Prof Somak Raychaudhury, a well-known astrophysicist and Director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of Ashoka University. Raychaudhury will take over from Prof Malabika Sarkar, who completes her term after serving as Ashoka University’s Vice-Chancellor since August 2019.

The appointment follows an extensive global search conducted by a search committee consisting of the Chancellor, Deans, faculty members, founders and trustees of Ashoka University. His date of joining will be announced shortly.

Vice-Chancellor Designate Raychaudhury said, “Ashoka University is recognised nationally and internationally for its pioneering approach towards academic excellence, research and innovation and wide impact. Ashoka is already India’s premier interdisciplinary teaching and research institution, and I am delighted to join it at this exciting juncture.”

Rich pedigree

Raychaudhury holds a PhD in Astrophysics from Churchill College, University of Cambridge, and undergraduate degrees in Physics from Trinity College at University of Oxford and Presidency College at University of Calcutta. He was earlier the Head of Department of Physics and Dean of Sciences at Presidency University.

He is one of India’s leading observational astronomers and has made seminal discoveries using observations at radio, optical and X-ray frequencies, a release from the institute, said. Introducing the new Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor and Founding Vice-Chancellor Prof Rudrangshu Mukherjee said, “With Raychaudhury’s outstanding experience of leading several institutions and conducting exemplary research, he is well placed to take forward our mission to expand our ambitious sciences and research agenda as the university embarks on its next decade.”