Yudof said that Khosla emerged as the top candidate after the international search. The search committee, comprised of faculty, Regents and students, took eight months to interview prospective chancellors.
“[Pradeep Khosla is an] oft-honored researcher, an innovative educator dedicated to improving the quality of life for students, faculty and staff and an entrepreneurial leader with a global vision and proven fundraising abilities,” Yudof said in a press release.
Outgoing Chancellor Marye Anne Fox’s eight years at UCSD are highlighted by the improvement of university infrastructure and increased funding and prestige of UCSD academics and research. As the Guardian reported back in October, Fox plans to return to teaching and spending time with her family.
Khosla is the Philip and Marsha Dowd University Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Robotics at Carnegie Mellon, where he has initiated several undergraduate curriculum reforms.
According to the press release, he implemented successful diversity efforts, multidisciplinary and multi-college research centers, multidisciplinary graduate offerings and started international programs in Japan, Korea, Portugal, China and Rwanda. Khosla’s leadership resulted in larger numbers of women and minorities enrolling at the engineering school.
Khosla spearheaded a $100-million fundraising campaign at Carnegie Mellon. The campaign used federal government, foundation and alumni resources to construct an energy institute and raise $90 million for a new biotech, energy and nanotech engineering building.
Khosla is an active member of the Pittsburgh community, where he serves on the board of several non-profits, including The Children’s Institute, IIT Foundation and the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
“UC San Diego’s astounding growth and success are due in large part to its history of partnership with and support from the San Diego community,” Yudof said in the press release. “Pradeep understands the importance of these connections and will foster and expand them.”
Khosla graduated from Carnegie Mellon with M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering. He grew up in Mumbai, India, where he received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.
“In slightly more than 50 years, UC San Diego, under the leadership of Marye Anne Fox and her predecessors, has become one of the world’s top universities,” Khosla said in the press release. “I feel fortunate, humbled and energized to have the opportunity to contribute to that excellence while embracing the challenges of integrating world-class research with an undergraduate educational experience.”
Yudof and Khosla have no further information or comments until after the confirmation date of May 16.
