In 2014, Muthangi Kantha Reddy, Ph.D., walked into a conference hall in Hubballi, India. He didn’t know it at the time, but the conference would change the course of his career. Through his connection with the Indo Universal Collaboration for Engineering Education (IUCEE) he attended the International Conference on Transformations in Engineering Education (ICTIEE). ABET sponsored that year’s event, leading Dr. Reddy to cross paths with Michael K.J. Milligan, Ph.D., ABET’s chief executive officer.
“I was deeply inspired by his passion for engineering education and his vision for outcome-based education, continuous improvement and global collaboration,” Dr. Reddy said. Listening to Dr. Milligan that day, he realized ABET was more than simply an accrediting body. He described it as a global community working to prepare engineers to address complex challenges and make a positive impact on society.
That meeting planted a seed. Over the following years, Dr. Reddy stayed connected to ABET through conferences, workshops and collaborative projects, a relationship that eventually led him to join ABET as an adjunct accreditation director in February 2018. Today he serves as an adjunct director, guiding the organization’s engagement across India.
A Foundation Built on Collaboration
“IUCEE laid a strong foundation for my work in educational transformation,” Dr. Reddy said. His early work with IUCEE introduced him to a global network of educators, researchers and academic leaders focused on transforming engineering education in India. Through faculty development programs, international collaborations and annual conferences, he developed a deeper understanding of student-centered learning, outcome-based education and global best practices.
This foundation assisted him as he moved into his role as the director of academic initiatives at Sri Vishnu Educational Society. There, he has helped lead efforts to strengthen engineering education through experiential learning, industry partnerships, faculty development, research and international collaboration.
Coordinating ABET’s Work in India
As ABET’s Adjunct Director, Dr. Reddy serves as a facilitator between institutions in India and ABET headquarters, helping colleges and universities understand ABET’s purpose, accreditation process and the value of internationally recognized quality standards. He coordinates communication for institutions pursuing ABET accreditation and shares institutional credentials with the ABET team.
“Meaningful improvement in engineering education comes through collaboration, trust, transparency and continuous engagement,” Dr. Reddy said. “Every institution has its own unique strengths and challenges — and my role is to facilitate conversations, connect institutions with the right resources and support them in aligning with global quality practices.”
Through this, Dr. Reddy also arranges visits and meetings for ABET leadership, including Dr. Milligan, connecting the organization with universities interested in pursuing accreditation and supporting ABET workshops and events across the country.
More recently, he has taken on a similar coordinating role for ABET’s Recognition of Credentials service, helping institutions understand the process as they explore the opportunity.
That role has kept Dr. Reddy close to ICTIEE, the same conference where his ABET journey began. At the 2025 gathering in Hyderabad, India, he represented ABET alongside Dr. Milligan and other staff.
What Drives Him Outside the Office
When he isn’t coordinating accreditation visits or planning conferences, Dr. Reddy finds joy in exploring and connecting with leaders in research platforms, innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurship. Understanding their ideas and discovering ways to collaborate excites him – he takes particular satisfaction in watching young innovators turn creative concepts into practical solutions.
Closer to home, he finds the same inspiration in his own family. Dr. Reddy enjoys watching his children pursue their own educational and professional paths, adding that their curiosity and dedication remind him why lifelong learning matters.
“What brings me the greatest joy,” Dr. Reddy said, “is being part of a learning and innovation ecosystem where ideas are transformed into impact, and where we can empower the next generation of engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs.”