Ravi Ravitharan | Director
Monash Institute of Railway Technology, Monash University

Professor Ravi Ravitharan is a recognised leader in the railway industry. He is the Director of Monash University's Institute of Railway Technology (IRT), a world-renowned railway applied research centre. Professor Ravitharan has more than thirty years of experience in railway research, most of which has been in the management of applied research and technology development.

Professor Ravitharan is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, a Chartered Professional Engineer and an Engineering Executive. Professor Ravitharan is a foundation member of Engineers Australia's Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA). He was the Executive Chairman of RTSA from 2006-2008. During his chairmanship Professor Ravitharan played a pivotal role in leading this voluntary professional organization, and introduced several important initiatives to support the railway industry. Life Membership of RTSA was awarded to Professor Ravitharan in 2011 for his services to the railway industry.

Professor Ravitharan received the coveted RTSA Individual Award in 2014 for his outstanding contribution to the railway industry. He has also been awarded the prestigious Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Clunies Ross Award in 2014 for outstanding achievement in the application of science and technology for the benefit of Australia. Ravi has also been awarded the prestigious Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Clunies Ross Award in 2014 for the application of science and technology for the benefit of Australia. Professor Ravitharan has been appointed as a member of the Rail Industry Innovation Council by the Australian Federal Government to support its National Rail Manufacturing Plan. He is a member of ARA's Rail Industry Executive Committee (RIEC); an advisory board member of the Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Advanced Rail Track Technologies; and a member of the Rail Knowledge Bank Advisory Group.