Prof. M. Prasada Rao, M.A., (Economics), B.L., P.G.D.A.S., and Ph.D. from the University of SUSSEX, UK is a (Retd.) Professor in the Department of Economics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He completed his Ph.D. under the supervision of outstanding scholars Professor Michael Lipton, Prof. Diana Hunt and Late Prof. Pramit Caudhuri, University of Sussex as the prestigious ‘Commonwealth Academic Staff Scholarship’ in the world. He is a Development Economist with more than 36 years of experience in teaching, research and administration. He has published 20 books and 55 research papers in National and International Journals. His research interests are in the area of rural development, farm and non-farm activities related studies and employment generation in the non-farm sector, State and Central budget analysis and finances, tribal studies, poverty eradication in rural areas and the related policy matters. He taught Micro Economic Analysis, Macro Economic Analysis, Development Economics, International Economics, Quantitative Techniques, Computer Applications, Law and Economics. He has international experience as Post-graduate Senate Representative, University of Sussex, U.K. (1992-93). He was given ‘Dr. Sarvepalli Radha Krishnan Award’ for Best Academician for the year 2007. He was awarded ‘Bright-man award’ by Jattu Bhavana Samakhya Samajika Ashram, Parvathipuram on 01-05-2003 and also bagged ‘Man of the Decade Award-2019’ by Alliance Clubs International, ‘Best Researcher Award’ by Andhra University in 2006 and also was the recipient of ‘State Best Teacher Award-2014’ by the Government of A.P.

He served as the Head, Department of Economics & Honorary Director, UGC Centre for SAARC Studies, Andhra University. He successfully served as Rector, Andhra University for 1 year (2018 to 2019). Before that he also served as Honorary Director, Population Research Centre (PRC), (established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India), Andhra University for 7 years (2005-2012). As Head of PRC, he conducted a number of field based studies in population, health and family welfare. He served as Nodal Officer to the Central Tribal University of A.P from 1-07-2019 to 23-11-2019. He also served as Honorary Director, A.P. Study Circle, Visakhapatnam. 20 candidates under his able guidance have done their Ph.D. in addition 2 PDF scholars have submitted their dissertations. He has extended his research activities as Ph.D./D.Lit thesis adjudicator for different States & Central Universities, including BHU, JNU, Central University of Hyderabad, Central Tribal University of Odisha etc., in India. He was a Member of Academic Senate, Andhra University. He was also a member of both the Finance Committee & Executive Council of Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS). He also served as a member advisory committee of Central Tribal University of Odisha. He was the editor of the Journal ‘South Asian Affairs’. He has also acted as Chairman, PG Board of Studies in Economics, Andhra University. He successfully served as a member of both the Executive Council and Finance Committee of Andhra University, from 04-02-2016 to 23-11-2019. He was the Visiting Professor, Sri Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University. He was the Member, 5Th State Finance Commission, Govt of A.P. and also he was visiting faculty in the Department of Economics, Central University of Odisha, Sunabeda, Koraput, Odisha. He recently attended the NSSA conference in Las Vegas, USA, where he presented co-authored paper. He was also recipient of Lifetime achievement award from International Education Forum, New South Wales, Australia.