Subramonian Shankar

Subramonian Shankar will receive an honorary doctorate of science at the University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) 196th encaenia ceremony in Fredericton on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Building upon a bachelor of technology in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Shankar took the chance of flying halfway around the world to study at UNB. Here, he found an environment that was receptive to student initiative and supportive of innovation. Given permission by his professors to use laboratory equipment while the campus was closed and other students were on holiday, he undertook exploratory research which would form the core of his master of science in electrical engineering and provide a foundation for his significant contributions to the development of the North American computer industry.

Shankar graduated in 1976, telling his professors and fellow students that miniaturization would enable the creation of a new generation of accessible, personal computers. In 1985, he co-founded the highly successful international technology company American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) to serve this emerging market. AMI focused on motherboard design and firmware; it took off after gaining the company now known as Dell Computers as its first customer. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, AMI has locations around the world and has been a household name among computing enthusiasts for more than 35 years. Shankar served as its President and CEO until 2019.

Shankar exemplifies how education, combined with determination, can lead to remarkable achievements. The Indian Institute of Technology Madras honored him with its Distinguished Alumnus Award, while UNB recognized him with the Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award.

Shankar has consistently focused on giving back to the community. In 2019, he founded the Lakshan Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting meaningful causes, particularly in the areas of education, health and hunger.

He demonstrated his commitment to education by funding the Subramonian Shankar Block, a modern computer science building at his alma mater in India. At UNB, his generosity led to the opening of the Subramonian Shankar Computer Science Laboratory in 2022, following a $1 million contribution. Designed for both onsite and remote access, the lab provides students with opportunities to engage in innovation and experimentation, reflecting Subramonian Shankar’s own path to success.

In 2023, Shankar worked with Emory University to establish the Emory Global Diabetes Research Center (EGDRC) Translational Accelerator. This initiative aims to accelerate the development of technologies to address the most challenging issues in diabetes. By providing funding, education, resources and mentorship, the Accelerator supports interdisciplinary teams of scientists, clinicians, engineers, fellows, and students as they work to transform academic research into commercially viable solutions.

To complement the efforts at Emory, Shankar spearheaded the creation of the Shankar Center of Excellence in Diabetic Research (SCoEDR) within the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT Madras. This state-of-the-art center will focus on multidisciplinary research, innovative treatments, public awareness, and capacity building to significantly improve diabetes care and management in India. Collaboration between Emory University and IIT Madras will further foster the exchange of ideas, faculty and students, enhancing the global fight against diabetes.

Recognizing the pressing issue of hunger in Atlanta, which worsened in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shankar engaged with the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB). This organization is dedicated to combating hunger by engaging, educating, and empowering the community to ensure that people in metro Atlanta and North Georgia have access to nutritious meals. In recognition of their support through the Lakshan Foundation, Shankar and his wife, Lakshmi, were named "Hunger Champions" in 2023.

Through Lakshan Foundation, Shankar is also providing financial support for the construction of a new Biological Sciences Annexe building for housing the Molecular Biophysics Unit at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. The building is expected to be ready for occupation by mid 2025.

Recently, Shankar joined the Board of Advisors of Sankara Nethralaya, USA with a focus on its Mobile Eye Surgery Unit (MESU). MESU is a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing preventable blindness and providing accessible eye care to underserved communities, particularly in rural areas of India.

Shankar regularly donates to the Indian American Cultural Association (IACA), whose primary goal is to preserve and promote cultural, charitable, educational, and literary activities within the Indian community in Georgia, USA, while also organizing fundraising activities to support charitable causes.

Continuing his contributions to the technology sector, Shankar recently launched AmZetta Technologies. His enduring dedication to philanthropy and innovation stands as a testament to the profound impact that purpose-driven leadership can achieve.