Dr. Ravi Gedela

 A Multifaceted Leader, Academician & Social Reformer

Dr. Gedela is an accomplished academician, institutional leader, and social reformer dedicated to empowering tribal communities and nurturing student development. Currently serving as Assistant Professor, Head of the Department of Biology & Biosciences, and Dean of Student Welfare at RGUKT-Srikakulam, he has held numerous administrative roles across RGUKT campuses.

Dr. Gedela is the Founder of the Student Gymkhana Center (SGC) and Co-founder of SDCAC, platforms that promote holistic student engagement in academics, culture, and innovation. Beyond academia, he is the Chairperson of Manyapragathi, a grassroots NGO working toward tribal welfare and education. His pioneering initiatives—such as the National e-Tribal Museum, Virtual Biodiversity, and Digital Innovation Learning Clusters (DILEC)—highlight his vision of bridging traditional wisdom and modern technology for inclusive development.

Dr. Ravi Gedela is a nature-inspired, self-disciplined, and hardworking academician whose life’s work reflects a deep commitment to social service, especially towards tribal empowerment and student development. He currently serves in key academic and administrative roles at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), Srikakulam, while simultaneously leading community welfare efforts through his NGO Manyapragathi.

 

Academic Background

• Ph.D. Bioprocess Bioengineering,Bioprocess Engineering,Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) (2025)

• M.Tech. Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) (2011)

• M.Sc. (Biochemistry) – Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (2008)

• B.Sc. (Biochemistry, Chemistry, Zoology) – Silver Jubilee Government College (APRDC), Kurnool (2006)

• Fellowships – Received prestigious MHRD fellowships during M.Sc. and M.Tech.

• Junior Research Fellow (JRF) – DST-funded project at IIT Guwahati (2011–12)

 

Academic and Administrative Roles at RGUKT

At RGUKT – Srikakulam:

• Assistant Professor, Department of Biology & Biosciences

• Head of the Department (HoD) – (27.12.2022 to 16.11.2024)

• Dean of Students Welfare – (From 28.11.2022 – Present)

• Chairman, Students Disciplinary Committee

• Associate Dean of Academics – (09.09.2022 to 28.11.2022)

 

 At RGUKT – Nuzvid:

• HoD, Biosciences

• Associate Dean of Student Welfare – (23.08.2018 to 26.02.2021)

• Deputy Warden, Boys Hostel – (02.12.2016 to 10.01.2018)

• Board of Studies Member – Department of Biosciences (All RGUKT campuses since 2018)

 

Institution Building and Student Platforms

• Founder, Student Gymkhana Center (SGC), RGUKT-Srikakulam (2022):
  A central hub for students’ technical, cultural, literary, sports, NSS, music, yoga, and fine arts activities.

• Co-Founder, Student Development Campus Activities Cell (SDCAC), RGUKT-Nuzvid (2013):
  Pioneered the first student-led platform for promoting technical and leadership skills.

 

Social Leadership & Tribal Welfare:

 Founder & Chairperson of Manyapragathi (2014–Present)

A transformative NGO dedicated to tribal upliftment, education, culture, and digital empowerment.

 Major Initiatives:

1. Grama Darshini – Praja Chaitanya Avagahana Karyakramam (2021–2022): A 350+ day awareness campaign across tribal hamlets addressing:

   • Tribal rights and constitutional protections (e.g., PESA, FRA)

   • Scheduled Areas' issues

   • Unemployment, education, health, drinking water, roads

   • GO No.3 revival for social justice

   • Advocacy for 5th Schedule protections and tele-connectivity

 

Impact:

• GOI sanctioned ₹26,460 Cr for mobile towers in 30,000 tribal villages across India

• ₹130 Cr allocated for roads and drinking water projects in tribal areas in Seethampeta, Parvathi Puram Manya Dist.

1. National e-Tribal Museum (2020):
   A digital archive preserving tribal history, culture, languages, and art forms.

2. Virtual Biodiversity Platform:
   Promotes biodiversity awareness and conservation through technology and digital storytelling.

3. DILEC – Digital Innovation Learning Education Clusters:
   Integrates digital tools in remote tribal schools to bridge the education divide.

 

Research and Publications

• Research focuses on bioprocess engineering, specifically:

  • Oleaginous yeasts (e.g., Rhodotorula mucilaginosa)

  • Lipid production

  • β-Carotene and carotenoids biosynthesis

• 5 published papers, 2 under review

Workshops, Fests, and Conferences

Dr. Gedela is known for being an active organizer and participant in:

• Tech Fests

• Science Exhibitions

• Cultural and Literary Fests

• Leadership and Motivational Workshops

His goal is to build scientific temperament and cultural confidence among students, especially from marginalized and rural backgrounds.

 

What Sets Dr. Ravi Gedela Apart

• Blend of Academic Excellence & Grassroots Activism

• Visionary Leadership in institutional building at RGUKT

• Champion of Tribal Rights & Education

• Strong Advocate for Technology in Rural Development

• Sincere & Grounded Public Intellectual, with over 15 years of active service.