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Meet the 'Golden Ten': The 10 UVCE Alumni Who Became IEEE Fellows
Meet the 'Golden Ten': The 10 UVCE Alumni Who Became IEEE Fellows
In the global landscape of technology and engineering, the title of IEEE Fellow is one of the most prestigious honors a professional can attain. It is reserved for those who have made extraordinary contributions to the field. For the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), this honor is not just a badge of excellence for individuals, but a testament to the institution's 108-year legacy of producing world-class visionaries.
As we celebrate the Silver Jubilee of IEEE UVCE, we pause to honor the "Golden Ten"—ten remarkable alumni who have reached the pinnacle of technical recognition. From the pioneers of Radar development to the architects of Cloud Computing and AI, these individuals represent the very best of UVCE.
The Impact of an IEEE Fellow
The IEEE Grade of Fellow is conferred by the Board of Directors upon a person with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest. The total number selected in any one year does not exceed one-tenth of one percent of the total voting membership. For a single institution like UVCE to boast ten such fellows is a rare distinction in the Indian engineering ecosystem.
| Year | Name | Batch & Branch | Primary Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Dr. V Prasad Kodali | 1961, Electrical | Radar Development Leadership |
| 1985 | Dr. Nasir Ahmed | 1961, Electrical | Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) |
| 1991 | Dr. M. A. L. Thathachar | 1961, Electrical | Learning Automata Theory |
| 1995 | Dr. S. S. Iyengar | 1968, Mechanical | Data Structures for Robotics |
| 1996 | Dr. Viktor K Prasanna | 1976, Electronics | Reconfigurable Computing |
| 2001 | Dr. Belur V Dasarathy | 1963, Electrical | Sensor Fusion & Pattern Recognition |
| 2002 | Dr. Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre | 1961, Electrical | Strategic Defense Systems |
| 2015 | Dr. Rajkumar Buyya | 1995, ME CSE | Cloud Computing Systems |
| 2016 | Dr. Venugopal K R | 1979, Electronics | Computer Science Education |
| 2025 | Dr. Nalini Venkatasubramanian | 1989, CSE | Adaptive Software & Safety |
Profiling the Visionaries
A true pioneer, Dr. Kodali dedicated four decades to promoting IEEE visibility in India. His work spans circuit theory and microwave semiconductors, laying the groundwork for electronic sciences in the country. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Vasvik Research Award.
If you have ever used a JPEG image or watched a digital video, you have Dr. Nasir Ahmed to thank. He is the leading mind behind the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), the fundamental technology used in image and video compression worldwide. His work is among the most cited in the history of Digital Signal Processing.
Fondly known as "MALT" by his students at IISc, Dr. Thathachar was a giant in Adaptive Control and Machine Learning long before they became buzzwords. He co-authored the definitive book "Learning Automata," which remains a cornerstone in the field.
Transitioning from Mechanical Engineering to becoming a global authority in Computer Science, Dr. Iyengar has published over 800 research papers. His algorithms have significantly impacted how robots perceive and navigate their environments.
Dr. Prasanna is a titan in High-Performance Computing. As the Director of the Center for Energy Informatics at USC, he has pioneered work in parallel systems and smart energy grids. With over 1000 publications, his influence on modern cloud computing and reconfigurable architecture is immense.
A global expert in Information Fusion, Dr. Dasarathy's work enables computers to combine data from various sensors to make intelligent decisions. His books on "Decision Fusion" and "Nearest Neighbor Norms" are standard references in the industry.
A recipient of both the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, Dr. Aatre served as the Scientific Advisor to the Defense Minister of India. His leadership at DRDO was pivotal in strengthening India's defense capabilities and strategic electronic systems.
Ranked as one of the world's most highly cited authors in Computer Science (h-index=114), Dr. Buyya's work on "Aneka" cloud technology has revolutionized how distributed systems operate. He leads the CLOUDS Lab and has authored four seminal textbooks that guide students globally.
With an incredible record of 11 degrees and two PhDs, Dr. Venugopal's life is dedicated to academia. He has supervised 25 PhDs, filed over 100 patents, and authored 64 books. His leadership as the Principal of UVCE and Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University has empowered thousands of students.
The newest addition to the "Golden Ten," Dr. Nalini's work focuses on Middleware and Internet-of-Things (IoT). Her research in Cyberphysical Systems is critical for developing resilient software that ensures community safety during emergencies and disasters.
Why This Matters for Every UVCEian
Looking at this list, one might notice a striking pattern: many of these fellows belong to the batch of 1961. This "Golden Batch" set a standard that continues to inspire the current generations. But beyond the years, it is the breadth of impact that defines them. From pure mathematics to defense, and from mechanical systems to the latest AI agents, UVCEians are everywhere.
For a current student at UVCE, these names are not just entries in a hall of fame; they are proof of what is possible. Whether you are working in the MARVEL lab, participating in Impetus, or writing your first paper for Kagada, you are following in the footsteps of giants.
Join the Legacy: Are you a UVCE alumnus or a student inspired by these stories? As part of our Sampada 30 Days Series, we invite you to share your thoughts and help us document more such achievements. Let us continue to stride ahead, carrying the spirit of Selfless Action that defines the UVCE volunteer identity.