ECE NEWS
ECE Alumnus Balaji Sampath Wins MIT Global Indus Technovator Award
January 19, 2006

Maryland alumnus Dr. Balaji Sampath, a former student of Professor K. J. Ray Liu (ECE/ISR) in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Institute for Systems Research, was awarded the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Indus Technovator Award for his work with the Association for India's Development (AID), a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to promoting sustainable, equitable and just development in India, particularly at the country’s grassroots.

As a student, Sampath ranked at the top of the Indian National College Entrance Examination, and graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, with a GPA of 9.41 out of 10. He also had the title of “All Indian First” in India’s National Physics Competition, and later enrolled at the University of Maryland with a graduate school fellowship.

While he studied as a graduate student at the University of Maryland, Sampath was instrumental in expanding AID's chapter base to many cities across the U.S. Upon completing his Ph.D. in 1997, he returned to India as an AID Fellow. Based in Chennai, Dr. Sampath works with the Tamil Nadu Science Forum, particularly in the areas of community health, education initiatives and women's savings groups.

"After graduating from Maryland, Balaji had some good opportunities in the U.S., but he went back to India without regret," said Professor Liu. "He believed someone had to do something to help those unfortunate people. I am very glad that he has been recognized for his work."

Among his accomplishments, Dr. Sampath’s AID-team has established Ganini Computer and Information Centres, which offer low cost computer education. Each center serves about 30-60 villages.

Dr. Sampath’s team has also created a mathematical model for malnutrition studies from data gathered as part of the Arrogya Iyyakam project. In each block of about 30 villages, the health needs of about 30,000 families are addressed. This project was recently judged one of the ten best projects in the world by UNICEF.

Dr. Sampath’s team has also developed the use of a digital data card for use in Self Help Groups and other development related areas. The impact of their work has been seen in several villages, which are now able to generate their own funds and sustain their own community development programs with the help of the new technology.

Recently, Dr. Sampath, in his capacity as the AID Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation campaign leader, was elected as an Ashoka Fellow.

For more information, visit:
http://technovators.mit.edu/winner05.php#10


For more information, contact Director of Public Relations Ted Knight at 301-405-3596, or teknight@umd.edu.


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