Mangaluru: Educationist and Srinivas University chancellor CA A Raghavendra Rao passed away in Chennai Tuesday. He was 88.Born on Oct 16, 1937, in Adka village, Udupi, to A Shama Rao and A Indiramma, Raghavendra Rao devoted his life to education, healthcare, hospitality, finance, and community service, shaping professional education and institution-building in Karnataka.After completing his commerce studies and qualifying as a chartered accountant, he began his career in 1965 by setting up an independent CA practice in Mangaluru. Starting with modest means, he built a firm recognised for integrity and professional excellence. He also served in leadership roles in the South India Regional Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, contributing to professional development and mentorship.Driven by his belief that education transforms society, he founded the A Shama Rao Foundation in 1988 in memory of his father. Under his leadership, it grew into the Srinivas Group of Institutions, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes in medicine, engineering, nursing, pharmacy, management, hotel management, allied health sciences, and other disciplines. As chancellor, he guided expansion across the Pandeshwar city campus, Pandeshwar new campus, Valachil campus in Mangaluru, Mukka campus in Surathkal, and the Bengaluru campus.The Valachil campus reflected his integrated vision of education, culture, and spirituality. In healthcare and community service, he established Srinivas Hospital. In hospitality, he founded three well-known 3-star vegetarian hotels in Mangaluru, to support practical training for hotel management students.Rao married Vijayalakshmi Rao in 1964. He is survived by his daughter Padmini Rao and son Dr A Srinivas Rao. The public paid their last respects at the Mukka campus Wednesday.
