Rishi Raj to head Society of Indian Academics

Dr Rishi S Raj, chair, faculty senate, City College of New York, has been elected president, Society of Indian Academics in America.

Professor Hrishikesh D Vinod of Fordham University was elected vice president of the organisation, Professor Surendra Kaushik, Pace University, the secretary, and Professor M G Prasad, Stevens Tech, New Jersey, the treasurer.

The society aims to bring together over 20,000 faculty members of Indian origin in the United States and use their expertise to help the education system in India. It also aims to bring US-Indian intellectuals closer to benefit young minds and uplift science and technology.

Raj received his master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia and PhD (aerospace) from Penn State University. He designed India's first transonic and supersonic test rig at the National Aerospace Laboratory in Bangalore.