Dr. V. Chandra Sekhara Rao

Dr. V. Chandra Sekhara Rao (Ph.D., IIT Madras) is an accomplished academician, research innovator, and strategic institutional leader, currently serving as Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at RGUKT Basar. A proud alumnus of IIT Madras, he holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in polymer composites, fracture and durability mechanics, non-destructive testing (NDT), and eco-sustainable engineering solutions.

With over 11 years of academic, research, and administrative experience, Dr. Rao has consistently driven excellence across diverse verticals — be it in teaching, mentoring, or institutional development. His contributions have been pivotal in shaping a research-driven and innovation-centric ecosystem at RGUKT Basar.

He was one of the earliest champions of entrepreneurship and applied research on campus, having launched student innovation cells and incubation initiatives as early as 2016. Under his mentorship, RGUKT Basar celebrated its first national triumph in the Smart India Hackathon (Hardware Edition), and since then, he has guided students to file patents, develop prototypes, and win accolades at national platforms.

Dr. Rao Photo

Academic & Research Profile

Dr. V. Chandra Sekhara Rao is an accomplished academician, research innovator, and strategic institutional leader. A proud alumnus of IIT Madras, he holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, with research specializations in:

  • Polymer Composites
  • Fracture & Durability Mechanics
  • Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
  • Eco-Sustainable Engineering Solutions

With 11+ years of academic, research, and administrative experience, he has played a pivotal role in shaping a research-driven, innovation-centric ecosystem at RGUKT Basar.

Key Achievements

  • Recipient of Telangana State Best Teacher Award (2024)
  • First faculty at RGUKT Basar to file a patent
  • Guided the first national win for RGUKT Basar in Smart India Hackathon (Hardware Edition)
  • Mentored students to file patents, develop award-winning prototypes, and gain international exposure
  • Initiated entrepreneurship cells and innovation labs as early as 2016
  • Successfully led a ₹12 Lakh DSIR-funded research project on sustainable construction materials

Research & Publications

Dr. Rao’s research contributions span structural durability and green technologies. He has published extensively in reputed journals, including:

  • Construction & Building Materials
  • Materials Today: Proceedings

He has also supervised high-impact projects at premier institutes like NIT Warangal, especially in lightweight composite materials and sustainable alternatives.

Institutional Contributions

Served in key leadership roles including:

  • Controller of Examinations
  • Dean, Research & Development
  • Innovation Cell Coordinator

Spearheaded major reforms:

  • Transparent UG admissions
  • Restructured post-2019 exam protocols
  • Established key labs from scratch (e.g., Strength of Materials Lab)

Facilitated 25+ MoUs with top institutions and companies such as:

  • Microsoft
  • SAP
  • Wells Fargo
  • Multiple international universities

Student Empowerment & Mentorship

  • Designed and led multiple Faculty Development Programs (FDPs), certification courses (e.g., SOLIDWORKS), and startup mentoring programs
  • Enabled nearly 30+ students to gain international exposure through internships and collaborations
  • Constantly bridges academic learning with real-world engineering applications

“More than a mentor — he is a catalyst of transformation, igniting minds with knowledge, grounding them with discipline, and inspiring them with vision.”

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