva Rao
VICE CHANCELLOR (I/C)
Message
It is a profound honour and privilege to serve as the founding Vice-Chancellor of Dr. RVR NRI Institute of Technology, deemed to be a University. In a rapidly evolving global higher education landscape, institutions must adapt to emerging demands by integrating advanced technologies, interdisciplinary approaches, and research-driven learning. With the implementation of the National Education Policy in India, there is a strong emphasis on creating a vibrant academic ecosystem that bridges the gap between academia and industry while nurturing competence, ethics, and values among students. At our university, we are committed to empowering young minds through quality education, fostering leadership, innovation, and a strong research culture in a dynamic and student-centric environment supported by excellent infrastructure and experienced faculty.
Our curriculum is designed to meet global standards with flexibility and industry relevance, encouraging creativity, continuous assessment, and outcome-based education. Research, innovation, and consultancy form the core pillars of our institution, with active faculty involvement in funded projects and strong industry collaborations that provide students with real-world exposure. We also focus on employability through structured training in soft skills, competitive exam preparation, and entrepreneurship development, aiming for holistic student growth and successful career outcomes. With growing international collaborations and a vision to nurture global professionals, we believe our university is progressing in the right direction, contributing meaningfully to nation-building. As rightly said by Rabindranath Tagore, “Higher Education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our lives in harmony with our existence.”
About Prof. K.R.S.Sambasiva Rao
Prof. K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao is a distinguished academic and visionary administrator whose illustrious career spans more than four and a half decades of research, teaching, and institutional leadership. Renowned for his intellectual depth and transformative governance, he has made enduring contributions to higher education in India and abroad.
He currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor of Dr. RVR NRI Institute of Technology (Deemed to be University), Pothavarappadu, Agiripalli Mandal, Vijayawada Rural, Andhra Pradesh, a position he has held since April 1, 2026. Prior to this, he served with distinction as Vice-Chancellor of Mizoram University, a Central University, from 2017 to 2022, and subsequently as Vice-Chancellor of Mangalayatan University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, from September 2023 to March 2026. His earlier leadership roles include serving as Rector and In-charge Vice-Chancellor of Acharya Nagarjuna University between 2014 and 2017, marking a steady ascent in academic governance.
Prof. Rao’s academic credentials are exceptional and reflect a rare interdisciplinary breadth. He holds a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Biotechnology from Berhampur University, a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Andhra University, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Sri Venkateswara University. Complementing these are multiple postgraduate degrees—M.Sc. in Zoology, Psychology, and Information Technology, an M.A. in Sociology, and an MBA in Big Data Analytics—along with a Postgraduate Certificate in Statistics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Applications. This diverse academic foundation has enabled him to seamlessly integrate scientific inquiry with strategic academic leadership.
His professional journey is anchored in nearly three decades of service at Acharya Nagarjuna University, where he rose to the rank of Professor of Zoology and Biotechnology. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Department of Biotechnology and introducing pioneering academic programs such as M.Sc. Biotechnology, M.Tech. Biotechnology, and M.Sc. Nanobiotechnology, strengthening the institution’s research and academic profile.
A prolific scholar, Prof. Rao has authored more than 282 research publications in leading national and international journals, edited and written 22 books, and presented more than 68 papers at scientific symposia. His research has resulted in the filing of eight patents and the submission of six gene bank entries. His scholarly impact is reflected in an impressive citation record, with over 23,570 citations on Google Scholar (H-index: 64; i10-index: 492), as well as substantial recognition in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. He has successfully guided 26 Ph.D. scholars and 21 M.Phil. students, significantly contributing to the development of future researchers.
Prof. Rao’s global academic engagement is equally noteworthy. He has served as a Visiting Scientist at Emory University (USA), the University of Göttingen (Germany), and Virginia Commonwealth University (USA). He has also held positions as Adjunct and Visiting Professor at institutions including INDICASAT (Republic of Panama), University of Malaysia Terengganu, UCSI University Malaysia, and the Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic. His international collaborations span numerous countries, including Australia, Singapore, Nepal, China, Ethiopia, South Korea, and Tanzania.
During his tenure at Mizoram University, Prof. Rao led a remarkable institutional transformation. Under his stewardship, the University consistently ranked among the top 100 institutions in India according to NIRF rankings and secured NAAC ‘A’ Grade accreditation. He mobilized over ₹300 crores in research funding and ₹275 crores for infrastructure development, established advanced research incubators with support from DST, DBT, and DRDO, and fostered robust international collaborations. His leadership emphasized innovation, academic expansion, and a vibrant research ecosystem.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Prof. Rao has received numerous prestigious awards and honors, including the Panama National Award for Educational Development, the Talented Biotechnologist Award from the University of Colombo, and the Andhra Pradesh State Best Teacher Award. He is a Fellow of several esteemed professional bodies, including the Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences, the Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy, the Society for Regenerative Medicine, and the Society of Applied Biotechnologists. He has also received the Lions International President’s Appreciation Award and has served as the Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy’s General Secretary since 2007.
Prof. K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao’s career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence in science, innovation, and higher education. His visionary leadership has not only elevated the institutions he has served but also meaningfully contributed to the broader academic and research landscape. With his profound experience, global perspective, and interdisciplinary expertise, he continues to inspire and shape the future of higher education in India and beyond.