Dr Radhakrishnan was Vice-Chancellor of VIT University, Vellore, India, during June 2002 to June 2007. During this period, he guided the development of the academic system of the new University as well as laid the foundation for research activities. More than 40 research areas were identified across the different schools and research programmes have been initiated. Interdisciplinary research and manpower development centres like Centre for Automotive Infotronics and Automotive Reseach Centre were set up through his initiative. A Technology Business Incubator was also set up at VIT University during his tenure.

Before assuming charge as the vice-chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology, he was the Principal of P.S.G. College of Technology, Coimbatore, India, where he served for more than 3 decades since 1970. During his service at PSG Tech, he had been instrumental in developing several programmes at the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels as well as setting up several specialized laboratories like Rapid Prototyping Centre, Virtual Reality Laboratory etc and a Science and Technology Entrepreneurial Park (STEP).

Dr Radhakrishnan has carried out several consultancy projects in the areas of CAD/CAM, Reverse Engineering & Technology Development in Rapid Prototyping etc. Currently the areas of research are rapid manufacturing, collaborative product design, lean manufacturing, and machining of composites. Organizations for which he carried out projects include Indian Space & Research Organization (ISRO), Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), and several industries. He was associated with the Geo-Synchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) project of ISRO and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project of ADA. He has successfully executed many funded and sponsored research projects through the Government agencies like All-India Committee for Technical Education (AICTE), Aeronautics Research and Development Board (ARDB), Baba Atomic Research Center (BARC), Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Department of Science & Technology (DST), and Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). He is the author of 4 books and more than 100 technical papers. He serves as an Expert member on several committees of the Central Government organizations and as a member of the Project Advisory Committee.

Dr Radhakrishnan holds a Ph.D. in Hydraulic Control Systems from PSG College of Technology (Madras University), a M.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras and a B.Sc. in Engineering from Kerala University. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (FIE),Member of the Systems Society of India, Member of the Computer society of India, Member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (MSME), and American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). He has been the chairman of the Coimbatore chapter of Computer Society of India (CSI) and a member of syndicate of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. He was also a member of the Board for Industry Institute Interaction of AICTE. He has served as member of the AICTE Review Committee for Undergraduate Engineering Programmes. He has also served in several Expert Committees of MHRD and AICTE. He has also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Tamilnadu State Council of science and Technology as well as the Southern Regional committee of AICTE.

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