Prof. S. Ramachandran
Vice Chancellor, Hindustan University, Chennai

Prof. S. Ramachandran is currently serving as Vice Chancellor at Hindustan University, Chennai. Prior to this he has served as a Vice Chancellor in University of Madras (2006 – 2009) and Vels University (2009 – 2013). He received his first Ph.D. in Marine Science in the year 1981; he was then awarded a National Scholarship for studies abroad by the Government of India. He studied in the University of Miami, Florida, during 1981 – 1985 where he earned his second Ph.D. in the field of Biological Oceanography. He joined the Center for Water Resources and Ocean management, Department of Civil Engineering, Anna University, Chennai in the year 1986 as Assistant Professor and served Anna University for 20 Years in various capacities such as Professor & Director. He earned his D.Sc. in the field of Coastal Studies from the University of Madras.

He took several initiatives in the field of coastal management and was entrusted with several important tasks under various ambitious national programmes such as National Oceanographic Information System (NOIS), Marine Remote Sensing Satellite Information System (MARSIS), Coastal Zone Information System (CZIS) etc. funded by Department of Ocean Development, Government of India during early 1990s. Under his dynamic leadership along with a group of young scholars in his team he took the above initiatives over a period of ten years, which helped him to establish an autonomous Institute of Ocean Management in Anna University in 1998. He was the founder and first director of this institute during 1998-2005. Prof. S. Ramachandran has also served as the Director of Research at Anna University.

Prof. Ramachandran has made more than 50 academic visits to various institutions in abroad during 1990 – 2010 especially to implement several international collaborations in the field of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), higher education and research. As a Course Director of the UK Department for International Development ICZM training and capacity building programme he has made tremendous contributions in implementing ICZM programmes in India. He took serious attempts in the preparation of science based people-centered coastal management plans for all important “hot Spots” along Indian coast including the Andaman & Nicobar group of Islands. As an Expert Member in more than 45 National Committees he has made significant contributions in strengthening the implementation of ICZM for Indian coastal zone in all levels. He has initiated research in areas of every day application and has accorded priority to many modern disciplines such as Coastal Zone Management, Port and Harbour Management, Coastal Ocean Studies, Environmental Studies, Disaster Management etc. Prof. Ramachandran has published more than 285 research papers, edited 11 books; guided 28 Ph.D’s and completed 52 research projects with a funding support of about 200 million Indian Rupees.

Dr. Ramachandran resuscitated the academic and research focus in the universities he served. He has more than 35 years of experience in higher education administration and research. He has established several research centres and academic departments in the universities he served.

He has received more than 27 International fellowships, and 7 National and International awards including the Italian government’s highest civilian honour and medal, ‘Stella Della Solidarieta Italiana’, the Cavalliea’ award.

Dr. Pandit Vidyasagar
Vice Chancellor, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded

Dr. Pandit Bhalchandra Vidyasagar is a well-known Educationist and Educational Administrator at State and National level. His research contributions have been acknowledged at International level in the field of Bio-physics. Former Professor and Head of the Physics Department, Savitribai Phule Pune University has extensively contributed to the upliftment of higher education through his writing, participation in policy making and working on various committees at state and national level. He has worked on many important posts and also chaired committees’ set-up by UGC, State Government and University. He has earned many accolades for his significant contributions in education, research and science popularization. He has worked as a Director, Board of College and University Development, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune and Acting Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad. Presently he is working as a Vice-Chancellor of Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, Maharashtra.

Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan
Director, T A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal

Professor Veeraraghavan has published over 50 papers in international journals and has presented his work in top conferences in finance and accounting. His work has appeared in The Accounting Review, Contemporary Accounting Research, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Journal of Corporate Finance, Journal of Empirical Finance, Journal of Banking and Finance and AUDITING: A Journal of Practice and Theory. His research interests are in the areas of Corporate Finance, Behavioural Finance and the interplay between Auditing and Finance.