Kadhambari S. Viswanathan
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
Ms. Kadhambari S. Viswanathan has been instrumental in influencing the educational landscape at VIT. In her role as the next generation of educational leadership, Ms. Viswanathan is advancing the robust foundation established by Dr. G. Viswanathan, the distinguished founder and Chancellor of VIT, whose innovative contributions have elevated VIT to a status of global prominence in the fields of learning and research.
Education:
Born into a family of educators, Ms. Viswanathan’s enthusiasm for academia was instilled in her at a young age. Upon earning her bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from VIT, she moved to the United States to undertake a Master’s in Health Science at the esteemed Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her exposure to global academic practices, further strengthened by internships at DKFZ, Heidelberg, University of Malaya and SUNY Binghamton, equipped her with invaluable insights into international educational leadership. Ms. Kadhambari made history in 2003 when she was just 12 years old by being inducted into the “Limca Book of Records” as the youngest biographer for her book “My Grandpa.”, a biography of her grandfather Dr.G.Viswanathan.
Professional Journey:
Her profound inclination towards educational leadership led her to step into the role of Assistant Vice President (Trainee) at the VIT Vellore in 2013. Her strategic vision and entrepreneurial acumen established her as a leader who was well-equipped to perpetuate the legacy of VIT’s founding principles. As the AVP of VIT Chennai she made significant impact as general admin, international relations, industry connect & HR. In 2016, she received the “Legacy Transcends Award” for her substantial contributions to academic and societal endeavors.
Edupreneur:
A defining moment in Ms. Viswanathan’s career came when she was entrusted with the responsibility of establishing VIT Bhopal University in Madhya Pradesh in an independent capacity. This marked a continuation of the legacy started by Dr. G. Viswanathan-expanding access to quality education across the country. Under her leadership, the institute has seen substantial growth, including over 3 million square feet of infrastructure, the integration of cutting-edge academic management tools, and exceptional research output. Strong placements, industrial collaborations, and a diverse student body exceeding 16,000 contribute to a dynamic and resource-rich environment that promotes both innovation and academic excellence. She spearheaded the implementation of an active-learning methodology, CALTech, at the Bhopal campus, which has become a flagship Teaching model for technical education. She led the initiative to assemble India’s first all-doctoral faculty team at VIT Bhopal and introduced future ready engineering programs, providing students with a world-class learning experience.
As Ms. Viswanathan continues to steer VIT toward new heights, her leadership exemplifies the fusion of innovation and tradition. She remains deeply committed to upholding the legacy while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of higher education in India.
