Satyan “Sam” G. Pitroda (M.S. EE ’66) was elected as a foreign member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). This prestigious recognition is considered one of the highest honors for engineers.

Pitroda, chairman, The Pitroda Group, has been elected for development of rural telecommunication infrastructure in India, NAE said in a statement announcing 80 new and 22 foreign members.

Pitroda, who is also the founder and first chairman of India’s Telecom Commission, is known as a telecommunications pioneer. He has spent more than 50 years in information and communications technology and during this time his main focus has been on technology related to telecommunications, water, literacy, immunization, dairy production, and oil seeds.

He is the recipient of the IIT Alumni Award Medal, India’s National Citizen Award, and an International Distinguished Leadership Award among other awards.

Pitroda will be formally inducted during a ceremony at the NAE’s Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. on October 9, 2016.