Professor Sanjay K. Nayak is the Vice-Chancellor of Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha, one of the oldest heritage educational institutions of eastern India. 

Prof. Nayak, has a distinguished career spanning over 35 years of experience in diverse capacities in the spheres of teaching, research and governance. He was formerly the  Director General & the Principal Academic Officer of Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), earlier known as Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology, a premier National Technical Institute for Higher Technical Education having pan-India presence under Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Govt. of India.

Being a passionate educationist, Prof. Nayak holds dual Ph.D Degree, both in Science & Engineering, and also D.Sc Degree on “Advanced Thermoplastic Composites & Nanocomposites” independently. He has served as Adjunct Professor for a few internationally renowned Universities.

Prof. Nayak has been known for his pioneering research in the fields of Eco friendly Composites, Nanocomposites, Bio Polymers and value addition of Plastics from E-waste. He is the author/editor of 30 Books / Book Chapters with leading International publishers.  He has published more than 500 Research Papers in Peer Reviewed International Journals and has more than 50 Patents & Registered Product Designs to his credit.

He has been a mentor and guide to his group of faculty members, scientists and Ph. D. scholars in all their ventures. He has mentored more than 50 scholars for Ph.D. programme and 75 students for their M. Tech/ M.E. thesis. His career exhibits abiding and keen interest in designing various academic, scientific and administrative policies, for promoting the role of Petrochemical industry in socio-economic growth of the country.

Prof. Nayak is the recipient of ‘Distinguished Scientist Award’ in appreciation to his contribution to Polymer Science & Technology by Asian Polymer Association (APA), and ‘Commendable Faculty Award’ for Research in Material Science. He has received National Awards for Technology Innovations in Petrochemicals and Downstream Plastics Processing Industry by Govt. of India.. He has been conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award by FICCI and Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals for distinguished contribution to Indian Plastic Industry in recognition of his outstanding leadership and tireless efforts over the years for the growth of Indian Plastic Industry. Besides, for his seminal contribution to Nation Building in the sphere of Science and Technology, he has been awarded with Honoris Causa (Honorary Doctorate) conferred by Utkal University (2017).

He has been featured as one of the top 2% of the Global Scientists in the field of Polymers in a study by Prestigious Stanford University, USA based on the databases of Standardised Indicators, Composite Citation Index, h-index, co-authorship adjusted HM-index and Citations to papers in different authorship positions.

Professor Nayak has quintessentially remained committed to the cause of promoting “Academia-industry interface”. He has passionately been wedded to the idea of broadening the horizon of academic and research capabilities based on innovative and cutting edge educational programmes with technical orientations for the Indian young population in order to shape a largest pool of industry – ready workforce for the manufacturing sector across the globe. He fosters research and development illuminated through his path breaking technological developments in the field of Polymer Science Engineering and Technology. His research refreshingly foregrounds the ethical dimension of privileging the mutual needs of the industry and the society for contributing to the ideal of holistic growth that combines the development of a sustainable environment while ensuring progressive growth for the national and global economy.