Vajja Sambasiva Rao

Vajja Sambasiva Rao, also known as V. S. Rao (born 21 January 1953) is an Indian academic and the former President of NIIT University. Relinquishing his position at NIIT University on 30 June 2020, he embraced the role of Vice-Chancellor at SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh from 1 July 2020. He was previously the Acting Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani, and the Director of the Hyderabad Campus of the university. He was responsible for establishing BITS Hyderabad campus. He is an alumnus of BITS Pilani and had been associated with the university for more than four decades in various capacities. As director, he was regarded as being instrumental in the establishment of the Hyderabad Campus.

Early life and education

Rao was born on 21 January 1953 in a village named Thullur, situated in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. He was born to Vajja Venkatapathi and Vajja Anasuyamma, farmers by profession. in Thullur, he went on to complete his higher secondary education at Andhra-Christian College, Guntur.

Academic career

Rao began his academic career in 1980 as an Assistant Lecturer at BITS Pilani, Rajasthan. He was later promoted as assistant professor, associate professor and professor, in 1982, 1990 and 1995 respectively. Prof. V. S. Rao took over the charge as Acting Vice-Chancellor on 31 July 2015. For that period, he executed his duties as both Vice-Chancellor of the university and as Director of BITS, Hyderabad Campus.

On 23 May 2016, it was announced that Prof. Rao would be joining NIIT University as its new President. He was succeeded by Prof. Souvik Bhattacharya as Vice-Chancellor of BITS-Pilani. Prof G. Sundar succeeded him as Director of Hyderabad Campus.