MOTIVATION

One of the essential elements of the education process is taking up sponsored research activities by the University teaching staff. The sponsored research programmes definitely stimulate the intellect, add to the laboratory capability, bring people in contact with peers in R&D/industry, result in peer recognition, provide opportunity for National/International contacts, collaboration, Conference presentations/Journal Publications and finally help in training and placement of students also.

BACKGROUND

Having a great faith on this, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam , the then Scientific Advisor to Defense Ministry and as the chief of DRDO, granted Rs.30 Lakhs in the beginning of the year 2000, as corpus fund and established the “Prof. K A V Pandalai Memorial AR & DB Chair”. Eminent Scientist / Personalities from Aerospace Industry would be invited to take the position as chair Professor to take care of the activities who would get an honorarium from the interest earned from the above corpus fund.

The Chair came into existence since February 2000 with a corpus fund of Rs. 30. Lakhs.

Prof. Rajaram Nagappa, former Associate Director, VSSC , Thiruvananthapuram took over as the first Chairperson in July 2000 and occupied the chair till January 2007.

OBJECTIVE

• To enhance research activities in the department.
• To promote inter disciplinary research activities in the university.
• To provide a forum for academic exchange programmes.
• To provide liaison with research laboratories in specialized areas.