Sowmya Narayanan Sadagopan (MS IE’77, PhD IE’79) always had a thirst for knowledge, and his journey from a curious student to an influential educator and mentor is a testament to the power of education and its ability to transform lives.
Sadagopan is from Chennai, India, and his entry into the world of technology and education began with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Madras. His first professional role as a computer engineer at Engineers India, a Delhi-based consulting firm, exposed him to the cutting-edge applications of computer engineering.
Inspired by a professor who had come from Purdue, Sadagopan set his sights on furthering his education abroad. “Purdue was ahead of the computer revolution, tackling problems that could benefit humanity,” he says. His time at the university helped shape his career in large-scale computing and computational problem-solving.
Upon returning to India, Sadagopan became involved in nation-building projects such as the Education and Research Network of India. This initiative helped connect academic institutions across the country, boosting India’s technological infrastructure. Sadagopan later became the first director of the International Institute of Information Technology in Bangalore, where he spent two decades helping shape it into a leading institution for technology and research.
Sadagopan’s influence has reached far beyond the classroom, empowering generations of students to push the boundaries of their own potential. One of those students is Sukesh Jagannathan Ranganathan, a graduate research assistant at Purdue.
“Professor Sadagopan has been more than just a mentor—he has been a guiding light,” Ranganathan says. “His wisdom, vision, and commitment to excellence have shaped my outlook on education, research, and leadership.”
Ranganathan first encountered Sadagopan during his undergraduate studies at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design, and Manufacturing in Kancheepuram, where Sadagopan served as the chairman.
In his role, Sadagopan introduced a campus counseling program, emphasizing mental health and the breaking of stigmas surrounding it. “The online dial-in service for counseling was especially helpful during times of stress and declining motivation,” Ranganathan says. “It was one of many ways professor Sadagopan created a supportive and nurturing environment for students.”
Sadagopan also spearheaded the VIDHAI program—vidhai means “seed” in Tamil—which Ranganathan found deeply moving.
“We partnered with local schools to guide students through technical projects,” Ranganathan says. “That experience motivated me to pursue a PhD and made me realize the power of education to shape lives.”
Ranganathan’s decision to apply to Purdue was also inspired by Sadagopan’s stories about the institution, which left a lasting impression.
“Professor Sadagopan’s influence shaped my academic trajectory and continues to guide me in my work today,” he says.
Sadagopan’s legacy is a powerful reminder of how a dedicated educator can shape the future. His vision for education, research, and societal impact has left a mark on students like Ranganathan and on the institutions he helped build, ensuring his contributions will continue to resonate for generations to come.
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