The department hosted a felicitation program in honor of Prof. S. Asokan on his superannuation. Prof. Asokan has had a long and distinguished association with IISc, spanning over four decades, with significant contributions to research, teaching, institution building, and academic leadership. He had served as the Chair of IAP from 2016-2023, before being appointed as the Dean, Faculty of Science in 2024. This occasion was an opportunity for us to celebrate his career and contributions, and to share our good wishes as he embarks on the next chapter of his journey.
Prof. Asokan gave a fascinating talk, highlighting the defining research directions of his group – chalcogenide glasses, electrical switching and phase change memories, and fibre Bragg grating sensors. The talk was sprinkled with anecdotes, poetry, and remarkable stories, making it an engaging experience for students and faculty alike. We thank Prof. Asokan for the wonderful evening, and for being a pillar of strength and inspiration for so many of us over the years.
