Prof. Siddu P. Algur officially took charge as the fourth Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Kerala (CUK) on March 24, 2025. Prof. Algur, who arrived at the administrative office, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan was warmly received by Prof. Vincent Mathew, who had been serving as the Vice Chancellor in-charge, along with Registrar Dr. M. Muralidharan Nambiar, Controller of Examinations Dr. R. Jayaprakash, Deans, Staff, and other university officials. The university’s security wing, under the leadership of Security Officer-in-charge Sumesh P.P. and Security Inspector T. Vinayakrishnan, accorded him a guard of honour. Following the reception, Prof. Algur proceeded to the Vice Chancellor’s office, where he formally assumed his duties from Prof. Vincent Mathew. He also paid floral tributes to the Swami Vivekananda statue on the campus.
Prof. Siddu P. Algur brings with him a wealth of experience as a distinguished academic leader and engineer. Prior to this appointment, he served as Vice Chancellor of Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University (VSKU), Ballari, from August 2, 2019, to August 1, 2023. Born into a humble agricultural family in Terdal, Bagalkot district, Karnataka, Prof. Algur’s academic journey is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering from Mysore University, a Master’s Degree in Engineering from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, and a Ph.D. from Gulbarga University, Kalaburagi. His career, spanning nearly four decades, began at an engineering college and culminated in leadership roles at some of Karnataka’s most prestigious institutions.
Prof. Algur has left an indelible mark on the academic landscape through his contributions to institutions such as SDM College of Engineering and Technology, Dharwad; BVB College of Engineering and Technology, Hubballi; Rani Channamma University, Belagavi; and VSKU, Ballari. During his tenure at VSKU, he spearheaded transformative initiatives, including the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Facility, new academic buildings for Commerce and Management and Life Sciences, and an expanded Administrative Block. These projects, valued at over Rs. 25 crore, were complemented by an additional Rs. 20 crore secured from the Karnataka Mines and Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) for further university development.
His administrative reforms and focus on modern infrastructure significantly elevated VSKU’s standing. Earlier, as Professor and Registrar at Rani Channamma University, Belagavi, Prof. Algur played a pivotal role in establishing a state-of-the-art computing facility funded by the Vision Group on Science and Technology (VGST), Bangalore, and the Deen Dayal Upadhya Chair, supported by a Rs. 6.75 crore grant from the Government of India. His efforts also led to the creation of a Postgraduate Centre at Jamkhandi, which later evolved into an independent university, benefiting rural students in the region.
A renowned expert in Web Mining, Knowledge Discovery, and Big Data Analytics, Prof. Algur has authored numerous research articles published in national and international journals and conference proceedings. He has delivered keynote addresses, special lectures, and invited talks at conferences worldwide, chairing several sessions and guiding numerous Ph.D. candidates to completion. His influence extends beyond academia, having served as a member of the Syndicate and Academic Councils of various prestigious institutions and universities across India. Notably, he contributed significantly to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Karnataka, serving on high-level committees of the state’s Higher Education Department.
