E156 | Roots. Reforms. AI. Prof. Rao on India’s Educational Future P1 | Prof. V Ramgopal Rao

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to transform India's higher education system? Professor V. Ramgopal Rao brings a unique authority to this question, having journeyed from a Telugu-medium school in rural Telangana to leading IIT Delhi and now serving as Group Vice Chancellor at BITS Pilani.Professor Rao's remarkable story begins in a region known for poverty, where educational resources were scarce. Despite studying in Telugu medium throughout school, he excelled academically and eventually found his way to IIT Bombay for his Master's degree—a pivotal moment that revealed his exceptional talent for research. "I discovered myself at IIT Bombay," he reflects, acknowledging how this opportunity opened doors he never knew existed.Throughout our conversation, Professor Rao emphasizes adaptation as the cornerstone of success. His ability to form meaningful relationships, remain humble, and adapt to new environments propelled him forward at each stage of his journey. This quality, combined with his intellectual curiosity, has resulted in over 500 publications, more than 50 patents, and global recognition in nanoelectronics.The most compelling portion of our discussion focuses on Professor Rao's passionate call for structural reforms in Indian higher education. He articulates specific problems holding back our institutions: the absence of outcome-linked funding models, insufficient administrative autonomy, and inadequate incentives for philanthropy and research. "We need 1991-style reforms in the higher education sector," he declares, drawing a parallel to India's economic liberalization.His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates what's possible when institutions have clear priorities. Under his direction, IIT Delhi developed technologies that helped 15 million people, including affordable RT-PCR kits that dramatically reduced testing costs nationwide. This success story exemplifies his conviction that Indian institutions possess tremendous untapped potential, waiting to be unleashed through thoughtful reform.Ready to hear more about transforming education and unleashing institutional excellence? Subscribe now and join the conversation about reimagining India's academic future.Have you purchased the copy of Inspire Someone Today, yet? - Give it a go geni.us/istbookAvailable on all podcast platforms, including, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify