Meghalaya, May 18: The University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya is delighted to announce that Vice-Chancellor Professor Shri Gauri Dutt Sharma has been bestowed the honour of being elected by ISSA as the President of the National Academy of Social Science, Allahabad, for two consecutive years i.e., 2025-26 and 2026-27.
In his remarks following the election, Vice-Chancellor Professor Shri Gauri Dutt Sharma said:
“It is a great honour to serve as President of the National Academy of Social Science. I look forward to working with scholars and institutions across the country to strengthen research, foster innovation, and contribute to evidence-based social policy for a better future.”
The University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya extends its heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed Indian Social Science Academy (ISSA) for bestowing this honour upon Vice Chancellor, Shri Gauri Dutt Sharma.
Honourable Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque of The University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya said, “I congratulate Vice-Chancellor Professor Shri Gauri Dutt Sharma on his remarkable achievement and am proud that his fortitude will be a marvellous asset to ISSA going forward. I wish him great success.”
Vice Chancellor Professor Shri Gauri Dutt Sharma is a visionary leader with a global vision with vast knowledge and experience, expertise and wisdom to help bring to fruition the dreams of the new generation of the twenty-first century. Coupled with his skills is his humanity, gentleness, compassion, frankness, honesty, transparency and accountability with excellent governance. Upholding the flag of “Unity in Diversity”with inclusiveness, his gentle touch fortified with administrative acumen and research credentials contribute greatly for the cause of national development with a global pitch.
He was the recipient of the Doctor Narasimhan Medal award for the best research paper, in 1994, and completed his post-doctorate (honorary) at Sheffield University, United Kingdom in 1991.
He is a seasoned traveler and his academic voyages span the USA, UK, Canada, Japan, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Gabon, Central Africa, and Qatar. As a distinguished educationist, eminent scholar, renowned life scientist, and respected academic administrator, he holds nearly 45 years of service in higher education.
He has held several key positions, including former President of Association of Indian Universities, largest Association of the world and second oldest in the world; Vice Chancellor of Nagaland Central University; Founder Vice Chancellor of Bilaspur University and Atal Bihari Vajpayee University (Chhattisgarh), and currently serves as Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya.
Shri Professor Gauri Sharma has notably contributed to academic development in India’s tribal regions, especially in the North-Eastern and Central states. His tenure in central universities such as NEHU (Meghalaya), Mizoram University, NERIST (Arunachal Pradesh), and Nagaland University is heralded by his outstanding leadership roles as Head, Dean, Pro Vice Chancellor, and Vice-Chancellor. He has played a vital role in promoting research, human resource development, and community engagement in these regions.
In 2005, the Ministry of External Affairs deputed Prof. Sharma to Myanmar (University of Rangoon) to enhance higher education standards. His interactions with academic and diplomatic communities in neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh have helped strengthen India’s educational and socio-political ties.
An advocate for human values, peace, and individual dignity, Professor G.D. Sharma frequently delivers talks at academic forums on these subjects. He has received numerous awards and honours and delivered prestigious lectures, including the S.K. Barua Memorial Lecture (Calcutta University), CSIR Foundation Day Lecture (NEIST, Jorhat), and others.
The ISSA was founded 51 years ago on August 15, 1974, and is the only academy for social sciences in India with its headquarters based in Allahabad. This great institution aspires to evaluate, integrate and disseminate scientific information networking between humans, society and the natural environment in the backdrop of the tangible realities of India while building symbiotic relations between natural sciences, technology and social sciences. The ultimate goal is to build high-tech laboratories to nurture the scientific temper of the people to widen their horizons to the sphere of innovation, creativity, self-reliance, wealth and happiness which will enhance the nation’s progress.
The UGC, DST, ICSSR, ICHR, ICPR, INSA, ISRO, CSIR and ICMR strengthen the pillars of ISSA in support.
Vice Chancellor Shri Gauri Dutt Sharma looks ahead in eager anticipation to fulfil his new role as the President of the Indian National Academy of Social Science for two years foreseeing the innovative steps they can charter together in the powerful sphere of social science.
