Indian-American Anantha Chandrakasan appointed as MIT’s next provost

In a historic appointment, Indian-origin academic Anantha Chandrakasan has been named the next provost of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), becoming the first Indian-American to hold this prestigious position.

He will assume office on July 1.

Currently serving as MIT’s chief innovation and strategy officer and Dean of Engineering, Chandrakasan has long been a central figure in the institution’s academic and strategic advancements. Born in Chennai, India, he has been with MIT for decades, steadily rising through the ranks.

MIT President Sally Kornbluth, announcing the appointment, said Chandrakasan was selected from a group of exceptional internal candidates. She praised his “exceptional record of shaping and leading important innovations for the Institute.”

The role of provost, considered the Institute’s top academic and budget officer, involves wide-ranging responsibilities from faculty oversight and educational planning to strategic budgeting and long-term institutional priorities.

In his official statement, Chandrakasan said he is “deeply honoured” to step into this role. “Looking ahead, I see myself as a key facilitator, enabling faculty, students, postdocs, and staff to continue making extraordinary contributions to the nation and the world,” he added.

Kornbluth noted that Chandrakasan is taking on this leadership post at a “perilous” time for the institution. She pointed to growing uncertainties surrounding federal support, international talent retention, and the broader research environment.

“In a time of such intense pressure and potentially historic change, I am particularly grateful that we will be able to draw on Anantha’s depth and breadth of experience; his nimbleness, entrepreneurial spirit, and boundless energy; his remarkable record in raising funds from outside sources for important ideas; and his profound commitment to MIT’s mission,” she said.

The Indian Consulate in New York also congratulated him, highlighting his work as a “strong advocate of India-USA technological & R&D collaboration.” They acknowledged his ongoing partnerships with the Indian government and private sector entities and wished him success in his new role.

As provost, Chandrakasan will also oversee several affiliated institutes and lead a team of vice provosts managing key areas including the arts, campus space planning, international relations, faculty affairs, and MIT’s Open Learning initiative.

He has served as dean of the School of Engineering since 2017 and was appointed as MIT’s first chief innovation and strategy officer in 2024. Before these roles, he led the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), the largest department at MIT, for six years, and previously directed the Microsystems Technology Laboratories.

Kornbluth, who appointed him as the inaugural chief innovation officer, praised his “can-do attitude, creativity, enthusiasm, strategic insight, fluency across a wide range of subject areas, and gift for engaging industry allies and donors.” He will succeed Cynthia Barnhart, who announced her decision to step down earlier this year.

As MIT’s academic head, Chandrakasan plans to focus on three primary goals: institutional needs and financial planning, recruiting and retaining global talent, and advancing interdisciplinary programs in research, education, and entrepreneurship.

“Recognising that each school and other academic units operate within a unique context, I plan to engage deeply with their leaders to understand their challenges and aspirations. This will help me refine and set the priorities for the Office of the Provost,” he said.

He also intends to establish advisory groups that include faculty, students, postdocs, and external stakeholders to ensure inclusive decision-making. “My goal is to continue to facilitate excellence at MIT at all levels,” Chandrakasan said.

He emphasised the importance of MIT’s role in leading global innovation. “There is a tremendous opportunity for MIT to be at the centre of the innovations in areas where the United States wants to lead. It’s about AI. It’s about semiconductors. It’s about quantum, biosecurity, and biomanufacturing space — but not only that,” he noted.

Chandrakasan also spoke about the significance of integrating human-centered thinking into STEM education. “We need students who can do more than just code or design or build. We really need students who understand the human perspective and human insights. This is why collaborations between STEM fields and the humanities, arts, and social sciences, such as through the new MIT Human Insights Collaborative, are so important,” he said.

He holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in electrical engineering and computer sciences from the University of California, Berkeley, and has dedicated his career to advancing education, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration at MIT.