Great Vice Chancellors from Kanyakumari,  Part   III:

Dr. Sudalyandi  Kaliappan ,  B.E., M.Tech, Ph. D., [U.S] :      Dr. S. Kaliappan  from Kanyakumari District  had the unique privilege to work as the first Vice Chancellor of  Anna University, Tiruneveli.  He was born on 11th January , 1958 in Kanyakumari district and he is  a native of  Erachakulam village located in a lovely idyllic landscape, near  Nagercoil  . By sheer hard work  and unquenchable thirst for knowledge he reached the peak in the field of education , engineering   and research. The trajectory of his life travel  and educational voyage  is an inspiration to every body especially to those  neglected and poor students and younger  generation .

Educational  Qualifications  of Dr, kaliappan: : Education is the infrastructure of equality, social status and enlightenment.  Dr. S. Kaliappan was well aware of this great  truth from his childhood.  Shakespeare said, some are born  great and some achieve greatness  and certainly  Dr. Kaliapan belongs  to the second category.  Dr. S. Kaliapan was born in a very poor family   and  really  there was nobody  either to  help him monetarily or  to motivate him  with  inspiring  goals.  But he had a tryst with destiny about his educational accomplishments and so has achieved  the  dreams and goals  of his  life.

Due to his impecunious  family  background ,  he did his Diploma in Civil Engineering  at  Nagercoil  at  the Government  Polytechnic  College [1975-1978]   .  He successfully completed   his  B.E [Civil Engineering] in the year 1985; at the  College of Engineering , Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, [1982-1985] .   As a shrewd student , in tune with the  changing times  he selected a new subject, "Remote Sensing "  for  his   Post Graduation studies . As a visionary  in tune with his goal ,  he successfully completed his M.Tech, at  the College of Engineering , Guindy,  Anna University, Chennai. [1986-1989] . Then he went to U.S.A. to do his doctoral studies  and he successfully did his prestigious  Ph.D  , in  Environmental  Engineering , in the famous " Illinois Institute of Technology" , Chicago, U.S.[1991-1996]. 

Employment  of  Dr. S. Kaliappan:  He started his  teaching career as lecturer/ Assistant Professor  of Civil Engineering at the College of Engineering , Anna University, Chennai [1989-2000]. Step by step he became the Professor of Civil  Engineering  Department at  the College of Engineering ,Guindy ,  Anna University [  February 2005-March 2011].  He also had  the  privilege to work as Professor and Director at the Institute of Remote Sensing , College of Engineering , Guindy, Anna University, Chennai [October 2005-Sept 2007].  He  had been discharging   his teaching responsibilities and  duties  with great  distinction and dedication and so,  better opportunities knocked at his door.

Vice Chancellor Dr. S. Kaliappan :  He  was appointed as the first Vice Chancellor of  the newly formed "Anna University" , Tirunelveli and he took charge as the Vice Chancellor of Anna University , Tirunelveli, in Septemer , 2007.  All the Engineering Colleges located in Tirunelveli dist, Madurai dist, Virudhunagar dist, Thuthukudi dist  and Kanyakumari district  are  affiliated  to the Anna university, Tirunelveli.  He proved himself not only as a good teacher abut also as  a good administrator. He was  working  as  the   Vice Chancellor of the Anna University , Tirunelveli , till September 2010, in a remarkable manner.

He has  published articles  in the international journals and magazines: To his credit  he has got many research articles  published  in  the  following  research journals and magazines : International Journal of Science and Technology ,  International Journal on Computer Science and Engineering ,  Vienamis Journal of Environmental Science and Technology,   Biotechnology and Bio-process   Engineering ,   Solar Energy , Water Quality Research  Journal of Canada .

He has also co -authored a famous book : Target Identification in  Multi Spectral  Images  Using in -Situ Hyper -Spectral  Reflectance .

He is a member  in many  globally famous Groups and  Associations  example :  the  American  Society  for Photogrammetry  and Remote sensing;  Engineering journals and magazines,  IEEE. Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society [IEEE GRSS] , The Society of  Environmental  Engineers [SEE] and in  some other Associations.

Conclusion .  After retirement he has been living in his native village , Erachakulam , identifying himself with the ordinary people of his village and district and also with the intellectuals.. He is one of the intellectual giants of  Kanyakumari District .  He is an eloquent orator also. By accident of birth he was born in a poor and disadvantaged  family , but by his indomitable will power and ceaseless perseverance  he made himself a worthy son of Kanyakumari  district and India and faced  all types of challenges  with great courage and conviction.  He is Great Social  thinker also , he is a crusader for the cause of social  justice , knowledge  and research .

P. Babu Manoharan. [Rights reserved.  This Article will be modified or altered if needed later]