Dr. Ing. B. V. A. Rao, Retired Professor from IIT Madras, is the President of the Indian Montessori Centre (IMC) since 1993. Being himself serving as the President of another prestigious Institution ‘Hymamshu Jyothi Kala Peetha’, Malleswaram, Bengaluru, which is well known for its Pre-Schools since 1942, has been taking deep interest in the propagation of Montessori Education throughout the country and even abroad with his vast experience in training the Children as well as Engineers. The present Montessori Director Training Course (MDTC), a unique wing of IMC to train more number of Trainers, who are most needed for a vast country like ours, is his idea.  

An academician-par-excellence, Dr. Rao has been currently associated with National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), an organization created for eminent Scientists and Engineers to research on social needs.

Currently Dr. Rao is involved in researching on such areas like the Reforms needed in Higher Education relating to Engineering and Technology and also identifying creative and innovative children at the Pre-School levels, who are most needed in future generations. Due to his academic contributions while serving at higher institutes of Technology, Dr. Rao has received many distinctions like: Fellowship of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), Medal of Excellence in Engineering Education from the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and Best Engineer Award from the Institution of Engineers (India).

In addition he has served as National President/National Secretary of many prestigious Professional Societies in the country. He is an Alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. He has widely travelled and served in many prestigious institutions abroad. IMC has also honoured him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.