Meet Our Leadership Team
Our Leaders
At the heart of SASTRA Online’s success lies a leadership team that blends vision with action, tradition with innovation, and academic excellence with real-world relevance.
Guided by the values that have shaped SASTRA University’s legacy, our leadership is committed to ensuring that online learners receive the same quality, credibility, and support as on-campus students. From curriculum design and faculty engagement to student services and technology integration, every decision is made with the learner in mind.
Under the stewardship of forward-thinking academic leaders and dedicated administrators, SASTRA Online continues to evolve—expanding access, enhancing learning experiences, and upholding the standards that define SASTRA.
It’s not just about delivering education online. It’s about leading a transformation—one that empowers thousands to learn, grow, and succeed in a world that’s constantly changing.
Academics Director
Dr. Y.B. Venkatakrishnan serves as the Academic Directorate and Director of Online & Distance Education at SASTRA Deemed University. A distinguished professor with over three decades of teaching experience, he is the recipient of the Guru Sreshta Award for Best Pedagogical Teaching.
His research spans Graph Theory, with 80+ peer-reviewed publications indexed in Scopus and SCI. He has completed funded research projects under NBHM and DST, and currently holds the prestigious title of Indo-G20 Chair Professor in Mathematics.
Dr. Venkatakrishnan is a Life Member of the Ramanujan Mathematical Society (RMS), ADMA, and several other leading mathematical associations. He also contributes internationally as an invited reviewer for both the American Mathematical Society and Zentralblatt MATH.
Coordinators
Undergraduation Programmes
Dr. Vijay Anand
Senior Assistant Professor (Grade-II), School of Management, SASTRA Deemed University
Dr. Vijay Anand is an accomplished academic with over 20 years of experience in management education. He holds two Ph.D. degrees—in Human Resource Management from SASTRA University and in Marketing from MS University—along with an MBA and dual M.Phils. He is also UGC-NET qualified.
His areas of expertise include HRM, Organisational Behaviour, Marketing, Change Management, and Entrepreneurship Development. A prolific researcher, he has published 100+ papers in peer-reviewed and SCOPUS-indexed journals, along with five case studies, and has presented at numerous national and international conferences.
Dr. Vijay Anand has received the Faculty Research Award by Careers360 and the Best Teacher Award for 2023–24. He currently supervises three Ph.D. scholars and actively contributes to the School of Management through seminars, guest lectures, and academic events. He also serves as NSS Programme Coordinator and is a certified MY Bharat Portal Trainer with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
Dr. Prabaharan L
Dr. L. Prabaharan has been with the School of Computing at SASTRA Deemed University since 2006, bringing nearly two decades of experience in teaching and academic leadership. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering (2023), along with an M.Tech, M.Phil, and MCA.
He has taught a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses—from Programming Languages to XML Applications—and currently serves as the Programme Manager and Course Coordinator for the BCA programme. He has mentored over 40 academic projects, developed a MOOC in XML Applications, and published 10+ research papers in reputed international and SCIE-indexed journals.
His areas of expertise include Image Processing, Computer Vision, and Music Information Technology, and he is trained in ‘High Impact Teaching Skills’ through WIPRO’s Mission10X initiative.
Dr. Shobhana N.
Assistant Professor, School of Management, SASTRA Deemed to be University
Dr. Shobhana N. is an experienced academic in Human Resource Management with over 22 years of teaching postgraduate students in Business Administration. She holds a Ph.D. in Women Entrepreneurship from Anna University, Chennai. A passionate educator, she has guided nearly 90 MBA student projects and contributed to online content development in areas such as Business Organisation, Strategic Management, and Supply Chain Management.
She has published several research papers in Scopus-indexed journals and served as a resource person in faculty and entrepreneurship development programmes. As the B.Com Online Coordinator for the past five years, she plays a key role in academic planning and delivery. Her research interests include HRM, Marketing, Innovation, and Supply Chain Management. Known for her effective communication and student-centric approach, Dr. Shobhana remains deeply committed to continuous learning and academic excellence.
Postgraduation Programmes
Dr. Srinivasa Kumar V
Dr. Srinivasa Kumar is an Associate Professor in the School of Computing at SASTRA Deemed to be University, where he has served since 2003. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science & Engineering, his research expertise lies in wireless networks, security, and Internet of Things (IoT). Over the years, he has published extensively in reputed international journals and conferences and guided numerous undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
Dr. Kumar is also actively involved in curriculum design, academic administration, and mentoring young researchers. A dedicated educator with over two decades of experience, he brings deep technical knowledge and a passion for innovation to both teaching and research. He remains committed to advancing the field through collaborative projects and meaningful academic engagement.
Dr. Nithya R
Assistant Professor, School of Computing, SASTRA Deemed University
Dr. Nithya R has been part of SASTRA Deemed University since 2009 and currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing. She completed her Master of Computer Applications (MCA) from SASTRA in 2009 and went on to earn her Ph.D. in Medical Image Analysis from the same institution in 2018.
Her research interests lie in the intersection of computing and healthcare, with a focus on advanced image processing techniques. She continues to contribute to academic excellence through teaching, mentoring, and research in the field of computer science.
Dr. Kannan T
Dr. Venugopalan S
Dr. Venugopalan S is a Professor in the School of Arts, Sciences, Humanities & Education at SASTRA Deemed to be University, serving in the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE). With advanced academic training including Vyakarana Siromani, an M.A., and a Ph.D. in Yajurveda, he brings deep scholarly expertise in classical Indian disciplines.
His areas of interest span Sanskrit Vyakarana, Ayurveda, Yoga Shastra, the Vedas and their branches, and the broader Indian Knowledge Systems. Dr. Venugopalan is deeply committed to preserving and disseminating traditional wisdom through academic research, teaching, and public engagement. His work bridges ancient texts and contemporary relevance, enriching learners with insights grounded in India’s rich intellectual heritage.