CMN Excellence Awards

CMNIT has instituted the CMN Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding achievement across various levels of education, research, and innovation. These awards are presented annually to eminent personalities who have demonstrated exceptional academic leadership, transformation in the world of education, or innovation.

The awardee is selected by a Search-cum-Selection Committee under the chairmanship of Prof. H. P. Khincha (Former Vice-Chancellor, Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi and Former Professor of Electrical Engineering, IISc), with Prof. Kavi Mahesh (Former Director, IIIT Dharwad) and Prof. Manjuprakash Rama Rao (Professor of Practice and Head, Industry Institute Interaction Cell, RNSIT, Bengaluru; Former Director, Honeywell Technology Solutions, Bengaluru) as members.

The award carries a cash prize of ₹1.00 Lakh along with a medal / citation / plaque.

CMN Award for Excellence in Academic Leadership – 2025

Dr. V. Ramgopal Rao

Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani
Former Director, IIT Delhi

Prior to joining IIT Delhi, Prof. Ramgopal Rao spent 18 years as a faculty member at IIT Bombay, where he served as P. K. Kelkar Chair Professor for Nanotechnology and Chief Investigator for the Centre of Excellence in Nanoelectronics project. His research expertise in nanoelectronics and electron devices has garnered international recognition, with over 450 research publications and 45 patents.

His numerous accolades include the Infosys Prize for Engineering and Computer Science (2013), Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in Engineering Sciences (2005), and the IEEE Electron Device Society Education Award (2020). He is a Fellow of several prestigious academies including IEEE, INSA, and IASc.

He holds a B.Tech from Kakatiya University, an M.Tech from IIT Bombay, and a Ph.D from Bundeswehr University Munich, Germany.

In recognition of his tireless efforts, unwavering commitment, and exemplary contribution to academics and society, the CMN Foundation Trust, as an expression of high esteem, humbly presents Dr. V. Ramgopal Rao the

“C. M. Nagaraj Award for Excellence in Academic Leadership – 2025”.

This award is conferred on 6^th October 2025 (Monday), in Bengaluru.

Chairman
Search-cum-Selection Committee

Chairperson
CMN Foundation Trust (R)

As Director of IIT Delhi from 2016 to 2021, Dr. V. Ramgopal Rao led the institution to unprecedented growth, securing the Institution of Eminence (IoE) status in 2018, making IIT Delhi one of the first three government institutions to achieve this recognition.

His leadership also spearheaded the launch of IIT Delhi’s Global Alumni Endowment Fund with an initial commitment of ₹265 crore, setting a new benchmark for academic institutions in India.

CMN Award for Excellence – 2026

CMN Student Merit Awards

CMNIT has instituted the CMN Student Merit Awards to recognize and reward students for exceptional achievements in academics, leadership, creativity, or athletics. These awards are presented semester-wise to meritorious students for their outstanding performance in the previous semester and include cash awards along with a medal / certificate.

CMN Chair Professorship

CMNIT has instituted a few CMN Chair Professorships to engage retired experts or attract top talent for teaching and research. Each department shall have one CMN Chair Professor who will be provided with higher salaries, research grants, research associates, and travel grants, with tenures varying from a few years to enable significant contributions to the institute.