From the first flicker of morning light to the hum of a bustling city, engineering quietly powers the world around us—bridges, clean air, smartphones, and the systems that deliver food and water are all the result of meticulous design and innovation. Yet behind these everyday conveniences lies not just the brilliance of engineers, but also the educators who shape them. These often-unsung mentors equip future engineers with the knowledge, curiosity, and vision to transform abstract ideas into practical breakthroughs. While their contributions may go unnoticed, their impact is felt in every innovation that sustains and advances modern life.
Among the many engineering leaders who contribute to shaping the next generation of engineers, Dr. Sathish Kannan stands out as a paragon of this mission.
Dr. Sathish Kannan is being recognized in our edition as “The Inspiring Personality of the Year 2025” for his transformative contributions that transcend the boundaries of traditional academia.
His visionary technology leadership, groundbreaking strides in engineering education, and commitment to research excellence have redefined how universities engage with industry and society.
By championing a future-ready tangible skills framework, advancing student inclusion and diversity, and empowering women in science and engineering, he nurtures not just professionals but changemakers.
What sets him apart is his deep-rooted belief in community engagement, coexistence, and social responsibility, making him not just a leader in engineering but a beacon of purpose-driven innovation in the UAE and beyond.
An Engineer’s Path
Behind Dr. Kannan’s success lies the firm support of his parents (Mrs. Vasumathy and Mr. V.S. Kannan), to whom he credits much of his achievements. His mother, who worked with the Combat Vehicle Research Development Establishment (CVRDE Avadi, India), played a pivotal role in shaping his aspirations and introducing him to the world of science and innovation. Despite his parents’ challenging poverty during the 1950s and financial circumstances, they energised him with the belief to keep moving despite failures to pursue his ambitions. According to them, failure only requires a change of path and not destination, which Dr. Kannan has put into practice throughout his engineering journey in the last 25 years.
His father taught him patience, resilience to failure, and perseverance, which were instrumental in nurturing the drive that fuels his continued contributions to engineering and research today. His wife, Mrs. Sowmya, an established industry leader, significantly supported providing thoughtful perspectives that helped shape his career at crucial junctures.
Dr. Kannan is a distinguished academic leader and researcher in mechanical engineering with industry expertise in advanced manufacturing, materials science, and university research leadership. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Madras in 1998, he began his professional journey as a Graduate Apprentice Mechanical Engineer at Dalmia Cements (India) Ltd. He later pursued doctoral studies at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, completing his PhD in 2006.
During his PhDunder supervision of DrHossamKishawy at the University of New Brunswick, Dr. Kannan focused on introducing a novel lightweight car engine material with the project collaborators General Motors (Canada) and AUTO 21TM Canada. He developed the Aluminium Composites (AMCs) through a pioneering energy-based analytical force model for manufacturing these state-of-the-art advanced materials. The findings of this research were published in reputed International Journals and Conference proceedings (CIRP, ASME, NAMRI).
His contributions significantly advanced the understanding of composites machining and were among the first of their kind analytical models, with component applications in automotive, aerospace, defense, and biomedical industries.
Following his doctoral studies, he held a postdoctoral position at the University of Cambridge, UK, where he worked as a Manufacturing Specialist on innovative production processes and material testing for industrial flow meters, which increased the market share of KROHNE UK. He later joined Rolls-Royce plc Ltd (UK) in the Manufacturing Technology Group, where he played Engineering leadership roles on the Trent 1000-TEN Boeing 787 Dreamliner programme, the Airbus A380 and A350 programmes.
Currently, Dr. Kannan serves as the Dean of Engineering, Architecture, and Interior Design at Amity University Dubai, where he also holds the position of Director of University Research. Since joining the institution, he has led a sweeping transformation of its research ecosystem—revamping the research management system, doubling faculty research output, and expanding the number of research personnel fourfold to over 300 within a year. In alignment with the UAE’s Vision 2031 and the global call for sustainable development, Dr. Kannan has spearheaded the establishment of six Centers of Excellence and 29 research clusters, each mapped to the 13 UN Sustainable Development Goals and led by appointed CenterDirectors. His leadership reflects a forward-looking approach that bridges academia with national priorities. He also manages a team of 28 postdoctoral research fellows and has taught more than 1,500 engineering students in the last 10 years, reinforcing his commitment to nurturing talent and building a knowledge-based future.
Dr. Kannan has authored over 175 journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters. He has successfully secured seven industry research grants worth $1.1 million USD and 13 academic grants totaling $500K USD. His research interests span sustainable smart manufacturing, additive and advanced manufacturing, finite element modeling, machine learning, materials design for biomedical applications, and nanomaterials.
He has received several awards, including multiple Expo Live 2020 Dubai University Innovation Awards, the Sandooq Al Watan Research Award, and graduate research scholarships in Canada. He is a registered Chartered Engineer with the Royal Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK), a Member of the Global Engineering Deans Council, a Member of the American Society for Engineering Education, and a Highly Qualified Personnel of AUTO 21TM Centres of Excellence for Automotive Research in Canada. His work continues to make a lasting impact in both academic and industrial spheres.
Creating Future-ready Talent
Dr. Kannan firmly believes that the true power of engineering and technology lies in its ability to uplift communities and transform lives. For him, engineering education is not just about textbooks and classrooms; it’s a catalyst for creating future-ready talent, cultivating leadership excellence, Nation Building and bridging societal gaps. He is deeply committed to identifying and nurturing talent at an early stage, ensuring that students are equipped with the right skills to meet real-world challenges. Dr. Kannan advocates for a more inclusive technological ecosystem where innovation is not a privilege of the few but a right for all. By promoting equitable access to technology and industry-driven learning, he envisions a world where every student, regardless of background, can lead, innovate, and make meaningful contributions to society.In support of the Emiratization policy of the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Kannan and his team at Amity University Dubai has worked extensively with the Emirati Student Leadership forum which aims to equip the Emirati students with the practical nation building skills and teach them to build a foundation to motivate, empower, and transform themselves and others by making a difference in the world.This initiative aims to identify and develop high potential Emirati students and expose them with the required methodologies to build their skills and capabilities to adapt with changing world affairs through UAE vision 2031.
Tangible Skills and Real-World Industry Readiness
Established in 2011, Amity University Dubai is a leading international institution in the UAE and part of the globally recognized Amity Education Group, which operates campuses in Dubai, London, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Angola, and across multiple locations in India. The university’s leadership team includes Dr. Atul Chauhan (Chancellor and President), Dr. Vajahat Hussain (CEO), Dr. Saif Al Seiari (Vice Chancellor), and Prof. Rafid Alkhaddar (Pro-Vice Chancellor).
Amity University Dubai is rooted in the vision of the Amity Education Group, which was founded over three decades ago and now supports a community of over 250,000 students, 85,000 alumni, and 6,000 faculty members worldwide. Amity university is deeply committed to creating a positive and lasting impact on the world, society, and the environment. It brings together exceptional faculty, scientists, and students from around the globe—individuals who share a passion for innovation, excellence, and social good. This commitment to meaningful change defines the very core of the Amity ethos: a shared belief that, together, they can help build a better world.
At the core of Dr. Kannan’s educational philosophy is a belief that knowledge without application and societal impact is incomplete. To truly prepare students for the world beyond the classroom, he advocates for a Student Tangible Skills Matrix—a structured framework that not only maps out technical knowledge but also emphasizes their practical application of skills and competencies with responsibility across real-world settings which focusses on IT/numeracy literacy, Social Skills, Leadership skills, Guided projects and Internships. According to Dr. Kannan, the gap between academia and industry doesn’t arise from a lack of knowledge but due lack of confidence to demonstrate skills on their first job project. “The industry doesn’t just want students who know,” he asserts, “Industry wants students who can show leadership in action from their very first day.”
This emphasis on “students are the centre of our universe” is what sets Amity University Dubai’s approach apart from its counterparts under Dr. Kannan’s Engineering leadership. Dr. Kannan stresses that while theoretical excellence forms the foundation, practical demonstration of skills and competencies is the true differentiator. In today’s competitive world, companies are looking for graduates who are not only well-versed in their domain but can also think critically, collaborate, communicate effectively, and hit the ground running. “You might graduate with a high GPA,” he notes, “but if you can’t put the learning into action through a project or show how you solved a real-world problem, your degree becomes just a piece of paper.”
To bridge this divide, he encourages students to take a proactive role in Career Mapping and CV building—not merely listing achievements but crafting narratives that reflect impact, initiative, and problem-solving ability. According to him, CV building starts from primary school, where school teachers have the responsibility of identifying the core skills of a student and not merely dumping curriculum content, which might be irrelevant to an individual learner. From contributing to collaborative research clusters to engaging in industry projects and community work, each experience becomes a stepping stone in a student’s journey toward professional readiness. “A strong CV doesn’t just talk about education,” Dr. Kannan advises, “it reflects evolution—how a student grew in their skills, confidence, and contribution to society.”
Amity students are mentored and provided adequate opportunities to put their leadership skills into action. They are trained to organize and lead national and international-level conferences. The best example of this was the NEXUS 1.0, NEXUS 2.0 and Biogenesis Amity Dubai student-led UAE national-level seminar and conferences, where School, UG/PG students from various parts of the UAE participated to present their research papers. These types of networking events empower students to practice leadership skills that will enable them to succeed both academically and beyond the classroom, encouraging them to explore their interests and passions through independent study and research.
Mission to motivate Science and Engineering
Despite remarkable strides in higher education, women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields worldwide—a gender gap that continues to persist across all levels. The United Nations has long championed gender equality as a cornerstone of global development, recognizing that empowering women and girls is not only a matter of justice but a catalyst for progress across all Sustainable Development Goals.
In this spirit, Dr. Sathish Kannan has been a vocal advocate for increasing the visibility and participation of women in STEM at Amity University Dubai. Through a series of purposeful initiatives, he has created platforms for women students and faculty to engage with leading scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, C-suite leaders, and social activists. These interactions address key challenges—ranging from societal expectations and cultural barriers to representation and work-life-career balance—while equipping women with the confidence and skills needed to thrive in competitive domains. A signature element of his efforts includes a dynamic lecture series spotlighting successful women across disciplines, offering role models who inspire, empower, and ignite ambition.
The Engineer with a Social Heart
Beyond his academic accomplishments and research contributions, Dr. Sathish Kannan believes that true success is measured by the impact one makes on the lives of fellow citizens and the environment. For him, education is not just a privilege but a responsibility—one that should be used to uplift communities, especially those living on the margins. This belief is not confined to words; it’s reflected in his actions.
One of the most powerful examples of his commitment to social impact is his transformation of a local school in his native village in India, where students were once deprived of even the most basic amenities. He says, “There is a vast social divide in this world where one group of privileged class of students are designing human space settlement in Mars while other society of students are worried about their next day meal to survive on earth”.
Dr. Kannan explains. “To bring dreams into action requires a basic life foundation—and that foundation starts with students’ attitude, motivated parents, resourceful teachers, technological classrooms, safe drinking water, clean toilets, and electricity.”
Dr. Kannan and his family personally led the efforts to improve the infrastructure, ensuring the school was equipped with comfortable seating benches, adequate lighting, instructional delivery kits, e-Boards, and learning materials. His motivated team, comprising Mrs. Vijayalakshmi, Mrs. Sowmya, Mr. Diwakaran, Mrs. Praveena, Mr. Shreyas,and Mr. Santhosh, were instrumental in managing the delivery of this infrastructure and made it accessible to the students. Regular training sessions are conducted for these village students to uplift their confidence and exposure to the latest technologies as they move on in their academic phase. His work didn’t just change the infrastructure/building—it restored dignity and hope to the village children and their families in the community. For him, sustainable development begins not with grand budgets and fancy declarations but with small, meaningful changesthat create real, immediate value and boost their personal attitude to uplift them from poverty.
Blueprints for a Plastic-Free Future
In line with his community-centric values, Dr. Kannan is also a passionate environmental advocate. One of the causes he fervently champions is the elimination of plastic usage through the introduction of engineered materials. Whether on campus or in the wider community, he consistently pushes for eco-conscious practices, encouraging students and faculty alike to opt for sustainable materials and mindful consumption.
He believes that engineers and educators have a moral obligation to lead by example, not just in laboratories or lecture halls, but in the way they interact with the society around them. In partnership with UAE NGOs committed to environmental sustainability, efforts are underway to create a plastic-free Amity University Dubai campus, further reinforcing the community’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.
A Creative Approach to Inclusive Education
Dr. Kannan strongly believes in delivering education to meet the unique needs of students, rather than imposing a rigid curriculum. This philosophy is evident in the diverse, hands-on learning experiences he fosters, which not only address academic goals but also promote inclusivity and real-world applications.
A prime example of this approach can be seen in the recent collaboration between his team of UG students from Amity University Dubai’s Architecture and Interior Design programs and PPG. On 22nd February 2025, his team, led by Mr. Abraham, participated in a Community Engagement Program at Al Ibtisama Special Needs School in Sharjah, UAE. Over a span of seven months, the Amity students were trained to work on a project that focused on the developmental stages of a special needs child with disabilities. The initiative, which began with a two-day workshop at Amity University Dubai, culminated in the creation of 18 vibrant art panels designed by 60 students. These panels were carefully crafted to represent the different stages of childhood development, highlighting both the artistic process and the value of social inclusion for students with special needs and disabilities.
The Amity students’ involvement extended beyond just the artwork; they worked collaboratively with faculty members, including Mr. Abraham, Prof. Niva, and Dr. Lamiaa, in partnership with Al Ibtisama School, Sharjah, and PPG paints. On the final day, the artwork came to life during a joint workshop, creating a lasting bond between the Amity students and the community they served. This project was covered by the South Indian media outlet MediaOne UAE, showcasing the successful fusion of education, art, and social responsibility.
Through such community-driven initiatives, Dr. Kannan’s educational leadership and philosophy of adapting teaching to meet the needs of individual students was truly embodied, encouraging future architects and designers to not only consider technical skills but also the broader impact of their work on society.
Building the UAE Research Ecosystem through stakeholder engagement
The UAE Research and Development Council was established in 2021 with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as chairman and Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, as secretary-general. The UAE’s R&D ecosystem aims to strengthen the performance and effectiveness of the nation’s science and technology sector, a key pillar of UAE Vision 2031.
Amity university Dubai has developed the image to 5 year vision which encompasses the various stakeholders (government, industry, schools, professional bodies, community NGO’s)as part of their research ecosystem. This strategic framework aims to build a world-class research environment in line with the UAE 2031 vision. This comprehensive vision integrates research clusters, centres of excellence, industry engagement, and international collaboration to drive impactful innovation.
To conduct research, significant resources in the form of funding, research personnel, salaries, student stipends, capital equipment, testing facilities, and infrastructure are required. Currently, there are 79 full time faculty who are engaged in active research. The School of Engineering, Architecture and Interior Design leads the Amity University Dubai research efforts with more than 65% of thetotal research contributions and are at the forefront of research performance with presence of world top 2% scientist and senior specialist in the team. When asked how the research productivity of Amity University Dubai doubled?Dr. Kannan replied: “Strategic People Strength (SPS)”. Under his leadership, four strategic schemes were introduced to attract research personnel to Amity University Dubai. The first scheme, named “Senior Research Affiliation,” focused on senior and post-doctoral research fellow affiliations that attracted early career and senior research professionals from all over the world to obtain UAE independent research experience while working offline from their respective higher education institutes overseas. This scheme became an instant hit with recently completed PhD students and entry-level professors who did not have the opportunity to travel to Dubai due to their current work commitments, but still got trained with Amity faculty on their topic of research. Currently, there are close to 120 post-doctoral research fellows who are undergoing research training with Amity University Dubai. Upon completion of the expected requirements, the trainees are issued with a research experience letter that secures their intent to gain a UAE independent research work experience. The second scheme, named “Student Research Excellence,” was developed to attract and groom the Amity University Dubai undergraduate students to take up research training with the Amity faculty. Structured research workshops and training sessions are organized for UG students who have shown excellent response to train on research methodologies and have produced journal papers of the highest quality, working under the mentorship of Amity faculty. Currently, there are close to 200 Amity UG students who are undergoing research training. The third scheme, named “Industry Research Affiliation,” encourages industry specialists interested in pursuing research to join Amity. They are provided opportunity to train with Amity faculty on their topic of research and produce research publications to enhance their career profile. The fourth scheme is focused on aspiring school students who, in recent times, have shown great interest in joining the “Amity Research Academy”. These school students are provided research training for 1 week in the Amity Dubai campus on various topics related to the profession, assigned an Amity and School faculty mentor to kick start their research journey.
Through these highly efficient research management schemes, Dr. Kannan claims an annual savings of AED large leading in research budget related to research salaries and student stipends alone, while the university research productivity doubled in publications number and boosted the paper per faculty ratio.
These schemes help to strengthen faculty research, improve university research productivity, enhance UG student research skills, create a pool of school research students, expand global collaborative networks, and enhance industry and community connections. With a structured approach to research management, this framework model sets Amity University Dubai apart, offering such an extensive and integrated research ecosystem where all stakeholders, namely Industry, Government, Schools, University Students, Overseas Research Fellows from Higher Education Institutes, and Community NGOs, are partnered in their efforts.
Impact on Aerospace Manufacturing Innovation
Dr. Kannan’s industry expertise spans New Product Introduction, Partnership Management, Research & Technology, Manufacturing Technology Acquisitions, and Design & Manufacturing Engineering. He led global engineering teams responsible for the design, supply, and lifecycle management of propulsion products and systems for major aerospace company Rolls-Royce in support of Boeing and Airbus products. As Engineering Program Manager for the Externals & Control Systems Sub-System on the Trent 1000-TEN engine for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner™, he oversaw 67 engineering product change packages, the development of over 100 subsystem certification reports with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, USA), and managed an annual budget exceeding over large number.
His leadership was instrumental in achieving FAA airworthiness certification and in delivering over 50 engineering milestones annually. Dr. Kannan also played a key role in strategy development for engineering teams, technology road mapping, and intellectual property, with a target of 20 patents per year. He led multiple advanced manufacturing initiatives, including additive manufacturing of titanium stator vanes, powder metallurgy for turbine discs, and friction welding for compressor blades, in collaboration with UK university research partnerships. Notably, he spearheaded the modernization of Rolls-Royce manufacturing capability through introduction of automatedcritical edge machining processes, replacing manual polishing methodsacross the Rolls-Royce global supply chain, significantly enhancing engine and passenger safety. He also developed and implemented operational structures for new capability acquisition projects, risk management strategies, and productivity improvements, achieving a 20% efficiency gain within the subsystem, leading to an annual savings of over large number. As a recognized industry subject matter expert, Dr. Kannan influenced Rolls-Royce manufacturing policies, audited manufacturing supply chains, authored technical guidelines, served on the Rolls-Royce Patent Committee, and contributed to major Rolls-Royce research programme initiatives like SAMULET (Technology Strategy Board, UK Government, and Rolls-Royce R&T) and European Union-funded projects.
Charting New Educational Pathways
In his current role as Dean of Engineering and Director of University Research at Amity University Dubai, Dr. Kannan has redefined what it means to lead with purpose in higher education. With strategic oversight spanning academic governance, policy formation, and international collaboration, he has transformed the School of Engineering into a hub of innovation and excellence. Under his leadership, nine core undergraduate engineering programs were launched, which received recent accreditations from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), reinforcing the institution’s academic adherence to the UAE vision 2031. Managing the academic journey of over 1,500 engineering students in the past 10 years, he has successfully worked on a tangible skills framework that helps to bridge the gap between industry and academia. In addition to the knowledge and skills, the Amity University industry advisory boards ensured that student competency and responsibility factors are relevant and deliver impact.
Dr. Kannan works closely with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) to support institutional licenses, while also pioneering new Master’s programs in critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. His vision extends to establishing robust faculty development frameworks, including promotion policies, KPIs, and appraisal systems that support sustainable academic growth. Beyond institutional advancement, he has been a champion of global engagement, spearheading international partnerships, student exchange Amity University Dubai currently does not have a PhD programs, and cross-border university collaborations. At the grassroots level, he promotes engineering awareness among youth by collaborating with national schools on competitions, seminars, and talent-building initiatives. His holistic leadership approach has not only elevated academic standards but also embedded sustainability, inclusivity, and future-readiness into the DNA of engineering education at Amity University Dubai.
Dr. Kannan has strategically spearheaded inter engineering consortiums with international Engineering professional bodies such as the IEEE, ASME, IMechE, ICE, Royal Aeronautical Society, ASCE, CIBSE, CIOB, ASHRAE, IStructE, Council of Architecture etc., ensuring that these partnerships go beyond symbolic affiliations. According to him, these professional bodies are the custodian of engineering curriculum and he has actively engaged these bodies in discussions around maximizing student registrations, training students for Chartered Engineer status, enabling students to gain global exposure through student-led conferences, professional events, and community awareness campaigns. Dr. Kannan has also emphasized the importance of ethics and compliance training, advocating for the inclusion of Codes of Conduct within academic environments. His vision extends to incorporating professional body participation in both teaching and research, and exploring the formation of a combined International Engineering Association consortium within the UAE.
These effective initiatives underscores Dr. Kannan’s pivotal role in driving innovations in engineering practices, particularly during his tenure at Rolls-Royce, and his dedication to mentoring students and advancing research in the academic sector while maintaining social connect.
These contributions emphasize the impact Dr. Kannan has made, not only in aerospace engineering but also in shaping future generations of engineers through his work in academia and engagement to inspire and empower students, fostering collaboration and positive change within communities and organizations. His journey in instilling the importance of social leadership and equality in the minds of the next generation of students continue.