ABOUT US

BOARD OF GOVERNERS

Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra

President

Mrs. Sanjeeta Mohapatra

Vice President

Prof. (Dr) Priyadarsan Patra

Vice Chancellor

Member, Statutory

Prof. Pratosh Bansal


Trust Nominee

Mr. Bimal K Mishra


Trust Nominee

Mr. Anurag Agarwal


Trust Nominee

Mr. Pranoy Mohapatra

Trust Nominee

Dr. Bishnu Prasad Nanda

Trust Nominee

Shri Purna Chandar Sethy, MLA

OLA Nominee

Sri Manoranjan Dyan Samantara, MLA

OLA Nominee

Shri Ranjan Kumar Jena

President Nominee

Dr. Manas R. Patra

President Nominee

Dr. Simanchalo Panigrahi

President Nominee

Dr. Bishnukar Nayak

Secretary, Ex-Offcio (Statutory)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

(Founder Trustees)

The National Institute of Science and Technology is promoted by SM Charitable Educational Trust (SMCET). The Trust was established in 1995 by Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra and Mrs. Sanjeeta Mohapatra (both are NRIs based in US) as Founder/Donor Trustees. The primary objective of the Trust is to establish and develop center of academic excellence, research, and innovation at par with reputed international universities in founder's home state of Odisha.

The Board of Trustees are highly accomplished academicians and technocrats educated in top institutes of India and abroad. Brief profiles of trustees are as follow:

Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra, Chairman

Dr. Sukant K. Mohapatra is the founder chairman of the Trust prompting NIST and chairman of the Board of Governors (BoG) of the NIST University, Institute Park, Odisha, India. Dr. Mohapatra is an alumni of NIT, Rourkela and has MS & PhD Degree in Computer Science from USA.
Dr. Mohapatra has over 35 years of professional experience in leadership positions, leading applied research, technology strategy, and business development in the telecommunications industry in the USA. He has worked in leadership positions at AT&T, Lucent Technologies - Bell Laboratories and Ericsson as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). His work area and research interest include: 5G and Future Communication, Network Virtualization, Cloud Computing, Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), Internet of Things (IoT) and applications in Computer Vision/Edge Analytics/Immersive X-Reality domain. He has published extensively in the areas of data networking, network management, congestion control, network virtualization and Internet of Things (IoT) in refereed journals and conferences.
Dr. Mohapatra has taught graduate programs at Rutgers University, NJ, USA. He is the recipient of multiple honors and awards for his seminal contribution in research, technology and leadership. He is recipient of prestigious DMTS award at Bell Laboratories, Strathmore World's Who's Who, Distinguished Alumni Award from NIT Rourkela, Distinguished Odia Award by OSA, USA and Sir Visvesvaraya Award by the Engineers Forum. He is the life senior member of IEEE and has been an invited speaker in various conferences and forums around the globe.

Mrs. Sanjeeta Mohapatra, Member

Mrs. Sanjeeta Mohapatra is the founder/donor member of SM Charitable Educational Trust promoting NIST. She serves as the Vice-President of NIST University, Institute Park, Odisha, India. She is an alumni of Delhi School of Economics, New Delhi and graduate of the State University of New York (SUNY), USA with MS degree in Computer Science.
Ms. Mohapatra has over 25 years of experience, primarily in the telecommunications industry. She has worked for Lucent Technologies, IBM, and AT&T in the USA. Her work interest primarily includes systems architecture and engineering for management of next generation networks. She is recipient of multiple awards and honors including AT&T Software Excellence Award for her contribution in computing and communications. She holds patents on software systems and algorithms.

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Prof. Prasant Mohapatra, Provost and Executive VP for Academics Affair,University of South Florida,USA

Dr. Prasant Mohapatra is the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs for the University of South Florida (USF, USA). Before joining USF in 2023, Dr. Mohapatra was the Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of California, Davis (UC, Davis). He was also a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science and served as the Dean and Vice-Provost of Graduate Studies at the University of California, Davis, from 2016 to 2018. He served as an Associate Chancellor from 2014 to 2016 and the Interim Vice-Provost and CIO of UC Davis from 2013 to 2014. Prior to University of California, Dr. Mohapatra has been on the faculty at Iowa State University and Michigan State University. He also held Visiting Scientist positions at Intel Corporation, Panasonic Technologies, Institute of Infocomm Research (I2R), Singapore, and National ICT Australia (NICTA). He has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Padova, Italy and Yonsei University, and KAIST, South Korea.
Dr. Mohapatra was the editor-in-chief of the "IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing." He has served on the editorial board of the "IEEE Transactions on Computers," "IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing," "IEEE Transaction on Parallel and Distributed Systems," ACM WINET, and Ad Hoc Networks.
Dr. Mohapatra has received his doctoral degree from Penn State University in 1993, and received an Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award in 2008. He is also the recipient of Distinguished Alumnus Award from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India.

Prof. Chitta Baral, Professor, Arizona State University (ASU), USA

Prof. Chitta Baral is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology (B.Tech, 1987) and University of Maryland (MS, Computer Science, 1990; PhD, 1991). Dr. Chitta Baral is a professor in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU), USA. He is also the chair of the graduate program in computer science. Prior to ASU, he served as an assistant and associate professor with the University of Texas at El Paso (Sept 1991 - August 1999).
He directs the laboratory of Cognition and Intelligence at ASU. His expertise includes bioinformatics knowledge representation, reasoning and declarative problem solving, and a systematic approach to designing and analyzing autonomous agents. His current research focus in on cognition and intelligence; in particular on understanding natural language, visual objects, and multi-modal documents; using knowledge in that understanding; and applying that understanding to cybersecurity, robotics and biological and health sciences.
He is the author of the book "Knowledge Representation, Reasoning and Declarative Problem Solving" published by Cambridge University Press and has been an Associate Editor of Journal of AI Research and the AI Journal, among the two top journals in the field of AI. He is a member of AAAI, the Association for the Advancement of AI and has published regularly in the annual conferences of AAAI.

Prof. Arun K Pujari, Former VC, Central University of Rajasthan

Prof. Arun K. Pujari is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Hyderabad. He is the former Vice Chancellor at Central University of Rajasthan. Previously he had also served at Automated Cartography Cell, Survey of India, and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
He has received PhD from IIT Kanpur and MSc from Sambalpur University. He had taught in several national institutions for over 35 years during which he had also designed and developed several new courses in Database, Theory of Computation, Computer Vision, Computational Geometry, Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Based Optimization Techniques, Knowledge Representation & Reasoning, Machine Learning, Data Mining & Data Warehousing, Neural Networks, GIS and Bioinformatics.
He was a member of high-level bodies such as UGC, DST, DRDO, ISRO and AICTE. He has guided 20 doctoral students and published in 31 journals and 48 refereed conferences. He frequently visits USA, France, Australia, Macau, and Japan as a visiting professor.

Prof. Chitaranjan Tripathy, Former VC, Sambalpur University and BPUT, Odisha

Dr. Chitaranjan Tripathy was the Vice Chancellor of Sambalpur University and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT), Odisha. Dr. Tripathy got his M.Tech degree in Instrumentation and Ph.D. degree in Computer Engg from I.I.T, Kharagpur in 1989, 1997 respectively. Prof. Tripathy was the recipient of MHRD, Govt of India fellowships for higher studies (1993-96, 1987-89), and National Scholarships (1976- 1983).
His current research interests are in the areas of Parallel Computing, Networking, Multiprocessor Architectures, Parallel and Distributed Processing, Performance Evaluation, Cloud Computing, Reliability and Fault tolerance. He has published more than 100 papers in these areas in many revered conferences and reputed journals including Elsevier and Springer. Multiple scholars have been awarded with Ph.D degree under the active guidance and supervision of Prof. Tripathy.
Dr. Tripathy is a Life Member of Indian Society for Technical Education, Instrument Society of India and Orissa Information Technology Society. He is also a Fellow, Institution of Engineers (India). He has received worldwide recognition for his commendable contribution to the field of research. He was awarded with "Sir Thomas Ward Memorial Award and Medal in 1998 for his research contributions in parallel computing. He has served as the Chairman of many Academic bodies and Administrative Committees at the National and State level.

Brigadier (Dr.) L C Patnaik, Former Chairman, Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)

Brigadier (Dr.) L C Patnaik is the Former Chairman, Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) and a decorated Infantry Officer with services in Indian Army, Ministries of Defense, External Affairs, Home and Public Service Commission. He has extensive frontline experience in multi-dimensional warfare, conflict management, UN Peace Keeping operations, military diplomacy and international disaster management. His key operational commands include Line of Control in Kashmir, Siachen glacier and IndoChina border. He was India’s Defense Advisor at the Embassy of India, Tehran (Iran) and Member of the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan. He has a unique and singular distinction in the country to have been the Chairpersons of a State Public Service Commission and Defense Services Selection Board. He also served as a Members of Central Pay Commission (6 th) and Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee.
Brigadier Patnaik has immense contribution in education and talent management in the Govt., Defense, Academic Institutions and corporate sectors. He has been a Professor at IIT, Bhubaneswar and graded Instructor at Army War College and Indian Military Academy. He has been Head of Faculty at Pre- Defense Services Staff College and Infantry School. He is presently associated as Professor Emeritus at Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Ahmedabad and Indraprastha University at New Delhi. He remains on the Board of Governors of many Institutions, notably, Bharatiya Vidya Bhaban, NIDM and others. Brig. L C Patnaik is an accomplished academician with a Ph D in International Strategy, Masters in Defense Studies, Psychology, International Relations and Business Administration. He has contributed immensely in many international and national journals of repute. He was a national basketball player and a keen golfer.

Dr. Pravakar Swain, Former Engineer in Chief (EIC, Electrical), Govt. of Odisha.

Dr. Pravakar Swain is an eminent litterateur, engineer, educationist, organizer and social worker. He is an alumni of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela and recipient of D.Sc. (Doctor of Science) from Biju Pattnaik University of Technology (BPUT), Odisha. He is the former Engineer in Chief (Electrical), Government of Odisha.
His sincere efforts for over four decades has helped propagate Odia literature and culture to different parts of India and abroad. He is Founder and Chairperson of Sarala Sahitya Sansad, the premier literary and cultural organization of India. The Sansad (which is the brainchild of Dr. Swain) conducts national and international level literature and cultural seminars, recognizes eminent litterateurs and personalities. It has a posh auditorium, huge library, writers’ gallery and museum displaying tribal art, artifacts and rare cultural documents. In the 1980s, Dr. Swain founded Baya Abadhut College and Oshamani High School in Jagatsinghpur district to provide quality education to the deprived sections of the rural society.
He is Founder and Chairperson of several prominent national and state level organizations like Indian Energy Congress, Orissa Engineers Forum, Chelitola Cultural Academy, Santha Kabi Bhim Bhoi Memorial Society etc. He has authored more than dozen books spreading across short stories, criticism, biography and translations and edited more than hundred books. He is the recipient of nearly three dozen awards including the prestigious Sahitya Academy (National Academy of Letters, New Delhi) Award.

THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Guided by the Founder President of the University, Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra, the leadership team represent diverse functions, and are committed to collaboratively serve significant organizational purpose for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. They bring together and lead staff and faculty and ensure aligned action.

Dr. Sukant K Mohapatra, President

Dr. Sukant K. Mohapatra is the founder chairman of the Trust prompting NIST and chairman of the Board of Governors (BoG) of the NIST University, Institute Park, Odisha, India. Dr. Mohapatra is an alumni of NIT, Rourkela and has MS & PhD Degree in Computer Science from USA.
Dr. Mohapatra has over 35 years of professional experience in leadership positions, leading applied research, technology strategy, and business development in the telecommunications industry in the USA. He has worked in leadership positions at AT&T, Lucent Technologies - Bell Laboratories and Ericsson as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). His work area and research interest include: 5G and Future Communication, Network Virtualization, Cloud Computing, Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), Internet of Things (IoT) and applications in Computer Vision/Edge Analytics/Immersive X-Reality domain. He has published extensively in the areas of data networking, network management, congestion control, network virtualization and Internet of Things (IoT) in refereed journals and conferences.
Dr. Mohapatra has taught graduate programs at Rutgers University, NJ, USA. He is the recipient of multiple honors and awards for his seminal contribution in research, technology and leadership. He is recipient of prestigious DMTS award at Bell Laboratories, Strathmore World's Who's Who, Distinguished Alumni Award from NIT Rourkela, Distinguished Odia Award by OSA, USA and Sir Visvesvaraya Award by the Engineers Forum. He is the life senior member of IEEE and has been an invited speaker in various conferences and forums around the globe.

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra, Vice Chancellor

Prof. (Dr) Priyadarsan Patra is the Vice-Chancellor of NIST University. Dr. Patra holds a Ph.D. degree in Computer Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, an M.S. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a B.Engg from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Dr. Patra has over 30 years of Research, Academic and Administrative leadership experience. He has founded or led global research and practice initiatives such as IEEE Communication Society Industry Outreach and International Conference on Intelligent Systems and Embedded Design. He was instrumental in promoting the areas of priority for research funding with internal and external audiences, keeping in view excellence, integrity, diversity and compliance. Over the years, he created and led world-class research and development for Servers, Systems-on-Chip, and smart devices. His research interests include VLSI, applications of Machine Learning, Big Data & Cloud Computing, and the design of Low-power and Intelligent systems. He also participated in driving and authoring AICTE and UGC applications for accreditation approvals of the University programs. He has edited multiple technical proceedings, has authored 80+ indexed scholarly publications, five scientific books, 13 USA and international patents, and other influential articles. Prof. Patra had developed an architecture for building Single Flux Quantum Circuits and adiabatic circuits for his dissertation. Elected Senior Member of both the IEEE and the ACM, and an IE and IETE Fellow, Prof. Patra is the Founding Chair of the global IEEE System Validation and Debug Technology Committee and serves on several Boards of Advisors. Passionate about social development and volunteerism worldwide for over 25+ years, he has founded the Sustainable Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS) and has worked on sustainable and appropriate technology, various facets of better access to education, and women’s empowerment, through multiple initiatives in India and abroad. Prior to joining NIST University, he served as the Pro Vice Chancellor and Distinguished Professor at DIT university, as a Chief Architect and Principal Scientist of the R&D divisions of Intel Corp (USA), the Dean of Computer Sciences at UPES University and the Dean of Research at Xavier University. As the founding Dean at Xavier School of Computer Science & Engineering, he established M.Tech and Ph.D. programs and labs and drove digital transformation by providing learning platforms and training to Faculty, students, and alumni during the pandemic.

Dr. P. Rajesh Kumar, Dean of Academics

Dr. Panakala Rajesh Kumar is a seasoned professional with a cumulative experience of 23 years in the field of academia. As a Professor, he has made significant contributions to the domains of VLSI Design and Robotics. His academic journey includes a Master's in Digital System Engineering and a Ph.D. from the prestigious IIT Madras.Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Rajesh Kumar has been actively involved in teaching and research. His expertise is reflected in his extensive publication record, showcasing his involvement in cutting-edge research. Notable publications include works on medical image fusion using convolutional neural networks, comparative analysis of conventional and deep learning image fusion methods, and the design of a wide-band blade monopole antenna, among others. In recognition of his scholarly achievements, Dr. Rajesh Kumar has received several awards and honors. These include the Best Labview Academy Award from National Instruments in 2017, the Best Paper Award for his research on the Person Follower Robotic System at the International Conference on Control, Instrumentation, Communication and Computational Technologies in 2014, and the Best Teacher award from JNTU Kakinada in the academic year 2010-11.Under his mentorship, projects like the "E-Stick for Blind and Deaf" won accolades, securing the consolation prize in the Imagine Cup-2010 Accessibility. Dr. Rajesh Kumar's commitment to education is further exemplified by the IIT Madras scholarship he received for his Ph.D. work. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Rajesh Kumar has actively participated in various workshops, seminars, conferences, and training programs. His engagement in conferences includes presenting papers on topics such as reconfigurable service robots, robotic systems using fuzzy logic for person following, and novel approaches in the implementation of robot path planning using parallel processing algorithms.
Overall, Dr. Panakala Rajesh Kumar stands as a distinguished academician and researcher, contributing significantly to the fields of VLSI Design and Robotics. His wealth of experience, coupled with a remarkable publication record and numerous awards, positions him as a respected figure in the academic community.

Dr.Bishnukar Nayak , Registrar I/C

Dr. Bishnukar Nayak, holds a Ph.D. from Berhampur University. With a profound interest in cosmology, Dr. Nayak has made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, publishing 14 research papers across various disciplines. As a life member of the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) and the Odisha Mathematical Society, he actively participates in academic communities. Dr. Nayak's dedication extends beyond research to administrative and academic roles. With over 14 years of teaching experience, his influence reaches beyond NIST, as Dr. Nayak contributes to the broader academic community by serving on various boards of studies for universities and autonomous colleges. His research focus on cosmology and the general theory of relativity showcases a commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge.
In summary, Dr. Bishnukar Nayak is a dedicated scholar, educator, and administrator with a profound impact on cosmology and mathematics. His multifaceted roles and extensive involvement in research and administration reflect a deep passion for advancing education and exploring the mysteries of the universe.

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra

Vice-Chancellor

NIST University

Dr. Manas R. Patra

Professor of CSE

NIST University

Dr. Simanchalo Panigrahi

HoD, Physics

NIST University

Dr. P Rajesh Kumar

Dean Academics

NIST University

Dr. Preeti Ranjan Sahu

Asso. Dean, Student Affairs

NIST University

Dr. Sasmita Padhy

HoD, Dept. of Electrical Engg.

NIST University

Dr. Akankshya Pattnaik

Assoc. Prof, Dept. of Management

NIST University

Mr. Kailash Ch. Mallick

Finance Officer

NIST University

Dr. Bishnukar Nayak

Registrar I/C

NIST University

OMBUDSMAN

Dr. Sunil Kumar Sarangi

Former Director, NIT Rourkela

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

FINANCE COMMITTEE

INTERNAL COMPLAINT COMMITTEE (ICC)