Former Director, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
Dr H.A. Ranganath is a distinguished academician, accomplished scientist and seasoned higher education leader with over three decades of experience in academic governance, research, and public policy. His leadership journey includes serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University and as Director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), where he played a vital role in shaping the quality assurance framework for higher education in India.
A passionate advocate for institutional excellence, Dr Ranganath has championed the global recognition of premier Indian institutions such as the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), aiming to elevate them to world-class status.
As a scientist, Dr Ranganath is internationally recognised for his pioneering work in evolutionary cytogenetics, particularly in the study of the nasuta subgroup of Drosophila. His groundbreaking research on hybridisation and fabrication, spanning over 450 generations of laboratory experimentation, stands as one of the most comprehensive investigations into the catalytic role of hybridisation in animal evolution. This body of work has significantly advanced the understanding of speciation and evolutionary divergence.
Over his academic career, he has mentored 12 doctoral scholars and authored over 125 research publications. His contributions to science and education have been recognised with numerous honours, including the INSA Young Scientist Medal (1979), UGC Career Award (1986), Golden Jubilee Award, University of Mysore (1994), Professor Y.T. Thathachari National Award for Science (2003) and Aryabhata Award (2008)
Dr Ranganath is also a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore; the National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad; and a Foundation Fellow of the Entomology Academy of India.
His rare combination of scientific depth and policy leadership continues to influence India’s higher education ecosystem and inspire the next generation of educators and researchers.
