Honorary Advisor Vivekanandha Educational Institutions

Prof.Dr.D.Viswanathan did his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Annamalai University, Master’s Degree in Production Engineering at the College of Engineering, Guindy, University of Madras. He obtained his Ph.D. from I.I.T. Madras in the field of Metal forming (Mechanical Metallurgy).During his Ph.D. Programme he worked on Trissule Missile Project, which was sponsored by His Excellency Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the then Director of DRDL in 1984.

The project was successfully completed under the guidance of Professor K.A. Padmanabhan, Former Director of IIT, Kanpur and these technologies namely “Technology of Superplastically formed hemispheres of Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V for potential application in the formation of Air bottles for flight vehicle applications- Trissule Missile of Indian Defence” were transferred to HAL, DRDL and ISRO for the production of aircraft, rocket and missile components. Through his work for the development of missiles and rocket components he was awarded THREE INDIAN PATENTS.

D. Viswanathan has closely associated for his research and development with DRDO, HAL, Atomic Research Centers, ISRO, RRL, DMRL and many leading industries. The Superplastic Forming Technology developed by Dr. D.Viswanathan was an unique and the same was implemented for the production of missile, rocket and aircraft components which resulted in substantial savings of foreign exchange, as it was an import substitution. He has guided five Ph.D. scholars in the field of Mechanical Engineering and Media Technology. He has published more than 50 National and International research publications. He also worked as Director of Audio Visual Research Centre and Director of Centre for Educational Media Technologies and he has produced more than 100 educational television programmes for the countrywide classroom programme broadcasted by UGC in Dhoordharshan, New Delhi. His vast experience of teaching helped him to introduce several innovative courses in the field of Electronic Media, which have become useful and attractive from the career point of view of students. Dr. D.Viswanathan was instrumental to start the new department namely “Department of Media Sciences” in Anna University in the year 2001. He started the following Electronic Media programmes in Anna University for the FIRST TIME IN INDIA - i) B.Sc. Electronic Media ii) M.Sc. Electronic Media (5 Years Integrated).

He has teaching and research experience of spanning over 32 years in Anna University. Starting from a modest career as a lecturer in mechanical engineering, he rose to the highest position of Vice-Chancellor of Anna University. Dr. D. Viswanathan was appointed as the seventh Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai by the Chancellor and Governor of Tamil Nadu on 24.6.2005 for a period of three years. All Engineering Colleges in Tamilnadu state were affiliated with Anna University.

As a Vice-Chancellor, Dr. D. Viswanathan started the following undergraduate and post graduate programmes in Engineering & Technology disciplines. 1. B.E. Materials Science and Engineering 2. B.E. Agriculture and Irrigation Engineering 3. B.E. Bio Medical Engineering 4. B.Tech. Apparel Technology 5. M.E. Manufacturing Systems Management. 6. M.E. Bio Medical Engineering, 7.M.E. Integrated Water Resource Management. 8. M.Tech. Coastal Management (Rs.4.80 crores frunded by Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India. 9. M.Tech. Nano Science and Technology (Rs.4.50 crores funded by DST, Govt. of India. 10. M.Tech. Food Technology (Rs.7.50 crores funded by Dept. of Bio Technology, Govt. of India).

Prof. Viswanathan took keen interest in promoting research activities on par with International Universities. He signed memorandum of understanding with 50 International Universities across the globe namely USA, UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norvey, Italy, Sweden, Russia, China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, Newzeland, etc. for research collaboration & students, faculty exchange programmes. He also signed MoU with leading 25 Multi-National Companies like Microsoft, USA, IBM, British Broad Casting Corporation, Flextronics, Helmholtz Association of Germany on Energy Research, Altera International Limited, Hong Kong, Renesas Technology, Singapore and many other industries.

Dr. Viswanathan, started new Advanced Research Centers like Centre for Technology Development and Transfer, Centre for Distance Education, Centre for Nano science and Technology, Information and Communication park in Collaboration with CDAC, Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Research, Centre for Intellectual Property Rights, Centre for International Affairs, Centre for Catalysis and Petroleum Technology, Knowledge Data Centre, Digital Knowledge Centre, Centre with Potential for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, and AU-KNU Research Institute for Synergy Technology.

Anna University has established Tamilnadu’s First Interactive Satellite terminal under Ku band of EDUSAT for the purpose of online teaching and learning by all the Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu. ANUSAT was developed by Anna University and successfully launched by ISRO.

During his tenure, Anna University has achieved the NUMBER ONE RANK among the Universities in the country. Anna University produced highest number of International Publications and Ph.Ds. compared to any Technical University and Institutions in the country. Anna University received more than Rs.100 crores as research grant from national and international agencies. Anna University is the First University in the country certified as “Tobacco Free Campus”.

• Dress code & Prohibition of Mobile phones was implemented in all the Engineering Colleges in Tamilnadu
• University Finance position was increased from Rs.75 crores to Rs.400 crores during his tenure.
• Dr. D. Viswanathan, served as Chairman of the Southern Regional Committee, AICTE for a period of three years and also Chairman of the TNEA, and TNPCEE.
• Dr. D. Viswanathan, has served as Member of many committees nominated by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu and also served as
  • Deputy Chairman of the UICEE Academic Advisory Committee nominated by UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education
  • National Advisory Committee of DST-NSF Sponsored Advanced Study Institute on Nano scale Science and Engineering.

Dr. D. Viswanathan received the most distinguished award namely “OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF ACADEMIC PALMS” conferred by the Prime Minister of French Republic for his contribution in the field of Education Internationally. This honour is for his contributions to the University Education, intellectual development, created international research Collaborations and exchange programmes. He has visited more than 100 international Universities including 20 Universities in France and signed MOU with 50 International Universities. He interacted with French University Professors & Scientists and signed MOU with them. This is the highest Civil Distinction award of France.

He received the most prestigious “International Socrates Award” from the European Business Assembly, UK at the famous Oxford Hall and this award was conferred on him for his outstanding achievements in excellence in technical education and research, remarkable reputation and successful professional achievements. He is the first Indian to receive this award.

He was awarded as “Colonel Commandant of NCC”, by the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India.

He is a celebrated member of Professional Bodies such as Fellow of Institute of Engineers (India), Indian Institute of Metals, Indian Society for Technical Education, Indian Institute of Plant Engineers, Fellow of Institute of Non-destructive Testing etc.

He is an erudite and renowned academic scholar, a high profile scientist researcher, an able administrator, a pragmatic policy maker, a great visionary and a socially conscious innovator.