Karbhari V. Kale

Colonel Professor Karbhari Vishwanath Kale is an Indian academic leader, researcher, and administrator who is currently the Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (DBATU) in Lonere, Maharashtra. 

He also previously held the additional charge of Vice-Chancellor at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). With more than three decades of experience in higher education, Professor Kale has made significant contributions to teaching, research, and university administration in the fields of computer science and information technology. 

Earlier in his career, he worked as a Senior Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

In the past, Professor Kale was associated in top executive positions at the Board of College and University Development (BCUD), the University Network and Information Center (UNIC), and BAMU. 

In recognition of his service and contributions, he was also conferred the honorary rank of Colonel by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. He has also played an important role in shaping higher education policy in Maharashtra by serving on multiple state-level committees related to higher education development, research initiatives, and technological advancement.

An active researcher and innovator, Professor Kale has more than 36 years of experience in research and teaching at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. He has published over 370 research papers, authored six books, and contributed numerous book chapters. 

His work focuses on areas such as remote sensing and GIS, multimodal biometrics, image processing, artificial intelligence, computer vision, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things. He has supervised more than 40 PhD scholars and has received research funding from organisations including DST, UGC, RUSA, Media Lab, and MeitY.

Professor Kale is also recognised for establishing advanced research infrastructure, including the Multimodal Biometrics Research Laboratory, which supports research in biometrics, pattern recognition, and geospatial technologies. 

Professor Kale began his academic career after completing his doctoral studies in Geospatial Technology from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU), Aurangabad. From the early stages of his career, he focused on combining computing technologies with real-world applications such as remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and biometric systems. 

In December 1997, he joined Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University as a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology. Over time, he rose through the academic ranks and became a Senior Professor and Head of the Department. During his tenure at the university, he played a key role in developing academic programmes, strengthening research culture, and establishing specialised laboratories. He also served in several major administrative roles including Director of the Board of College and University Development (BCUD) and Director of the University Network and Information Center (UNIC), contributing to the digital and academic expansion of the university.

During this period, Professor Kale became widely recognised for his research in multimodal biometrics and geospatial technologies. He established the Multimodal Biometrics Research Laboratory (MBRL), which became an important research centre dedicated to biometrics, pattern recognition, and advanced image processing. The laboratory supported research projects related to fingerprint, face, palm, and iris recognition, as well as geospatial data analysis using remote sensing technologies.

Alongside his institutional work, Professor Kale built a strong research portfolio. Over the course of his career, he has published more than 370 research papers in national and international journals and conferences. He has also authored or edited six books and contributed twenty-three book chapters to international academic publications. His books include:

• Computer Communication and Security
• Advances in Computer Vision and Information Technology
• Computer Vision and Information Technology: Advances and Applications
• Understanding MATLAB
• Face Recognition Using Principal Component Analysis
• Iris Image Feature Extraction using Multiwavelet Approach 

These publications have been used as reference materials in universities and research institutions.

His research interests cover a wide range of technological areas including remote sensing and GIS, computer vision, image processing, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things. 

Prof. Kale's work has led to the development of several analytical tools and algorithms for processing hyperspectral and satellite data, crop monitoring, drought analysis, and biometric recognition systems.

Professor Kale has also contributed to technological innovation through patents. His research has resulted in several patented systems and methods related to biometric authentication, geospatial analysis, and environmental monitoring. These include innovations such as:

• an apparatus for measuring RR intervals for heart-based biometric systems
• an emergency vehicle transit and public alert system
• techniques for enlarging crop spectral signatures using multiband frequencies
• systems for analysing agricultural geospatial information for decision-making. 

Other patented technologies focus on soil nutrient exploration using spectral data, urban change detection using multi-sensor datasets, agricultural drought assessment tools based on geospatial data, and automated methods for identifying and extracting endmembers from hyperspectral imagery.

Professor Kale has supervised more than forty doctoral scholars in computer science and engineering, with several others continuing their research under his guidance. His mentorship has contributed to the development of a new generation of researchers working in areas such as machine learning, biometrics, and geospatial technologies.

Professor Kale has also been actively involved in academic governance and policy initiatives. He has served on several committees at state and national levels related to higher education development, research planning, and technology adoption. His roles have included participation in initiatives associated with higher education reforms, technology-driven learning, and research funding programmes supported by the Government of Maharashtra and national research agencies.

After decades of work in teaching, research, and academic administration, Professor Kale was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (DBATU), Lonere–Raigad, Maharashtra, in January 2022. In this role, he has focused on strengthening research infrastructure, modernising academic programmes, and promoting innovation-driven education. Under his leadership, the university has expanded research facilities, including the development of a 5G technology laboratory and improvements in campus infrastructure.

As Vice-Chancellor, he has also supported the implementation of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, encouraging interdisciplinary education, skill-based learning, and research-led innovation. He introduced the DBATU Vice-Chancellor Research Fellowships to support young researchers and promoted startup culture through university incubation initiatives and collaborations with industry.

In addition to his work at DBATU, Professor Kale also served as Vice-Chancellor (additional charge) of Savitribai Phule Pune University for a period, where he coordinated major academic and international initiatives. During this time, he also helped organise global programmes and academic events associated with international cooperation and research development.

Professor Karbhari Vishwanath Kale’s vision is centred on the idea of “ICT for Sustainable Society,” He advocates transforming universities into centres of innovation, research, and entrepreneurship rather than institutions focused only on classroom learning. Through the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, geospatial technology, and data analytics, he aims to prepare students and researchers for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy. 

His vision also emphasises research that has practical societal impact, particularly in areas such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, and technological systems that support public services. At the institutional level, he promotes interdisciplinary learning, industry collaboration, startup culture, and policies aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with the broader goal of building future-ready universities that contribute to sustainable development and technological progress.

Among his notable honours is the National Geospatial Faculty Fellow Award, presented through the FOSSEE initiative supported by the Government of India, recognising his contributions to geospatial education and research. 

He was also awarded the ICT Researcher of the Year Award in 2016, which acknowledged his work in information and communication technologies and their applications in research and education. His contributions to technological innovation have also been recognised through the ACS Digital Disruptors Award, highlighting his efforts in applying advanced computing technologies to solve practical problems.

Professor Kale was honoured with the SEARCC International Award, acknowledging his global contributions to computing and technology research. He also received the Pearcey Foundation Award in Australia, an award associated with contributions to technological innovation and advancement. In addition, he was presented with the International Amazing Idea Award by the SAI International Organization during its international conference held in London.

His research achievements have also been recognised through the IACSIT Excellent Paper Award, which highlights outstanding academic publications in computing and information technology. At the institutional level, he was honoured with the Research Professor Award for the year 2016–2017 by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in recognition of his significant contributions to research and academic development at the university.

Professor Kale has also received other recognitions such as the Vijay Shree Award and a One-Time Research Fellowship from the University Grants Commission (UGC), supporting his research activities. His achievements have further been acknowledged internationally through his listing in “Who’s Who in the World”, which documents the accomplishments of leading professionals across different fields.

In addition to these awards, Prof. Kale was nominated as one of the Top 100 Professionals of 2017 by the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England.