Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 1: Sai University, Chennai, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to research, innovation, and transformative learning by appointing globally acclaimed scientist Prof. Ajith Abraham as its Vice Chancellor. Prof. Abraham, ranked consistently among the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University and Elsevier for both career-long contributions and annual research achievements since the list was established, brings with him a wealth of global academic experience and research leadership that will further elevate Sai University’s stature on the world stage.

The Centrality of Research at Sai University

At Sai University, research is not an isolated pursuit but the very foundation of academic excellence. The University’s vision is “To be an internationally recognized University known for excellence in transformative liberal education, pioneering research, innovation, and ethical leadership, all while cultivating a deep commitment to social impact in a diverse and interconnected world.”

This vision drives Sai University to foster cutting-edge scholarship that transcends disciplinary boundaries. With interdisciplinary programs across eight schools: Artificial Intelligence, Law, Business, Media, Arts & Sciences, Technology, Computing & Data Science, and Allied Health Sciences — the University ensures that students and faculty collaborate on real-world problems, pioneering solutions that combine technological advancement with social responsibility.

Distinguished Faculty: The University’s Core Strength

Sai University’s greatest asset lies in the quality of its faculty. Nearly 70% of Sai University faculty members hold a Ph.D. and/or post-doctoral training from top universities outside India. With distinguished academics drawn from institutions such as Stanford, Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia, Monash, Warwick, and others, the University cultivates a truly global learning environment. This academic strength nurtures intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and experiential learning. Students are exposed to diverse perspectives and innovative teaching methods, preparing them to become industry-ready graduates with entrepreneurial mindsets.

A Global Campus with a Social Mission

Spread across a 103-acre vibrant campus in Chennai, Sai University is home to a thriving academic community guided by a board of eminent global leaders in business, academia, and government. The University emphasizes experiential learning, equipping students not just with degrees, but with the mindset and skills to make meaningful contributions in a complex and interconnected world. True to its ethos of social impact, through the Sri Sai Trust, the University extends its mission beyond academics by providing thousands of scholarships to first-generation graduates; supporting emergency medical care and delivering free meals to underserved communities across India.

This unique blend of world-class academics and deep social commitment makes Sai University an institution that not only produces graduates but also nurtures responsible leaders for society.

Prof. Ajith Abraham: A Scholar of Global Standing

The appointment of Prof. Abraham as Vice Chancellor marks a pivotal moment in Sai University’s journey toward becoming a global leader in research and education. He has contributed over 1,500+ research publications and books, many translated into multiple languages including Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. An H-index exceeding 122 and 67000+ citations, reflecting the far-reaching influence of his work. He was the Principal Investigator or co-investigator on projects amounting to over US$110+ million, funded by agencies across the United States, European Union, Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain, France, Norway, Italy, Australia, Malaysia, China, and Russia. Breakthrough research in medical image analysis, predictive modeling for neurological disorders, and explainable AI for biomarker discovery in cancer diagnosis. Co-founder of DetectIQ, an AI based oncology predictive analytics startup for detecting cancer outbreaks. Served as Chief Editor of Elsevier’s journal Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence and as Chair of the IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society Technical Committee on Soft Computing. His career exemplifies the seamless integration of pioneering research with academic leadership, making him uniquely positioned to guide Sai University into its next phase of growth.

Under Visionary Leadership

Under the guidance of its Honorable Chancellor, Shri K.V. Ramani, Sai University continues to uphold its values of academic excellence, social responsibility, and transformative education. The Chancellor’s vision for creating a globally recognized institution aligns perfectly with Prof. Abraham’s expertise in fostering research ecosystems that address pressing societal challenges.

Together, their leadership ensures that Sai University will not only contribute to advancing knowledge but also translate research into tangible social and economic impact.

“I am honoured to lead Sai University at a time when research is central to the mission of higher education. With a committed faculty, students, and global partnerships, we shall strive for excellence, innovation and impact,” said Prof. Ajith Abraham, Vice Chancellor, Sai University.

About Sai University

Sai University is a next-generation private university in Chennai, India, offering interdisciplinary programs across eight schools. With an excellent faculty, a global outlook, and a deep commitment to social impact, Sai University is building a transformative model of higher education for the 21st century.

Media Contact

Sai University, One Hub Road, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Paiyanur, Tamil Nadu, Chennai – 603104

Email: comms@saiuniversity.edu.in

Phone: 044 7143 7200

Website: https://www.saiuniversity.edu.in/

Garuda Aerospace introduces Equality Drone Training program to empower 10 persons with disabilities Present at the launch of this initiative are Varsha Kukreti Augustine, Founder and CEO of AutoMicroUAS, and Dr. MJ Augustine Vinod, Group Captain (Retd), Garuda space Executive Director Mr. Vijaykumar, Garuda space Cheif Operating Officer Mr. Shyam kumar.

National Garuda Aerospace, India’s leading drone manufacturer, continues to spearhead category growth by creating a safe, transparent and trustworthy drone ecosystem in India. In a bid to strengthen its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives, Garuda Aerospace is now launching its Equality Drone Training program specifically designed for persons with disabilities. The program will provide free-of-cost training, education, and skill development over a span of 10 days to persons with disabilities, kickstarting in Chennai. Present at the launch of this initiative are Varsha Kukreti Augustine, Founder and CEO of AutoMicroUAS, and Dr. MJ Augustine Vinod, Group Captain (Retd).

Garuda Aerospace’s Equality Drone Training program is designed to train individuals with physical disabilities including deafness, speech impairments, and mobility constraints. The programme with theory and practical sessions will cover aspects across both, maintenance and operation including data analysis. The program spans utilisation of drones across agriculture, surveillance and mapping, and e-commerce and delivery, thus equipping participants with skills required across a range of industries. The training is tailored to individuals depending on their disability to further empower them.

“Drone technology is becoming an integral part of businesses across categories. The need for drone pilots is now more pressing than ever. Garuda Aerospace has always been at the forefront of identifying and training new talent and consistently creating opportunities for youth to become independent. More importantly, further strengthening our DE&I outlook, our new training program is designed to skill and upskill persons with disabilities; it empowers youth with a need of the hour skill set. We are proud to be an enabler on their journey of self-reliance and financial independence. We have already welcomed 10 persons from Chennai and will soon begin rolling the program out across India with an aim to skill at least 10,000 persons by 2025.” said Mr. Vijay kumar, Executive Director of Garuda Aerospace.

“It has been a fantastic journey providing drone exposure to students with special needs since 2015. Creating an inclusive learning environment is crucial to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to learn and explore their potential. By offering drone training to students with special needs, Integrated Drone Training Academy (IDTA) provides them with a unique and exciting learning experience and empowers them to become competent creators and contributors in the drone ecosystem. This inclusive approach helps break down barriers and promotes the idea that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can actively participate and excel in various fields. I am proud of how IDTA has shaped and continues to provide opportunities for students with special needs to explore their interests and talents in the world of drones.” said, Varsha Kukreti Augustine, Founder and CEO of AutoMicroUAS.