Dr. S. Somanath, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), achieved a significant milestone today, earning his PhD from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras). The occasion was marked by the 61st Convocation ceremony of the institution, where Dr. Somanath was honored for his doctoral research.
Dr. Somanath, a prominent aerospace engineer known for leading the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, was visibly delighted as he received his doctorate. The ceremony comes nearly a year after his elation at the historic landing of the Vikram Lander on the moon’s surface on August 23, 2023.
The ISRO chief, whose name in Sanskrit means ‘Lord of the Moon,’ reflected on the significance of his academic achievement. “Getting this PhD from IIT-Madras is a great honor,” he stated. “As a village boy, I dreamed of graduating from this prestigious institution. Though I was a topper, I lacked the courage to attempt the IIT entrance exam initially. Now, to have earned my PhD here, after my Master’s from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, feels like a dream come true.”
Dr. Somanath’s doctoral research focused on vibration isolators, a subject he began exploring during his early engineering days with ISRO. “The research topic has been close to my heart for many years,” he explained. “This PhD represents not just the culmination of recent work but also the result of 35 years of dedicated effort and passion.”
Despite his numerous honorary doctorates, Dr. Somanath emphasized that earning a PhD through rigorous research presented unique challenges. “The journey has been long and arduous, but it has been deeply rewarding,” he added. He acknowledged that even during his tenure as Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), he had to make time for his academic aspirations.
Dr. Somanath’s educational journey began at St. Augustine’s High School in Aroor, Kerala, followed by Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam. He completed his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering at Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, Kollam, before joining ISRO in 1985. Under his leadership, ISRO has achieved significant milestones, including the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, the development of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), and the advancement of the Gaganyaan program aimed at sending Indians to space.
The IIT-Madras convocation saw about 2,636 scholars awarded degrees, including undergraduate students receiving their BTech diplomas. Nobel Laureate Prof. Brian K. Kobilka was the chief guest for the ceremony.
Sources By Agencies