Prof. Dr. R. Elijah Blessing is a distinguished leader in both academia and industry collaboration, currently serving as the Pro Vice Chancellor (Academics & Industry Collaborations) at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, a leading Category 1 Deemed University accredited with an A++ grade by NAAC. Renowned for his visionary leadership, Dr. Blessing has significantly advanced innovation and fostered strong ties between academia and industry.
As the Director of the Karunya Incubation Foundation (KIF), a Section 8 company, Dr. Blessing has been instrumental in nurturing high-potential startups and spearheading the Karunya Technology Business Incubation Park (K-TBIP). Under his leadership, K-TBIP has become a thriving hub for emerging technologies and pioneering innovations, particularly in computer and electrical engineering domains.
With a career spanning around three decades at Karunya, Dr. Blessing has held pivotal roles, including Registrar from 2017 to 2024, Director of Collaborations from 2015 to 2017, and Director of the School of Computer Science and Technology from 2008 to 2015. His tenure has seen substantial academic and research advancements, significantly elevating the institution’s reputation.
Dr. Blessing holds a Master of Engineering degree with distinction from the College of Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, and a Ph.D. in Information and Communication Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University. His research expertise encompasses network security, mobile computing, wireless and ad hoc networks, medical image processing, parallel and distributed computing, grid computing, and pervasive computing.
An accomplished researcher, Dr. Blessing has published extensively in prestigious journals, including Elsevier and Springer, and serves as an Associate Editor, as well as on the editorial boards of several peer-reviewed journals. Recognized as an expert by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) and the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC), he has also secured funding from the Indian Council of Medical Research for his pioneering work in health systems research.
Dr. Blessing is a prominent member of professional bodies like IEEE, CSI, and ISTE. His contributions extend globally as an international advisory board member for various high-profile conferences and workshops. His commitment to innovation and excellence continues to inspire and shape the future of both academia and industry.
