Dr. D.V.S. Bhagavanulu is an academician, researcher, and administrator who obtained his doctorate from IIT, Madras and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Fluid Control Research Institute, Palghat, Kerala. He started his career as an Assistant Professor at VIT University, Vellore, and thereafter, occupied many positions at VIT such as Head of the Department, Civil Engineering, Associate Dean (e-Learning, Academic Staff College and Library Services), Dean (Centre for Industry Institute Interaction), Dean (Academics) and Deputy Director (Centre for Disaster Mitigation and Management). As a key member of the VIT family, journeyed from Vellore Engineering College to Vellore Institute of Technology to Deemed University to the present status of the University, steering the progress of the institution as an important functionary.
He has given guidance and formulated the ‘Relative Grading System’ at VIT University, which has been followed since 2003 at the university.
He was the Chairman of the Committee formed to ‘Revise the Examination System’ at VIT University. The accelerated growth of the University can be attributed to the implementation of his recommendations given as a Committee Member for ‘Organizational Re-structuring of the University’s Functioning’. Helped to establish the present-day high academic standards as a Member of the Board of Studies and the Academic Council. Also, he has been the Chairman of the Committee designed to ‘Introduce Flexible Credit System’ at VIT University. The accomplishments in the academic field at the National level are well rewarded by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Southern Region, Bangalore through an offer to be a Member of its Education Subcommittee. Contributed to the well-acclaimed infrastructure growth of the University as a Member of the Planning and Monitoring Board and also a member of the Standing Committee for providing intermittent decisions for the immediate implementation for the smooth conduct of the University. Played a key role in all the accreditations through administrative activities of VIT in various accreditations from ISO, NBA, NAAC, IET (UK), Energy Institute (UK) and a Coordinating Member of ABET Accreditation Team. Not only at VIT, contributed to the growth of Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions to its present status as Mohan Babu University. Guided in the design and development of curriculum for UG Programs in REVA University as per NEP and established academic audit procedure and quality policy at the University.
Deputed as Director, Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP), NAE, USA when implemented at Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions, Tirupati. Has been quite active in research and published 159 papers in Refereed Journals and the proceedings of International and National Conferences. The research areas include Boundary Layers, Jets, Water Management, and Reservoir Simulation, etc. He has been the awardee of Excellence in Engineering Education by MWH Soft Inc., USA. Completed a worth of Rs. 1 crore projects funded by DST, AICTE, TNPCB, and MWH, USA. He has been a life member of the Institution of Engineers (India), the National Society for Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Power, ISTE, ISG, SSI, etc.