Course Instructors
Prof. Henk Barendregt
Emeritus Professor, Radboud University, Netherlands
Henk Barendregt is an eminent Dutch logician and computer scientist, best known for his influential work in lambda calculus and type theory. Born in 1947, he earned both his Master’s (1968) and Ph.D. (1971) degrees cum laudefrom Utrecht University under Dirk van Dalen and Georg Kreisel. After postdoctoral research at Stanford University, he held academic positions at Utrecht and Nijmegen Universities, with visiting roles at institutions in Darmstadt, Zürich (ETH), Siena, Kyoto, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Barendregt served as Professor of Foundations of Mathematics and Computer Science at Radboud University Nijmegen from 1986 until becoming professor emeritus in 2015. His work at Nijmegen focused on Formal Mathematicsand the automated verification of mathematical proofs, continuing the legacy of N.G. de Bruijn.
In recent years, he has also contributed to the interdisciplinary study of consciousness, organizing workshops and publishing under the MBM (Mathematics–Brain–Mind) framework.
Honors and Awards:
Member, Academia Europaea (1992)
Member, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (1997)
Knighted in the Order of the Dutch Lion (2002)
Recipient, NWO Spinoza Prize (2002) – the highest scientific distinction in the Netherlands
Distinguished Lorentz Fellowship (2012), organizing a notable workshop on models of consciousness and clinical implications
Dr. Deepankar Sarmah
University of Basel, Switzerland
Dr. Deepankar Sarmah is a physicist and specialist in nanofabrication for quantum devices. He completed his BS-MS dual degree in Physics at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) before earning his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Basel in Switzerland. During his doctoral research in the Quantum and Nanoelectronics group under Prof. Christian Schönenberger, his work focused on semiconducting spin qubits, low-temperature quantum transport measurements, and advanced nanofabrication techniques for quantum technology.
Following his doctoral studies and postdoctoral research at the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, Dr. Sarmah transitioned into the quantum technology industry as a Research Scientist. He became a core team member at YQuantum, a Swiss deep-tech startup spun out of ETH Zurich and the University of Basel. In this role, he leads the development and fabrication of cutting-edge hardware components and integrated devices designed to advance scalable quantum computing systems.
Vasudeva Rao
President, Bhaktivedanta Institute Kolkata;
Alumnus, IIT Kanpur, India
Vasudeva Rao is the President of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata, a pioneering institution dedicated to exploring the interface between science and spirituality. With a background in both scientific inquiry and philosophical thought, he has played a central role in advancing the Institute’s mission to promote dialogue between modern physics, life sciences, and Vedantic wisdom. Under his leadership, the Institute has organized numerous national and international conferences, seminars, and publications aimed at fostering interdisciplinary understanding.
Mr. Rao is deeply committed to the vision of integrating scientific knowledge with spiritual insight for the betterment of humanity. His guidance has been instrumental in engaging scholars, scientists, and students in meaningful discourse on consciousness, the nature of reality, and the spiritual foundations of science. Through his efforts, the Bhaktivedanta Institute continues to serve as a unique platform for intellectual and spiritual exploration.