Latest news with #Kornbluth
NDTV
6 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Indian-Origin Engineer Anantha Chandrakasan Named MIT Provost
New York: Prof Anantha Chandrakasan has been named Massachusetts Institute of Technology's new provost, the first Indian-American to serve in this leadership role. Chennai-born Mr Chandrakasan, who is MIT's chief innovation and strategy officer and Dean of Engineering, will begin his new role on July 1. MIT President Sally Kornbluth, in making the announcement, said that Mr Chandrakasan was chosen from a group of outstanding internal candidates and brings to this post an exceptional record of shaping and leading important innovations for the Institute. The MIT provost is the institute's chief academic and budget officer, with a wide-ranging portfolio that encompasses everything related to faculty, oversight of the educational enterprise and prime responsibility for MIT's strategic planning. In a statement from MIT, Mr Chandrakasan said he is 'deeply honoured" to take on the role of provost. 'Looking ahead, I see myself as a key facilitator, enabling faculty, students, postdocs, and staff to continue making extraordinary contributions to the nation and the world,' he said. Ms Kornbluth noted that Mr Chandrakasan steps into the provost's role at a 'perilous' time for MIT when some of its most basic operating assumptions – including MIT's ability to count on extensive federal support for its mission of research, education and innovation, and to attract and retain superb talent from around the world – are now uncertain. 'In a time of such intense pressure and potentially historic change, I am particularly grateful that we will be able to draw on Anantha's depth and breadth of experience; his nimbleness, entrepreneurial spirit and boundless energy; his remarkable record in raising funds from outside sources for important ideas; and his profound commitment to MIT's mission,' she said. The Consulate General of India in New York congratulated Mr Chandrakasan on his appointment as Provost of MIT, noting that he is the first Indian-American to have achieved this feat. 'A distinguished academic and leader, Prof Chandrakasan has remained a strong advocate of India-USA technological & R&D collaboration; has been working with various Indian government and private sector stakeholders towards this objective. We wish him all success in this important responsibility,' the Consulate said. 'In short, the job truly could not be more central to MIT's present and future vitality,' Ms Kornbluth said. The provost also oversees several affiliated institutes and units and leads a team of vice provosts responsible for the arts; campus space management and planning; faculty; international activities; and Open Learning. Mr Chandrakasan has served as the dean of the School of Engineering since 2017 and as MIT's inaugural chief innovation and strategy officer since 2024. Prior to becoming dean, he headed the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), MIT's largest academic department, for six years. Kornbluth said she had chosen him as MIT's inaugural chief innovation and strategy officer (CISO) because of his 'can-do attitude, creativity, enthusiasm, strategic insight, fluency across a wide range of subject areas, and gift for engaging industry allies and donors.' Mr Chandrakasan succeeds Cynthia Barnhart, who announced her decision to step down from the role in February. As MIT's chief academic officer, Mr Chandrakasan will focus on three overarching priorities: understanding institutional needs and strategic financial planning, attracting and retaining top talent, and supporting cross-cutting research, education, and entrepreneurship programming, the MIT statement said. 'Recognising that each school and other academic units operate within a unique context, I plan to engage deeply with their leaders to understand their challenges and aspirations. This will help me refine and set the priorities for the Office of the Provost,' Mr Chandrakasan said. Mr Chandrakasan also plans to establish a provost faculty advisory group to hear on an ongoing basis from faculty across the five schools and the college, as well as student/postdoc advisory groups and an external provost advisory council, he said adding that his goal is to continue to facilitate excellence at MIT at all levels, it said. 'There is a tremendous opportunity for MIT to be at the centre of the innovations in areas where the United States wants to lead. It's about AI. It's about semiconductors. It's about quantum, biosecurity and biomanufacturing space — but not only that," Mr Chandrakasan said in the MIT statement. "We need students who can do more than just code or design or build. We really need students who understand the human perspective and human insights. This is why collaborations between STEM fields and the humanities, arts and social sciences, such as through the new MIT Human Insights Collaborative, are so important,' Mr Chandrakasan said. Mr Chandrakasan earned his BS, MS, and PhD in electrical engineering and computer sciences from the University of California at Berkeley. After joining the MIT faculty, he was director of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) from 2006 until he became the head of EECS in 2011.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennai-Born engineer Prof. Chandrakasan appointed Provost of MIT
Prof. Anantha Chandrakasan has been named Massachusetts Institute of Technology's new provost. The Consulate General of India in New York congratulated Prof. Chandrakasan, noting that he is the first Indian-American to have achieved this feat. Chennai-born Prof. Chandrakasan, who is MIT's chief innovation and strategy officer and Dean of Engineering, will begin his new role on July 1. The MIT provost is the institute's chief academic and budget officer, with a wide-ranging portfolio that encompasses everything related to faculty, oversight of the educational enterprise, and prime responsibility for MIT's strategic planning. In a statement from MIT, Prof. Chandrakasan said he is 'deeply honoured' to take on the role of provost. 'Looking ahead, I see myself as a key facilitator, enabling faculty, students, postdocs, and staff to continue making extraordinary contributions to the nation and the world,' he said. At a 'perilous' time for MIT MIT President Sally Kornbluth, in making the announcement, said that Prof. Chandrakasan was chosen from a group of outstanding internal candidates and brings to this post an exceptional record of shaping and leading important innovations for the Institute. Ms. Kornbluth noted that Prof. Chandrakasan steps into the provost's role at a 'perilous' time for MIT when some of its most basic operating assumptions – including MIT's ability to count on extensive federal support for its mission of research, education and innovation, and to attract and retain superb talent from around the world – are now uncertain. 'In a time of such intense pressure and potentially historic change, I am particularly grateful that we will be able to draw on Anantha's depth and breadth of experience; his nimbleness, entrepreneurial spirit and boundless energy; his remarkable record in raising funds from outside sources for important ideas; and his profound commitment to MIT's mission,' she said. The Consulate General of India said, 'A distinguished academic and leader, Prof. Chandrakasan has remained a strong advocate of India-USA technological and R&D collaboration; has been working with various Indian government and private sector stakeholders towards this objective. We wish him all success in this important responsibility'. Prof. Chandrakasan has served as the dean of the School of Engineering since 2017 and as MIT's inaugural chief innovation and strategy officer since 2024. Prior to becoming dean, he headed the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), MIT's largest academic department, for six years. Ms. Kornbluth said she had chosen him as MIT's inaugural chief innovation and strategy officer (CISO) because of his 'can-do attitude, creativity, enthusiasm, strategic insight, fluency across a wide range of subject areas, and gift for engaging industry allies and donors.' Prof. Chandrakasan succeeds Cynthia Barnhart, who announced her decision to step down from the role in February. Road ahead As MIT's chief academic officer, Prof. Chandrakasan will focus on three overarching priorities: understanding institutional needs and strategic financial planning, attracting and retaining top talent, and supporting cross-cutting research, education, and entrepreneurship programming, the MIT statement said. 'Recognising that each school and other academic units operate within a unique context, I plan to engage deeply with their leaders to understand their challenges and aspirations. This will help me refine and set the priorities for the Office of the Provost,' Prof. Chandrakasan said. Prof. Chandrakasan also plans to establish a provost faculty advisory group to hear on an ongoing basis from faculty across the five schools and the college, as well as student/postdoc advisory groups and an external provost advisory council, he said adding that his goal is to continue to facilitate excellence at MIT at all levels, it said. "We need students who can do more than just code or design or build. We really need students who understand the human perspective and human insights. This is why collaborations between STEM fields and the humanities, arts and social sciences, such as through the new MIT Human Insights Collaborative, are so important,' Prof. Chandrakasan said. Prof. Chandrakasan earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from the University of California at Berkeley. After joining the MIT faculty, he was director of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) from 2006 until he became the head of EECS in 2011.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MIT announces plans to wind down DEI office, eliminate equity VP job
MIT has become the latest in a string of elite American universities — including Harvard — to distance itself from the idea of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as President Donald Trump continues his anti-DEI agenda and attempts to rein in colleges and universities who resist it. MIT President Sally Kornbluth announced plans to 'sunset' the university's Institute Community and Equity Office and remove its vice president for equity and inclusion position in a letter to the school community last week. The office's 'core programs' will continue, but under the purview of other offices. Read more: 'Willing to capitulate': Cracks emerge in Harvard's resistance to Trump over DEI The decision comes as a result of an assessment of the office's programs and whether they are 'effectively serving campus needs,' Kornbluth wrote. Former Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Karl Reid began this assessment in January 2024, but stepped down from his position in February 2025. Following Reid's resignation, Kornbluth asked 'a working group of senior faculty and staff' to continue the assessment, she wrote. It presented its findings to MIT's Academic Council — which is made up of the university's most senior leaders — last month. 'At a high level, the working group found real appreciation for the programs administered by the Institute Community and Equity Office (ICEO) and reported that our community remains deeply committed to the pursuit of inclusive excellence,' Kornbluth's letter reads. 'But the working group also reported a broad desire to rethink how this work is done in practice; a common refrain, matching what I'd heard myself, was that community is best built locally rather than top down.' The decision to wind down the equity office and vice president position was made based on the recommendations of the working group, Kornbluth wrote. MIT also plans to implement several other changes at the advice of the working group. Read more: Harvard renames its DEI office, conceding on Trump demand Firstly, the university plans to create a new, staff-led Standing Institute Committee that will serve as a 'mechanism' through which people doing 'local-first community building' can easily collaborate with and offer suggestions to MIT leadership, according to the letter. Secondly, it plans to clarify the responsibilities of 'professionals focused on community and belonging efforts' and ensure their work is addressing the needs of the local community by working with MIT's human resources department and local leaders. Finally, as students in affinity groups told the working group that they'd value greater access to university leadership, Kornbluth has tasked Chancellor Melissa Nobles and her team with working with student leaders to determine how best to achieve that goal over the next several months. 'MIT is deeply committed to fostering a campus environment that is free of discrimination and harassment,' she wrote. Read more: Northeastern scrubs most DEI language from website after Trump executive order In making these changes, MIT is following in the footsteps of other Massachusetts universities, such as Northeastern University, which scrubbed DEI-related language from its website in January after President Trump signed an executive order that ended federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs and placed federal DEI staffers on paid leave. Despite its rhetorical and legal rebukes of the Trump administration's attempts to influence colleges and universities, Harvard University made a similar change in April, announcing that it was renaming its DEI office. Harvard affinity group graduations held off campus amid 'capitulation' to Trump Harvard commencement speaker says it's fitting to 'hear from an immigrant like me' Many foreign students already fleeing Harvard University due to Trump order Protesters pack outside Harvard commencement as families focus on their graduates Trump admin starts 30-day countdown on Harvard foreign students Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MIT is shuttering DEI office amid Trump administration's push to end diversity programs
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has announced it will shut down its DEI office, joining a raft of universities scrambling to scale back their diversity, equity and inclusion programs amid President Donald Trump's anti-diversity push. In a letter on its website last Thursday, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said the institution will 'sunset' its Institute Community and Equity Office (ICEO) as well as a vice-president role charged with overseeing inclusion programs. Kornbluth insisted MIT is not abandoning efforts to ensure a diverse community but said the university will 'shift focus to community building at the local level' and that the ICEO's signature programs will be taken up by other departments on campus. 'MIT is in the talent business. Our success depends on attracting exceptionally talented people of every background, from across the country and around the world, and making sure everyone at MIT feels welcome and supported,' Kornbluth wrote. The decision to close the DEI office follows a months-long review of the university's diversity programs. The assessment was led by Karl Reid, the last Vice-President for Equity and Inclusion, who stepped down in February after barely one year in the job. Kornbluth's letter did not mention the exact dates the changes are meant to take place. CNN has reached out to MIT for comments. In recent weeks, universities across the country have been scrambling to comply with Trump's anti-diversity push in the hopes of holding on to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants, which fund critical medical research in areas such as cancer and maternal health, among an array of scientific fields. Last month, the Trump administration threatened to cancel medical research funds and to pull the accreditation of universities that have diversity and inclusion programs or boycott Israeli companies. Just hours into his second term, Trump signed an Executive Order declaring diversity, equity and inclusion efforts discriminatory, doubling down on one of the controversial policies he pushed during his first presidency. MIT is among 45 universities targeted in an investigation launched in March by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for 'allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.' MIT's decision to shutter its DEI office comes as the White House escalates its fight rows with the tech school's neighbor, Harvard University. This week the Trump administration moved to cancel all of Harvard's remaining federal contracts, which total around $100 million, in addition to several billions in grants already canceled or frozen. A week ago, the administration banned Harvard, the nation's oldest and richest university, from enrolling international students, but a federal judge temporarily halted the ban after Harvard sued the next day. The university is also locking legal horns with the government in a bid to unlock $2.2 billion in federal grants frozen by the administration for failing to implement its policy demands.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MIT closes DEI office amid Trump's dispute with Harvard and other schools
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology closed its DEI office last week, following an 18-month assessment of the department's work. The school confirmed that it closed its Institute Community and Equity Office, known as the ICEO, which described its mission online as "stewarding MIT's values and their interconnections." MIT will also eliminate the role of the vice president for equity and inclusion, who led the department, according to a university spokesperson. MIT President Sally Kornbluth made the announcement last Thursday, following an 18-month "comprehensive assessment" of the ICEO's work, an MIT spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News. While President Trump has taken aim at DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — in government, business and academia, MIT's review began before his return to office. In January 2024, Kornbluth asked staff to advise her "where we're succeeding in supporting our community and where we're falling short." "MIT is in the talent business," Kornbluth said in a notice to the MIT community. "Our success depends on attracting exceptionally talented people of every background, from across the country and around the world, and making sure everyone at MIT feels welcome and supported, so they can do their best work and thrive." The closure comes amid a battle between the Trump administration and nearby Harvard University, which intensified this week as the White House took new steps to screen and restrict international students who wish to study in the U.S. The Trump administration has frozen over $3 billion in research grants and contracts to Harvard. The White House has accused Harvard of discriminatory hiring practices and not doing enough to address antisemitism on campus. It has also leveled similar accusations at Columbia University and frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research grants and other funding to the school. Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging the funding freeze. President Trump has also called for K-12 public schools to eliminate DEI initiatives across local school systems. In April, 19 states sued the Trump administration, alleging that it is unlawful to withhold federal funding from public schools for not complying with his mandate. CBS News' Jared Hill and The Associated Press contributed reporting. SpaceX loses contact with its Starship, spins out of control Attorney for Todd and Julie Chrisley on why Trump pardoned the couple Judge rejects mistrial request at Sean "Diddy" Combs trial
