Major Initiatives as PSA
Dr. Abdul Kalam, as the first PSA was responsible for evolving policies, strategies and missions for many development applications.
Significant Awards
Profile
- Graduated in Science from St. Joseph's College, Trichy in 1954 and specialized in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1957
- At Indian Space Research Organisation, served as Project Director and developed India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3)
- Responsible for the evolution of ISRO's launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration
- As Chief Executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), he developed the Indigenous Guided Missiles at Defence Research and Development Organisation
- Created Research Centre Imarat for advanced technologies
- Was the Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development between 1992-1999
- Became the 11th President of India on 25th July 2002
Awards
- 2007 - the King Charles-II Medal for Science and Technology by The Royal Society, UK
- 2008 - Woodrow Wilson Award
- 2009 - International Medal by The Royal Academy of Engineering, London
- 2009 - Hoover Medal 2008 by The Hoover Board of Awards
- 2009 - International Von Karman Wings Award by The Aerospace Historical Society in Collaboration with the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT)
Honorary Doctorates
Dr. Kalam has the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 48 Universities and institutions from India and abroad. Major Universities include:
- Nyenrode Business University
- Netherlands; Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore; Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh, USA
- University of Wolverhampton, UK
- University of Kentucky, USA
- Oakland University, Michigan USA
- University of Waterloo, Canada
- University Sans Malaysia, Malaysia
- University Australia
- The Simon Fraser University, Vancouver
