ABOUT US

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

(Founder Trustees)

The National Institute of Science and Technology is promoted by SM Charitable Educational Trust (SMCET). The Trust was established in 1995 by Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra and Mrs. Sanjeeta Mohapatra (both are NRIs based in US) as Founder/Donor Trustees. The primary objective of the Trust is to establish and develop center of academic excellence, research, and innovation at par with reputed international universities in founder's home state of Odisha.

The Board of Trustees are highly accomplished academicians and technocrats educated in top institutes of India and abroad. Brief profiles of trustees are as follow:

Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra, Chairman

PhD (Computer Science): Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ, USA
MS (Computer Science): University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA, USA
B.Sc Engg. (Hons.): National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India

Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra is the founder chairman of the Trust prompting NIST and NIST Governing Body since its inception in 1995. Dr. Mohapatra has over 30 years of professional experience with leadership positions in applied research, technology strategy, and business development in telecommunications industry. He has worked in leadership positions at AT&T, Lucent Technologies - Bell Laboratories and Ericsson as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). His work area and research interest include: Next Generation Networks, 5G and Future Communication, Multi-service Network Management, Network Planning and Optimization, Network Virtualization (NFV/SDN), Cloud Computing, Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), Internet of Things (IoT) and Computer Vision/Edge Analytics/Immersive X-Reality applications. He has published extensively in the areas of data networking, network management, optimization, congestion control, network virtualization and Internet of Things (IoT) in refereed journals and conferences.
Dr. Mohapatra has taught graduate programs at Rutgers University, NJ, USA. He is recipient of multiple awards and recognitions for his seminal contribution in research, technology and leadership, including prestigious DMTS award at Bell Laboratories, Strathmore World's Who's Who, Distinguished Alumni Award from NIT Rourkela, Distinguished Odia Award by OSA, USA and Sir Visvesvaraya Award by Engineers Forum. He is a senior member of IEEE and has been an invited speaker at various conferences and forums around the globe.

Mrs. Sanjeeta Mohapatra, Member

MS (Computer Science): State University of New York, USA
MA (Economics): Delhi School of Economics, Delhi, India

Mrs. Sanjeeta Mohapatra is founder/donor member of SM Charitable Educational Trust promoting NIST. Ms. Mohapatra has over 20 years of experience primarily in telecommunications industry. She has worked for Lucent Technologies, IBM, and AT&T in the USA. Currently she works at AT&T leading systems engineering for management of next generation networks. She is recipient of multiple awards and honors including AT&T Software Excellence Award for her contribution in computing and communications. She holds patents on software systems and algorithms.

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Prof. Prasant Mohapatra, VC - Research UC Davis, USA

Dr Prasant Mohapatra is a VC for Research at University of California, Davis. He had also served there as a professor in the Department of Computer Science, and as the Dean and Vice-Provost of Graduate Studies. Prior to University of California, he had been on the faculty at Iowa State University and Michigan State University, and Visiting Scientist positions at Intel Corporation, Panasonic Technologies, Institute of Infocomm Research (I2R), Singapore, and National ICT Australia (NICTA). He received his doctoral degree from Penn State University in 1993, and received an Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award in 2008. He is also the recipient of Distinguished Alumnus Award from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India.

Prof. Chitta Baral, Professor ASU, USA

Prof. Chitta Baral is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology (B.Tech, 1987) and University of Maryland (MS, Computer Science, 1990; PhD, 1991). He is a professor in the School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering in the Ira A Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU). He is also the chair of the graduate program in computer science. Prior to ASU, he served as an assistant and associate professor with the University of Texas at El Paso (Sept 1991 - August 1999). His expertise includes bioinformatics knowledge representation, reasoning and declarative problem solving, and a systematic approach to designing and analyzing autonomous agents.

Prof. Arun K Pujari, VC - Central University of Rajasthan

Prof. Arun K. Pujari is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Hyderabad. He is currently the Vice Chancellor at Central University of Rajasthan. Previously he had also served at Automated Cartography Cell, Survey of India, and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He got PhD from IIT Kanpur and MSc from Sambalpur University. He had taught in several national institutions for over 35 years during which he had also designed and developed several new courses in Database, Theory of Computation, Computer Vision, Computational Geometry, Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Based Optimization Techniques, Knowledge Representation & Reasoning, Machine Learning, Data Mining & Data Warehousing, Neural Networks, GIS and Bioinformatics. Besides, he was a member of high-level bodies such as UGC, DST, DRDO, ISRO and AICTE. He has guided 20 doctoral students and published in 31 journals and 48 refereed conferences. He frequently visits USA, France, Australia, Macau, and Japan as a visiting professor.

Dr. Chitaranjan Tripathy, VC - Sambalpur University and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT), Odisha

Dr. Chitaranjan Tripathy was the Vice Chancellor of Sambalpur University and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT), Odisha. Dr. Tripathy got his M.Tech degree in Instrumentation and Ph.D. degree in Computer Engg from I.I.T, Kharagpur in 1989, 1997 respectively. His current research interests are in the areas of Parallel Computing, Networking, Multiprocessor Architectures, Parallel and Distributed Processing, Performance Evaluation, Cloud Computing, Reliability and Fault tolerance. He has published more than 100 papers in these areas in many revered conferences and reputed journals including Elsevier and Springer. Multiple scholars have been awarded with Ph.D under the active guidance and supervision of Prof. Tripathy. Prof. Tripathy was the recipient of MHRD, Govt of India fellowships for higher studies (1993-96, 1987-89), and National Scholarships (1976-1983).
Dr. Tripathy is a Life Member of Indian Society for Technical Education, Instrument Society of India and Orissa Information Technology Society. He is also a Fellow, Institution of Engineers (India). He has received worldwide recognition for his commendable contribution to the field of research. He was awarded with "Sir Thomas Ward Memorial Award and Medal in 1998 for his research contributions in parallel computing. He has served as the Chairman of many Academic bodies and Administrative Committees at the National and State level .

Brigadier (Dr.) L C Patnaik, Former Chairman, Odisha Public Service Commission

Brigadier (Dr.) L C Patnaik, Former Chairman, Odisha Public Service Commission is a decorated Infantry Officer with services in Indian Army, Ministries of Defence, External Affairs , Home and Public Service Commission. He has extensive frontline experience in multi-dimensional warfare, conflict management, UN Peace Keeping operations, military diplomacy and international disaster management. His key operational commands include Line of Control in Kashmir , Siachen glacier and Indo- China border . He was India’s Defence Advisor at the Embassy of India, Tehran (Iran) and Member of the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan . He has a unique and singular distinction in the country to have been the Chairpersons of a State Public Service Commission and Defence Services Selection Board. He also served as a Members of Central Pay Commission(6th) and Commmonwealth Games Organising Committee.
Brigadier Patnaik has immense contribution in education and talent management in the Govt, Defence, Academic Institutions and corporate sector. He has been a Professor at IIT, Bhubaneswar and graded Instructor at Army War College and Indian Military Academy. He has been Head of Faculty at Pre- Defence Services Staff College and Infantry School. He is presently associated as Professor Emeritus at Rashtriya Raksha University, Ahmedabad and Indraprastha University at New Delhi. He remains on the Board of Governors of many Institutions, notably, Bharatiya Vidya Bhaban, NIDM and others. Brig L C Patnaik is an accomplished academician with a Ph D in International Strategy, Masters in Defence Studies, Psychology, International Relations and Business Administration . He has contributed immensely in many international and national journals of repute. He was a national basketball player and a keen golfer.

GOVERNING BODY

Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra

Chairman

Prof. Pratosh Bansal

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV)
Indore, UGC Nominee

Prof. Manas Ranjan Kabat

Principal, IMIT

Dr. Ranjan Kumar Swain

Principal, PMEC
State Govt. Nominee

Mr. Bimal K Mishra

Member

Mrs. Sanjeeta Mohapatra

Member

Dr. Sachidananda Prasad

Member

Dr. Akankshya Patnaik

Member

Dr. P. Rajesh Kumar

Principal, NIST
Ex-Officio - Convenor

THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Guided by the Founder Chairman of the institute, Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra, the leadership team represent diverse functions, and are committed to collaboratively serve significant organizational purpose for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. They bring together and lead staff and faculty and ensure aligned action.

Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra, Chairman

PhD (Computer Science): Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ, USA
MS (Computer Science): University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA, USA
B.Sc Engg. (Hons.): National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India

Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra is the founder chairman of the Trust prompting NIST and NIST Governing Body since its inception in 1995. Dr. Mohapatra has over 30 years of professional experience with leadership positions in applied research, technology strategy, and business development in telecommunications industry. He has worked in leadership positions at AT&T, Lucent Technologies - Bell Laboratories and Ericsson as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). His work area and research interest include: Next Generation Networks, 5G and Future Communication, Multi-service Network Management, Network Planning and Optimization, Network Virtualization (NFV/SDN), Cloud Computing, Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), Internet of Things (IoT) and Computer Vision/Edge Analytics/Immersive X-Reality applications. He has published extensively in the areas of data networking, network management, optimization, congestion control, network virtualization and Internet of Things (IoT) in refereed journals and conferences.
Dr. Mohapatra has taught graduate programs at Rutgers University, NJ, USA. He is recipient of multiple awards and recognitions for his seminal contribution in research, technology and leadership, including prestigious DMTS award at Bell Laboratories, Strathmore World's Who's Who, Distinguished Alumni Award from NIT Rourkela, Distinguished Odia Award by OSA, USA and Sir Visvesvaraya Award by Engineers Forum. He is a senior member of IEEE and has been an invited speaker at various conferences and forums around the globe.

Dr. P. Rajesh Kumar, Principal

Dr. Panakala Rajesh Kumar is a seasoned professional with a cumulative experience of 23 years in the field of academia. As a Professor, he has made significant contributions to the domains of VLSI Design and Robotics. His academic journey includes a Master's in Digital System Engineering and a Ph.D. from the prestigious IIT Madras.Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Rajesh Kumar has been actively involved in teaching and research. His expertise is reflected in his extensive publication record, showcasing his involvement in cutting-edge research. Notable publications include works on medical image fusion using convolutional neural networks, comparative analysis of conventional and deep learning image fusion methods, and the design of a wide-band blade monopole antenna, among others. In recognition of his scholarly achievements, Dr. Rajesh Kumar has received several awards and honors. These include the Best Labview Academy Award from National Instruments in 2017, the Best Paper Award for his research on the Person Follower Robotic System at the International Conference on Control, Instrumentation, Communication and Computational Technologies in 2014, and the Best Teacher award from JNTU Kakinada in the academic year 2010-11.Under his mentorship, projects like the "E-Stick for Blind and Deaf" won accolades, securing the consolation prize in the Imagine Cup-2010 Accessibility. Dr. Rajesh Kumar's commitment to education is further exemplified by the IIT Madras scholarship he received for his Ph.D. work. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Rajesh Kumar has actively participated in various workshops, seminars, conferences, and training programs. His engagement in conferences includes presenting papers on topics such as reconfigurable service robots, robotic systems using fuzzy logic for person following, and novel approaches in the implementation of robot path planning using parallel processing algorithms.
Overall, Dr. Panakala Rajesh Kumar stands as a distinguished academician and researcher, contributing significantly to the fields of VLSI Design and Robotics. His wealth of experience, coupled with a remarkable publication record and numerous awards, positions him as a respected figure in the academic community.

Dr.Bishnukar Nayak ,Vice-Principal

Dr. Bishnukar Nayak, an esteemed academician and Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at NIST (Autonomous), Berhampur, serves as the Vice-Principal. Holding a Ph.D. from Berhampur University, Dr. Nayak boasts an exceptional academic journey, achieving first-class honors in both his master's and bachelor's degrees. With a profound interest in cosmology, Dr. Nayak has made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, publishing 14 research papers across various disciplines. As a life member of the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) and the Odisha Mathematical Society, he actively participates in academic communities.Dr. Nayak's dedication extends beyond research to administrative and academic roles. He has served as a batch coordinator, course coordinator, Head of the Department of Mathematics, and Vice Principal, playing a pivotal role in shaping the academic landscape at NIST. With over 14 years of teaching experience.His influence reaches beyond NIST, as Dr. Nayak contributes to the broader academic community by serving on various boards of studies for universities and autonomous colleges. His research focus on cosmology and the general theory of relativity showcases a commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge.
In summary, Dr. Bishnukar Nayak is a dedicated scholar, educator, and administrator with a profound impact on cosmology and mathematics. His multifaceted roles and extensive involvement in research and administration reflect a deep passion for advancing education and exploring the mysteries of the universe

Mr. Sayad Suleman Ali, Head of HR and Administration

Mr. Sayad Suleman Ali is a graduate of NIT, Rourkela. He started his professional career with Engineers India Limited (EIL), New Delhi. Consequent upon his selection in the OPSC, he joined the Works Department, Government of Odisha. On deputation, he has also worked in many other Government undertakings such as Odisha Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd., and Odisha Police Housing and Welfare Corporation Ltd. in various leadership capacities and positions.
He is a chartered engineer and life member of the Institution of Engineers (India), the Indian Geotechnical Society, the Indian Roads Congress, and the American Concrete Institute (Maharashtra Chapter). He has attended and actively participated in various National and International Conferences, such as: International Conference in Piling and Deep Foundation and the International Conference on Sustainable Constructions. Mr. Ali has the distinction of creating the first underground market complex in Odisha at Bhubaneswar. He has won many awards and recognition from Government and other organizations for his excellence in leadership and technical contributions.

Dr. Sabyasachi Rath, Dean, College of Management & Liberal Arts

A Post Graduate in Business Management and English Literature as well, Dr.Rath is a multifaceted personality having 30 years of versatile experience and exposure in Industry, Management Education and Research, Corporate Training, Business Consulting, Writing and Publishing. He served as Sales Manager in corporate like Shaw Wallace, Kwality Walls ,Premier Automobiles Ltd ( FIAT) and Hindustan Motors ( Mitsubishi Lancer Division) before joining Academics.
Dr. Rath has worked in Leadership positions as Dean and Director in various Management institutions and B-schools in India. He was the Chairperson of AIMS, Telangana chapter. As a Key Note speaker and Chief Guest, Prof. Rath has delivered invited talks on multiple subjects in International and National Programs. As an avid researcher he has worked on multiple national and international Research projects and has published 35 articles in journals of repute and presented 75 research papers in various National and International Conferences, including one Best Research Paper Award. He is the Editorial Board Member of International Journal ASHUES – Annals of Spiru Haret University. Economic Series, Spiru Haret University Bucharest, Romania. Dr. Sabyasachi is also the Chief-Editor of Business Magazine “The Marketing Guru”. He has authored two poetry books, one in Odiya and the other one is in Hindi. A sought after corporate trainer, in Sales, Marketing communication, Business strategy, Professor Sabyasachi has trained hundreds of corporate executives from various corporate like Indian Airlines, ONGC, I&R, Aditya Birla, Zicom, IVRCL Infra , Avons Tyres & Tubes and many more.
Dr. Rath has Hosted, Scripted and Directed 30 Television and Radio Programs on different Management subjects like Personal Branding, Design thinking, Buying Behaviour, to name a few. A Quiz Show Host for UGC Program for Doordarshan Prof. Sabyasachi has presented Expert talks in many TV programs of DD saptagiri, CVR TV, Vyas TV etc. His program on Personal Branding was nominated as a Value Added Program. He is a Mentor for IIM Sambalpur Startup Incubation Centre. As a Mentor Dr. Sabyasachi has guided and supported multiple start-ups in Hyderabad like Byndr, Laalsa. Zetagile, MarkPro, Organic Thali , SOS Bio-Tech and many more. He is also the Chief Mentor to Few Tech Startups like, ADMI, GAIIP and Brugu Technologies. As a person Prof. Rath is passionate about Social Service and has been co-founder of NGOs like Diganta School for Special Children and 3S Foundation. Dr. Sabyasachi’s personal interest lies in Poetry, Music, Travelling and Professional Networking .