Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) has introduced Honorary Fellow-Grade Membership from 2000, for its members, who are persons of eminence in the field of Engineering and Technology and have made significant contribution to the development of Technical Education and activities of ISTE at State/National level.

The Search Committee constituted by the Executive Council of ISTE have recommended the following five persons for the conferment of Fellowship for the year 2005. The Fellowship will be presented during the inaugural function of XXXV Annual Convention of ISTE to be held at Bapuji Institute of Engineering & Technology, Davangere, Karnataka during December 15-17, 2005.

1. Prof. V.R. Deshpande, former Vice Chancellor Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere
2. Prof. P.V. Gupta, Educational Advisor Appejay Educational Society, New Delhi
3. Prof. M.S. Palanichamy, Vice Chancellor Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai
4. Prof. D.P. Agrawal, Member, UPSE, New Delhi

1. PROF. V.R. DESHPANDE

Prof. Deshpande was the First Vice Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere.

Presently, he is Vice Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Pune Kendra, Chairman of Senate and Academic Council of Modern Education Society, Pune and Vice-President, Alumni Association of Government College of Engineering, Pune. He was Vice President of ISTE (1988-90), Chairman, Pune Centre of The Institution of Engineers (1990-92), Principal of Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology (1981-91), Hosted XVIII Annual Convention of ISTE in 1988. Hosted VI Engineering Congress of The Institution of Engineers in 1991. Through British Council, Collaboratives were conducted with Granfield University, South Bank University and Middlesex University. Through ILO, Collaborative Programme were conducted for Nepal Government Polytechnic.

Executive Council Member of Indian Universities, New Delhi and Association of Commonwealth Universities, London. Member of Court and Council of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (1996-2000); Jadavpur University, Kolkata; Guru Jambheshwar University, Haryana. Fellow, The Institute of Engineers (India) and the Institute of Twon Planners (India). Implemented various projects of GoI, DST, AICTE, ILO, British Council UGC. etc.

2. PROF. P.V GUPTA

Born on 5.2.1930 in Jalandhar (Punjab), he received his school education in Lahore (now in Pakistan), College education in Jalandhar (Punjab), and Engineering education in Varanasi (U.P) and Toronto (Canada).

He graduated in Electrical & Mechanical Engineering from BHU in 1952. He completed his post graduation in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada in 1962.

He has done extensive work on the Phenomenon of "Corona" in the field of High Voltage Engineering, which has been published as research report by the University of Toronto and is widely quoted in books and reference journals.

During his 53 years of academic and administrative experience, he has held positions as Prof. & Head of the Deptt. of Electrical Engg. (1957 - 81) and Principal/ Director of Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala (1981 - 86), and as Principal of Regional Engineering College, Kurukshetra (1986 - 93). He has also been the Dean of Faculties of Engg. & Tech. of Punjabi University, Patiala and Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. Presently he is working as Professor Emeritus & Educational Advisor, Apeejay Education Society. It was during his tenure as Principal/Director, TIET, that TIET was declared a deemed University in 1985.

Prof. Gupta is member of ISTE and has been associated with it since 1953, Member of IETE (USA), Member of American Society for Engineering Education and Member of the Americal Society for Management Education. He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India). He has also been a member of many Advisory Committees, many State Boards of Technical Education, Academic Bodies of many Universities, Board of Governors of many Educational Institutions and Director of many companies.

He has been a scholarship holder throughout his academic career. He is a Gold Medalist of the Punjab University, for having stood first in the University in 1948 in Inter (Science). He received the National Foundation of Engineers' National Award for the year 1989 for the "Best Technical Educator" from the then Hon'ble Vice-President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma.

He has guided a number of M.E. and Ph.D. Theses in the field of Electrical Engineering. His expertise is in Management, Planning, Execution, and Development of Higher Professional Education.

3. DR. M.S. PALANICHAMY

Dr. Palanichamy was born on January 1, 1944. He has completed B.E. from PSG, Coimbatore, M.Tech. and Ph.D. from IIT, Madras. Presently he is Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai. He was Professor & Head, Civil Engg. Dept. for 17 years and than became Principal, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi. Dr. Palanichamy has 38 years experience in the field of Teaching/Research and Industry. He has established computer aided instructional resources production centre for Civil Engg. Dept. with a special focus on Structural Engineering from AICTE - Rs.5 lakhs.

Dr. Palanichamy was awarded Rastriya Rattan Award for his outstanding individual achievement and distinguished service to the Nation by Global Economic Council, New Delhi, Eminent Engineer Award given by the Institute of Engineers (India) and many more awards honoured to him. He has guided a number of Ph.D., M.E., and B.E. Theses/ Projects and published seven books. He has organised many Conference and Seminars in different states and and presented 69 papers in the reputed journals of technical education.

Dr. Palanichamy is a member of Executive Committee of AICTE for three years from April, 2005. Governor Nominee of the Academic Council, Anna University (2001-2003), Member of Board of Studies in Civil Engg., Anna University (2001-2003), Member of Sports Board, Anna University. Served as Chairman, Board of Studies in B.E. Civil Engg. & Architecture, M.E. (Civil/Structural Engg. Courses), Madurai Kamaraj University and a Life Fellow of many National, International and Professional Societies.

4. PROF. D.P. AGRAWAL 

Prof. D.P. Agrawal, Member, Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi was born on 2nd October, 1949. Completed his B.Sc. Engg. (Mechanical) from AMU, Aligarh , M.Tech. from IIT Delhi and Ph.D. from IIT Delhi.

He was founder Director, Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management (IITM), Gwalior (1998-2003), Joint Educational Advisor, Ministry of HRD (1994-1998), National Project Director (1994-1999) Technical Education Projects I & II, National Project Director, Indo-UK REC's Project (1995-1998), Chairman, Central Regional Committee, AICTE; Managing Director, Educational Consultant India Ltd., (EdCIL), Ministry of HRD (Jan-Aug-97); Dean, IIT Delhi (1991-1994). During his tenure he has prepared and developed many National level report like as Member Secretary of the Working Group prepared the 9th Plan Document for Technical Education in the Country for the Planning Commission and as Chairman, National Group for Technology Management prepared the Policy Document for DST.

Prof. Agrawal has delivered many lectures at various seminars/workshops and conventions. He is a fellow of Institution of Engineers, India; Member, Power Engineers Society, India; Life Member, ISTE, New Delhi; Life Member, FMFP and India Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Prof. Agrawal has been honoured for Life time contribution to Mechanical Engineering by IE(I) (2001); Conferred commendation for Excellence in Administration from IIT, Delhi in 1992 and many more prestigious awards. He has reviewed number of National and International journals in the area of mechanical engineering, power and turbo machines. He was examiner for Ph.D. and M.S. Theses of IITs, IISc. and Central Universities. Organised a number of seminar, workshops and continuing education programmes. Chaired number of sessions in National and International Conferences.

5. PROF. R.S. NIRJAR

Prof. R.S. Nirjar has declined the 'ISTE honorary fellow-grade membership 2005' to be conferred on him during the Annual convention of ISTE. This has been informed to all the Executive members through a letter from ISTE HQ, New Delhi.