16 hours ago
Professor Suman Chakraborty appointed Director of IIT Kharagpur
Professor Suman Chakraborty, institute chair professor in the Mechanical Engineering department, was appointed Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur on Thursday (June 19, 2025).
His appointment will end after a period of five years from the date of assumption of charge of the post.
On December 31 last year, Professor Amit Patra, Director of IIT, Benaras Hindu University, had taken additional charge as the interim Director of IIT Kharagpur until the regular incumbent took over.
Professor Chakraborty is a former student of Jadavpur University in Kolkata as well as of the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. Currently a J.C. Bose National Fellow, he is also a visiting lecturer at Stanford University in the United States.
His illustrious career as a scientist is centred around developing several 'affordable, simple-to-execute, and innovative diagnostic solutions' related to common clinical challenges like anaemia, cancer, COVID-19, tuberculosis etc.
'I sincerely appreciate the steadfast support of our IIT family and well-wishers. I eagerly anticipate our shared journey toward cultural transformation, innovation, and excellence as we work together to position our institute among the world's leading academic institutions,' Professor Chakraborty told The Hindu.
Earlier this year, he was awarded the 2026 TWAS Award in Engineering and Computer Sciences by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
In his long career, Professor Chakraborty has been involved in the development of clinical diagnostic technologies like Covirap, a rapid COVID-19 detection test kit that was granted a U.S. patent for its rapid nucleic acid testing technology using DNA-RNA samples.
He has also developed technologies that are currently available in the market commercially, like PrepapQR, a home test to accurately test vaginal Ph, and HemoQR, a simplified anaemia screening test.
