Professor Pawan K. Sharma, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Central University of Haryana, is a distinguished academic with over 29 years of university teaching and 34 years of research experience. His career exemplifies a deep understanding of research, academic administration, and student development in Indian higher education. Before his current role, he served as Director IQAC and Dean Research at Central University of Haryana. As a Professor of Chemistry at Kurukshetra University, he served the University for more than 25 years, also holding positions as Dean Research & Development and Dean Students' Welfare, where he fostered a vibrant research ecosystem and promoted holistic education.
Professor Sharma's extensive involvement in higher education governance across Haryana and beyond, including serving on Executive Councils and Academic Councils of several prominent universities has given him profound insights into policy-making and strategic decision-making in shaping university direction.
His international experience provides a unique lens through which to view the development of higher education system in India. As a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence and Visiting Professor at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, USA during 2023-2024, he gained further exposure to innovative pedagogical practices and campus development strategies in the American higher education system. His participation in the Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Award in 2019 enabled him to visit 17 distinguished US universities, including institutions in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York, further broadening his perspective on higher education administration.
As a prolific researcher, Professor Sharma has authored 149 research publications in international journals besides holding several patents. His research impact is evidenced by an h-index of 38 and an i-10-index of 97. His research collaborations span the globe, including a long-standing partnership with the Nucleic Acid Center in Denmark, visiting the institution annually from 2007 to 2016 and holding positions as Visiting Professor and Guest Researcher. These experiences have provided him with a global benchmark for excellence in research and education. His research visits abroad to dozens of countries spanning across six continents underscore his commitment to global learning and establishing international networks for collaborations.
His contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Srinivasa Ramanujan Birth Centenary Award Gold Medal by the Indian Science Congress Association, the Bronze Medal by the Chemical Research Society of India, and the National Award by the Indian Chemical Society affirming his commitment to scientific advancement and his significant contributions to his field.
Beyond academia, Professor Sharma is deeply committed to community service and science popularization. As Programme Coordinator for Youth Red Cross, he organized numerous awareness rallies, blood donation camps, and health checkup camps besides helping university initiatives to adopt and develop villages that earned him the Youth Red Cross Award from the Governor of Haryana. He strives to increase the societal impact of scientific work by explaining complex concepts in simple terms, relating them to everyday concerns.
Notably, Professor Sharma is the first and the only scientist from Haryana to participate as a Member Scientist in the XXI Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica, demonstrating his commitment to scientific exploration and environmental awareness. His multifaceted career and global perspective continue to shape his contributions to higher education, research, and community development in India.
