February 10, 2006
Prof U R Rao Appointed Chancellor of Ambedkar University, Lucknow

Prof U R Rao, former Chairman, Space Commission and ISRO, and presently the Chairman of the Physical Research Laboratory Research Council, has been appointed as Chancellor of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow. A communication issued by the Ministry of Human Resource Development has said that the President of India, in his capacity as the Visitor of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, has appointed Prof U R Rao as the Chancellor for a period of 5 years.

Prof U R Rao is an internationally renowned space scientist. It was under his guidance that the first Indian Satellite Aryabhata was launched in 1975. As Chairman, Space Commission and ISRO during 1984-1994, Prof Rao accelerated the Indian space programme including the development of PSLV and initiation of GSLV and its cryogenic stage development. He had taken keen interest in the application of space technology for communication, broadcasting, developmental education, disaster warning and resources monitoring using INSAT and Indian remote sensing satellites.

Prof Rao was the Chairman of the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS) during 1997-2000 and President of UNISPACE-III Conference in 1999. It may be noted that Prof Rao was listed among the top ten scientists of the world by the internationally reputed publication Space News.