Prof. Raghunathan, Dean, Global Engagement | “Everyone successful wears multiple hats”| Ep. 11

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

January 31, 2025

Duration

1h 13m

Channel

Best Place To Build

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Ever wonder how a mysterious floppy disk with no instructions led to an entire career in AI? No, we ain’t exaggerating. Meet Prof Raghu, who went from playing late-night TT in Narmada hostel to becoming IIT Madras' Dean of Global Engagement. In this episode, he spills the tea about: 🏓 Epic 2:30 AM table tennis matches in hostel common rooms 📚What chemical engineering actually is (no, it's not Chemistry) to becoming an expert in AI in chemical engineering. 📊 How he conquered jet lag to finish writing his book (spoiler: 2:30 AM coffee sessions!) ➖ The legendary professor who only gave negative marks 🌍 Taking IIT Madras global (literally, to Zanzibar!) Bonus: Find out why Prof Raghu claims Narmada was "clearly the best hostel" and their secret to winning nine six-a-side competitions! 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Meet Professor Raghu 01:27 Student Life at IIT Madras 04:18 Life Abroad: Studying at Purdue 06:15 Chemical Engineering and AI 16:05 Teaching and Writing Books 31:45 Role as Dean of Global Engagement 35:17 Global Engagement and Academic Matchmaking 36:05 Strategic University Collaborations 38:25 International Conferences and Institute of Eminence 39:59 Taking IIT Madras Global 41:39 IIT Madras Zanzibar: A New Frontier 44:22 Admissions and Faculty at IIT Madras Zanzibar 50:13 Challenges and Vision for IIT Madras Zanzibar 57:33 IITM Global: Expanding Research and Innovation 01:00:31 Balancing Multiple Roles as an Academic 01:07:45 Relaxation and Personal Interests 01:09:56 Walmart Center for Tech Excellence 01:12:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts To know more about what makes IIT Madras- the Best Place to Build- hit https://www.bestplacetobuild.com/

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Unknown Host

  host

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Best Place To Build, featuring Unknown Host, Prof. Raghunathan, Dean, Global Engagement | “Everyone successful wears multiple hats”| Ep. 11 explores professor Raghu on global campuses, AI, and academic multitasking today Professor Raghu contrasts IIT Madras student life in the late 1980s—fun, security, and low pressure—with today’s higher-stakes, higher-pressure environment.

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