Mangaluru: The former vice chancellor of Mangaluru University Prof K Byrappa passed away on Monday due to cardiac arrest at Bengaluru International Airport.

Byrappa, the well known academician, served as the 8th vice chancellor of Mangaluru University from June 2014 to June 2018.

As per the sources, Byrappa suffered a cardiac arrest at Bengaluru airport early in the morning while on his way to Belagavi today. Byrappa, hailed from Mysuru, got his master’s degree with distinction from Mysore University.

Having expertise in chemistry of materials, crystallography, experimental mineralogy, crystal chemistry, nanotechnology, solid state science, materials science and environmental science, he was responsible for getting RUSA and PURSE grants to the university.

Prof Byrappa is survived by his wife Sunita and two sons, Shayan and Nayan.