G V Selvam

A man of few words, Mr.Selvam believes in and lives by the precept, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’ Mr. G V Selvam has been associated with the institution since 1999, when he first assumed office as Vice-Chairman of Vellore Engineering College. Since then, he has been working relentlessly towards the progress of the institution. He spearheaded the elevation of Vellore Engineering College to VIT University in 2001, and became its first Pro-Chancellor. Mr. Selvam enjoys the distinction of being the youngest Pro-Chancellor of a University in the world, which has been recognized by the Limca Book of Records, 2005. He holds a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from University of Madras. Mr. Selvam became the first Vice-President of VIT Chennai in 2010, where he sculptured the campus from the scratch. The high rise structures, the lush green ambience and the ultra-modern infrastructure that adorn VIT Chennai were created within a short span of time under his able leadership. He has developed VIT Chennai campus in conformity with the standards of the Green LEED certification. He returned to VIT Vellore in 2015 as the Vice President, and continues to contribute diligently to its growth. His painstaking efforts in implementing several innovative measures have enabled VIT to emerge as an institution of international eminence. A self-motivated and industrious person, and a farsighted educationalist, Mr. G.V. Selvam possesses an innate ability to spot and nurture talent–be it with the faculty, staff or students. He offers flexible and pragmatic academic solutions not only for toppers but also for slow learners. Mr. Selvam was instrumental in introducing new and need-based programmes of study such as Law, Architecture, Hotel Management and Agriculture. He introduced the inter-university sports & cultural extravaganza, “Riviera”, which has blossomed into an acclaimed international event. He played a significant role in establishing the VIT Technology Business Incubator (VITTBI), which has received national acclaim for its service to budding entrepreneurs. The Centre for Sustainable Rural Development and Research Studies [CSRD&RS] is the brainchild of Mr. Selvam. The centre is working towards providing urban facilities in rural areas to enhance the living conditions in villages, which would develop the rural folk on par with the urban people in terms of education and employability. A man with a deep passion for nature, Mr. G V Selvam takes immense interest in green initiatives. The lush green, self-sustaining, VIT campuses in Vellore and Chennai are examples of his efforts to adorn the spaces with natural beauty. He is the brain behind the Green Vellore Project, which has added green cover to the rocky and barren landscape of Vellore, and the Clean Palar Project, which is taking measures to restore the Palar river bed to its original texture. He is passionate about transforming Vellore into a clean, green and nature-rich city. Mr. Selvam is inspired and guided by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s principle: “A leader must have vision and passion, and not be afraid of any problem. Instead, he should know how to defeat it. Most importantly, he must work with integrity.”