Prof Devendra Jalihal has assumed charge as the director of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, today, May 15, 2024. He succeeded Prof Rajeev Ahuja, who held the additional charge of IIT Guwahati from November 2023. Prior to this appointment, Prof Jalihal served as a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras.

Upon assuming the role, Prof Jalihal in his inaugural address said, “IIT Guwahati is ranked consistently among the top 10 by the NIRF Rankings and has research citation rank of 32 in QS world rankings. Situated in one of the most biodiverse and economically dynamic locations of the country, this region has experienced rapid infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and industrial growth.”

He further mentioned, “With the upcoming Tata-sponsored Semiconductor testing and packaging industry near Guwahati, IIT Guwahati is poised to lead the technological advancement of the region. As the only IIT in the northeast region, the institute will work to fulfil the aspirations of all the stakeholders.”

He envisions evolving IIT Guwahati into a hub for cutting-edge research, with a strong emphasis on translational research to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ultimately fostering tangible societal impact and sustainable development.

Prof Devendra Jalihal earned his BTech (Hons) from IIT Kharagpur in 1983 and completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Duke University, Durham, USA, in 1992. He joined the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras in 1994 and served as the Head of the Department (HoD) from 2016 to 2019. Before assuming his role at IIT Guwahati, Prof Jalihal chaired the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education at IIT Madras, overseeing all educational outreach activities of the institute.

With research interests spanning digital signal processing, wireless communication, real-time voice and video communication, and societal applications of wireless technologies, he has contributed to projects, including low bit-rate video conferencing, tactical communication systems, disaster management communication systems, and satellite communication networks. Prof Jalihal also collaborates with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on strategic communication challenges.

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