Krea University announced the appointment of Dr Mahesh Rangarajan as its next Vice-Chancellor, effective July 2021. 

Dr Rangarajan has an MA and a DPhil, both from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.  His wide experience in academia includes faculty positions as Professor of Modern Indian History at the University of Delhi and Professor of History and Environmental Studies at Ashoka University, where he previously served as the Dean of Academic Affairs. He has also taught at Cornell University, Indian Institute of Science and National Centre for Biological Sciences.

His first book ‘Fencing the Forest’ was published in 1996 and the most recent ‘Nature and Nation’, in 2018. His co-edited works include ‘India’s Environmental History’, and ‘At Nature’s Edge’. Having started his career as a journalist, he has also served in roles outside academia, including as the Director of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi.

Dr Rangarajan’s appointment by the Chancellor of Krea University, N Vaghul, comes after a rigorous global search launched by the University last year. The search was led by a committee co-chaired by Dr Vishakha Desai, Senior Advisor for Global Affairs to the President of Columbia University and Kapil Viswanathan, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Governing Council.

Commenting on the appointment, Viswanathan said, “As a scholar and an administrator with a global outlook, Dr Rangarajan is well placed to further Krea University’s mission to help humanity prepare for an unpredictable world.  We look forward to Dr Rangarajan’s leadership, building on Krea University’s strong foundations of ethics, innovation, excellence, inclusivity and accountability.”

Dr Desai said, “As a renowned scholar of history and environmental studies, Dr Rangarajan embodies the spirit of interwoven learning that Krea University stands for. His experience in the academy and in public institutions would serve to strengthen Krea University’s commitment to bridging the intellectual world with the one beyond.” 

On his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, Dr Rangarajan said, “It is my honour and privilege to accept this position, and join the extraordinarily talented faculty, staff and students of Krea University in pursuit of our shared mission. I will strive to uphold the high standards of innovation and excellence that Krea University stands for.”

Krea University’s current Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sunder Ramaswamy will complete his tenure in June 2021 and will continue to be associated with Krea as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Economics.  As the inaugural Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ramaswamy played a key role in shaping Krea University in its formative years.   

Also read: Smooth launch of India’s pioneer interwoven arts & sciences university: Krea University