'Deeply honoured': Chennai-born professor Anantha Chandrakasan appointed MIT provost, becomes first Indian-American in the role
NEW DELHI: Chennai-born Prof Anantha Chandrakasan has been named the next provost of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), becoming the first Indian-American to hold the key leadership position at the prestigious US institution.
He will assume charge on July 1.
Chandrakasan, currently MIT's chief innovation and strategy officer and dean of engineering, was selected from among several top internal candidates. MIT President Sally Kornbluth praised his 'exceptional record of shaping and leading important innovations for the Institute.'
The provost is MIT's chief academic and budget officer, overseeing all academic programs, faculty affairs, strategic planning, and affiliated units, while leading a team of vice provosts responsible for areas ranging from the arts to international engagement.
'I am deeply honoured to take on the role of provost,' Chandrakasan said in a statement issued by MIT. 'Looking ahead, I see myself as a key facilitator, enabling faculty, students, postdocs, and staff to continue making extraordinary contributions to the nation and the world.'
Kornbluth said Chandrakasan takes over the role at a 'perilous' time for the institute, amid growing uncertainty over federal support for research, education, and international talent retention.
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'In a time of such intense pressure and potentially historic change, I am particularly grateful that we will be able to draw on Anantha's depth and breadth of experience; his nimbleness, entrepreneurial spirit and boundless energy; his remarkable record in raising funds from outside sources for important ideas; and his profound commitment to MIT's mission,' she said.
The Consulate General of India in New York congratulated Chandrakasan on his appointment, noting his significant contributions to US-India collaboration in R&D.
'A distinguished academic and leader, Prof Chandrakasan has remained a strong advocate of India-USA technological & R&D collaboration; has been working with various Indian government and private sector stakeholders towards this objective. We wish him all success in this important responsibility,' the Consulate said.
Chandrakasan has served as MIT's dean of engineering since 2017 and was appointed as the institute's inaugural chief innovation and strategy officer in 2024.
Prior to that, he led MIT's largest academic department — Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) — for six years. He also directed the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) from 2006 to 2011.
Kornbluth, who appointed him as the first CISO, described him as someone with a 'can-do attitude, creativity, enthusiasm, strategic insight, fluency across a wide range of subject areas, and gift for engaging industry allies and donors.'
Chandrakasan will succeed Cynthia Barnhart, who announced her decision to step down earlier this year.
As provost, he will focus on three major priorities: long-term financial and institutional planning, attracting and retaining top talent, and enhancing interdisciplinary research, education, and entrepreneurship.
'Recognising that each school and other academic units operate within a unique context, I plan to engage deeply with their leaders to understand their challenges and aspirations.
This will help me refine and set the priorities for the Office of the Provost,' Chandrakasan said.
He also announced plans to establish advisory groups comprising faculty, students, postdocs, and external stakeholders to inform his decisions.
'There is a tremendous opportunity for MIT to be at the centre of the innovations in areas where the United States wants to lead. It's about AI. It's about semiconductors. It's about quantum, biosecurity and biomanufacturing space — but not only that,' Chandrakasan said.
'We need students who can do more than just code or design or build. We really need students who understand the human perspective and human insights. This is why collaborations between STEM fields and the humanities, arts and social sciences, such as through the new MIT Human Insights Collaborative, are so important,' he added.
Chandrakasan holds a BS, MS, and PhD in electrical engineering and computer sciences from the University of California, Berkeley.
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