Dr Allam Appa Rao began his career in 1969 and went on to complete his Ph. D in Computer Engineering from Andhra University in the year 1984. This is the first Ph. D in Computer Engineering from Andhra University.  

His contributions to the field of Computer Engineering have been exemplary and spilled over into numerous other areas of science and technology, making him a pioneer of scientific advancements meant for the benefit of society.  

Dr Rao’s areas of specialization include Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Knowledge Management, Software Engineering and Network Security.  

A boon to the academic fraternity, Dr Allam Appa Rao has been a guiding light for innumerable students over the past few decades. Apart from being an awe-invoking teacher, he has also played many other roles of significance which were crucial and vital to development in various fields.   

27 scholars were awarded Ph. D degrees under his guidance and another 14 are in process of adjudication.

Prof Rao provided his depth of vision, knowledge, wisdom and experience to help build a better tomorrow.  

With more than four decades of professional experience, Dr Allam Appa Rao is a familiar name in the world of computer technology and its applications. He has shared his knowledge prowess with students, fellow-engineers and scientists across the globe by authoring more than 150 research papers published in international journals and conference proceedings.   

Dr Rao has also chaired 11 international conferences and organized 5 international seminars-cum-workshops. These notwithstanding, he has been inducted as a member of 4 international program committees for global technical meets and is currently a member of 6 international editorial boards.   

As one of the foremost names involved in the process of harnessing technology for the benefit of the common man, Dr Allam Appa Rao has been instrumental in getting grants of several cores of rupees from various technical and professional bodies to complete projects that can make a benign difference.   

Dr Rao is a firm believer in the indispensability of Computer Engineering with regard to the country’s technological, economical and social goals.   

Dr Rao’s zeal, passion and dedication have made him to present to the world his research contributions that are varied, vast and stunningly vital.   

Driven by a mind that is dynamic, creative and intellectually glorious, he has repeatedly drawn attention to the possibilities of progress arising from the links of computer engineering to other branches of knowledge such as philosophy, psychology, cognitive sciences, linguistics and management.   

From modelling the operation of the human brain and the role of language and logic in problem solving to the mysteries of the human gene, the issue of dealing with the malignancy of various diseases and environmental clean-ups, his range of research topics are indeed astounding and make him a true force to reckon with.   

Dr Allam Appa Rao also vouches for the magical combination of Human Resource excellence and Information Technology as an instrument of far-reaching social change. Thus, he has initiated many steps to implement IT services in government and public sector undertakings while also advocating the growth of IT education centres in various towns in the country.   

Dr Rao has done a remarkable service to our nation by taking computers to the remotest of schools. Looked upon with immense respect for being a consultant par excellence, a creator and institution-builder, he has established a number of computer centers and other temples of learning. He still continues to serve on the boards of several universities and organizations in India and abroad.   

With excellence, comes recognition and Dr. Allam Appa Rao, Vice Chancellor of JNTUK, has several honors, awards and accolades to his name.   

Prof Rao is the recipient of ‘Srinivasa Ramanujan Birth Centeray Award’ a gold medal instituted by Indian Science Congress Association, a life time achievement award for the contributions he made in the field of Computational Biology, Software Engineering and Network Security. He received this award from the hands of Prime Minister of India.   

Dr Rao has also been bestowed with the Best Teacher award from the Govt of Andhra Pradesh in 2006 and the Best Researcher in engineering award from Andhra University, in the year 2003. He was the first ever recipient of the ‘Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan award for Best Academician’ for outstanding research and teaching, in the year 2006 by Andhra University.   

Apart from these achievements, he has been elected as a Fellow of 6 professional organizations such as the Society for Design and Process Science, USA, the Institution of Engineers and Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers.   

He is honoured by International Accreditation Council for Quality Education and Research as its ‘distinguished fellow’. He is the recipient of ‘six sigma green belt’ certification by American Society for Quality.   

Prof Rao a strict disciplinarian is honoured with the ‘colonel of regiment’ designation by the Government of India.   

Revered by students, respected and loved by colleagues and looked up to by thousands of people across the world, not just for being an unfathomable source of knowledge but also for being a wonderful human being, Dr. Allam Appa Rao is indeed a multi-faceted person.   

Dr Rao is a shining example of academic prowess and management skills amalgamated with innovative thinking and principle-based living. High on ethics, values and virtues, he is a philanthropist to the core having established educational institutions and charitable trusts as his way of giving back to society.   

It is a matter of pride to say that in addition to possessing such an outstanding personality, Dr Rao is also a patron of the fine arts supporting the Vishaka Dance and Music Academy and being a member of the India Habitat Centre and the India International Centre, New Delhi.   

People often complain that they do not know what to do with their lives or that time is not sufficient to accomplish all that they dream of. But one example of a person as honourable, successful and dynamic as Dr Allam Appa Rao is enough to show them that each of us should identify and capitalize on our strengths in order to succeed and that our lives are best lived when we strive to utilize our lifetime by contributing to constructive growth and development in areas where we can use those strengths in a benign manner.