A Great Honour for our Alumnus | Dr. Narasinga Rao
The “Grandfather of Undergraduate Research in Oklahoma”
University of Central Oklahama
Dr. Narasinga Rao is fondly known as the “Grandfather of Undergraduate Research in Oklahoma”. Dr. Rao also had the privilege of studying under Nobel Laureates, Dr. Herbert Hauptman and Sir John Eccles.
When he visited us in MCC, [on 25th & 27th May 2024 in MCC], he had given us a subtle cue and a clue – that an Endowed India Scholar Program was being planned in his honour by the University of Oklahama quite shortly.
And last week he mailed us the good news that, it had happened!
The University of Central Oklahama had instituted the Endowed India Scholar Program to his honour! And how!!
About the Dr. S. Narasinga Rao Endowed India Scholar Program
The University of Central Oklahoma Foundation has established the Dr. S. Narasinga Rao Endowed India Scholar Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering academic collaboration and cultural exchange between India and the United States.
This program honors the esteemed contributions of Dr. S. Narasinga Rao, emeritus dean of research and professor of physics and engineering, who has played a pivotal role in enhancing education and research at UCO.
The endowed program will facilitate visits from distinguished scholars, professors, and artists from India to UCO, enriching the campus community through lectures, performances, internships, and collaborative research. It aims to create a vibrant platform for knowledge sharing and support the study of Indian culture, philosophy, and humanities within a global educational context.
According to a press release from University of Central Oklahama -
Dr. Rao’s visionary leadership has already left an indelible mark on UCO, including the introduction of Sanskrit and Ethno-Musicology courses. His foresight in securing external funding has established important programs that elevate the university’s position in academics and research.
The India Scholar Program represents another step forward in UCO’s commitment to international scholarship.
“Education has become global, and everyone needs to interact and understand each other,” Dr. Rao said. “This program will enhance collaborative projects and discussions that allow students to learn from one another, building a strong support network across countries.”
The program will offer paid research internships to qualified graduate students from India, allowing them to gain valuable experience while contributing to UCO’s research endeavors. Dr. Rao and faculty advisors from Indian institutions will direct the selection process, ensuring that the program upholds academic excellence and relevance.
Dr. Rao’s contributions to undergraduate research have been recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and in 2024, UCO marked the 25th anniversary of Oklahoma Research Day, an event founded by Dr. Rao in 1999. This year also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the India Association of Oklahoma, further highlighting Dr. Rao’s lasting influence in the state.
UCO invites local communities and organizations to celebrate the launch of the Dr. S. Narasinga Rao Endowed India Scholar Program and its ongoing commitment to enriching the educational landscape through international collaboration.
For more information about the program and how to get involved, please contact the UCO Foundation at foundation@uco.edu.
About Dr. S. Narasinga Rao
Dr. S. Narasinga Rao, fondly known as the “Grandfather of Undergraduate Research in Oklahoma”, is a proud alumnus of Madras Christian College. Dr. Rao also has the privilege of studying under Nobel Laureates, Dr. Herbert Hauptman and Sir John Eccles. He is Professor Emeritus, Department of Physics and Engineering, University of Central Oklahoma.
He was back in his alma mater Madras Christian College on 25th and 27th May 2025 to relive and relish his good old days in MCC. Reminiscing on those memorable days of yore, he said that –
Narayanan, IAS, Former Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister, who was responsible for implementation of economic policies of several Ministries, was my student in MCC. He then became his colleague. There was another Narayan in the same batch. He became the Ambassador to Switzerland for six years. When I went to a conference in Hyderabad two years ago, I met him there.
MM. Rajendran, [Former Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, and Governor of Orissa] was my Demonstrator in MCC. He was one year senior to me. K. Ragunath, [who served as the Foreign Secretary of India, and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh as well as Ambassador to Russia, Nigeria and the Philippines], and K. Raman were brothers. They both studied here.
BPR Vittal, IAS, Former Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and Secretary, Finance and Planning, government of Andhra Pradesh, from 1972 to 1982, and had a brief stint at the International Monetary Fund as fiscal adviser to the governments of Sudan and Malawi, was my friend,
he observed.
Born in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu in 1938, Dr. Rao did his BSc in Physics in Madras Christian College, Tambaram from 1955 – 58. He then served as a Demonstrator in Physics, in MCC, for three years. After completing his MSc in Physics with MCC in 1962, Dr. Rao, went on to become a Lecturer in Physics, in MCC from 1962-67. After having done his MSc in Physics in McMaster University, Canada, 1969, he then completed his PhD in State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, in the year 1973.
From 1973 – 83, he served as Senior Research Scientist with Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. He then went on to become a Professor of Physics and Engineering with University of Central Oklahoma, from 1983-2009.
From 1990 – 2009, he was Dean of Joe C Jackson College of Graduate Studies and Research. From 2009 till date, he is Emeritus Professor and Graduate Dean, with the University of Central Oklahoma.
PS: You may want to read our past post on the Rendezvous with Dr. Rao, HERE.
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