Image Source: IIT Hyderabad
Key Highlights
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Professor B S Murty, acclaimed materials scientist and Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H), has been appointed President of the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), the country’s foremost professional body for metallurgists and materials engineers
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Prof Murty’s leadership is seen as transformative, owing to his globally recognized work in advanced alloys, nanomaterials, and additive manufacturing
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The appointment comes at a critical time, as India ramps up efforts to become a global hub for advanced materials, critical minerals, and green manufacturing
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Murty will oversee key initiatives in education, R&D collaborations, industry-academia partnerships, and the promotion of sustainable materials technology across Indian industry and academia
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The IIM, founded in 1946, represents over 11,000 professionals, researchers, and industry leaders, and acts as the premier platform for knowledge exchange, policy input, and technological advancement in the metals sector
Prof BS Murty: Visionary in Metallurgy and Materials Science
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Professor Balla Srinivasa Murty is widely acknowledged for his pioneering research spanning bulk metallic glasses, high entropy alloys, and nanostructured materials. Under his stewardship, IIT-H has emerged as a frontrunner in materials innovation, hosting India’s first National Centre for Additive Manufacturing and the ground-breaking Centre for Tribal Development. Highlights of his professional journey include:
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Over 500 peer-reviewed publications and several patents in the fields of non-equilibrium processing, advanced alloy design, and green processing of critical metals
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Recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in Engineering Sciences, INAE Fellow status, and the National Metallurgist Award
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Mentor and collaborator on cross-border research with institutions such as Tohoku University (Japan), and active participant in joint Indo-Japan and Indo-US projects on futuristic manufacturing
Roadmap as IIM President: Priorities and Vision
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Strengthening the Knowledge Ecosystem
Prof Murty aims to modernize IIM’s continuing education programs, integrate digital platforms, and launch micro-credentials in areas such as AI in metallurgy, battery materials, and hydrogen-based steelmaking
Plans to reinforce linkages with IITs, NITs, and international universities for global research and dual-degree opportunities
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Boosting Industry-Academia Collaboration
Will spearhead new industry cells that align graduate research with national manufacturing missions (e.g., Indian Railways, Defence, EV batteries, and aerospace materials)
Promises to expand collaborative research consortia, pilot projects, and internships with steel, aluminium, and specialty alloy companies
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Advocacy for Sustainable Metallurgy and Technology
Plans to initiate national dialogues on decarbonization, recycling, and responsible mining, with IIM actively providing technical policy inputs to governmental missions like Atmanirbhar Bharat, National Infrastructure Pipeline, and India’s newly launched Critical Minerals Strategy
Envisions India’s rise as a net exporter of high-value materials via next-generation foundries, circular economy policies, and clean energy integration
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Promoting Diversity and Young Talent
Murty will lead targeted outreach for students from underrepresented backgrounds, with scholarships, competitions, and mentorship for young metallurgists and women in materials science
Plans to reinvigorate IIM’s annual conferences and research contests, making them engines for both early-stage innovation and professional networking
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Impact on Indian and Global Metallurgical Community
Industry reactions signal optimism, as India faces both opportunities and challenges: soaring demand for new alloys in electric vehicles and defence, urgent need for recycling technologies, and global leadership in green steel
Under Murty’s vision, IIM is poised to play a strategic role in shaping curriculum reforms, bridging research-to-market gaps, and steering the policy dialogue for the sector
Conclusion
With the appointment of Prof B S Murty as President, the Indian Institute of Metals enters an ambitious new chapter. Tasked with unifying research, industry, and policy at a transformative time for Indian manufacturing, his stewardship is expected to accelerate the growth of modern metallurgy, sustainable materials innovation, and technical excellence that will keep India at the forefront of global materials science.
Sources: Economic Times, Business Standard, Times of India
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