Leadership guiding the Alagappa Group of Educational Institutions
Dr. Ramanathan Vairavan serves as the Chairman and Secretary of the Alagappa Group of Educational Institutions, overseeing and managing the education of over 8,000 students across the group's colleges and schools.
Dr. Vairavan holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from AC Tech (Alagappa College of Technology), an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University, and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was awarded his doctorate from Alagappa University in 2018.
A visionary leader committed to expanding access to quality education, Dr. Vairavan founded the Alagappa Performing Arts Academy in 2005, dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional performing arts of Tamil Nadu. He also established the Alagappa Institute of Information Technology in 1999, equipping students with modern technology skills to thrive in the digital era.
Beyond his role in the Alagappa institutions, Dr. Vairavan serves as the President of Tamil Isai Sangam and is a Syndicate Member at Alagappa University, contributing to the strategic direction and governance of higher education in the region.
Dr. Mrs. Umayal Ramanathan, the beloved daughter of the founder Dr. R.M. Alagappa Chettiar, served as Secretary of the Alagappa Educational Trust for decades, carrying forward her father's vision of educational excellence with unwavering dedication.
She was instrumental in the founding of Alagappa University in 1985, a milestone that cemented the legacy of the Alagappa educational movement and elevated it to the level of a state university offering a wide range of academic programs.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to education and social welfare, Dr. Umayal Ramanathan was honoured with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award in 1994. She was also conferred the Doctor of Letters by Alagappa University in 1987 and by Madras University in 2007, reflecting the deep respect and admiration she commanded in academic circles.
