Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

                                                                           In the office from November 1999 to November 2001

Major Initiatives as PSA:

Dr. Abdul Kalam, as the first PSA, was responsible for evolving policies, strategies and missions for many developments applications.

Significant Awards:

1981 - Padma Bhushan
1990 - Padma Vibhushan
1997 - Bharat Ratna

Profile:

1. Graduated in Science from St. Joseph's College, Trichy in 1954 and specialized in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1957

2. At Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), served as Project Director and developed India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3)

3. Responsible for the evolution of ISRO's launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration

3. As Chief Executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), he developed the Indigenous Guided Missiles at Defence Research and Development Organisation

5. Created Research Centre Imarat for advanced technologies

6. Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development between 1992-1999

7. 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 in 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 of Australia
·       The Simon Fraser University, Vancouver