Prof. Gauri Dutt Sharma Takes Charge as President of Association of Indian Universities

NEW DELHI: In a grand ceremony held at the AIU headquarters in New Delhi, Prof. Gauri Dutt Sharma, Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), officially took charge as the President of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). With an illustrious career as a scientist and academic, Prof. Sharma has held esteemed positions, including Vice Chancellor of Bilaspur University, Founder Vice Chancellor of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Viswavidyalaya, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, and Pro Vice Chancellor of Assam University.

Speaking on this occasion, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM stated, “It is a proud moment for the entire family of the northeastern universities as a Vice Chancellor of a university from the North East has been selected and given the responsibility of leading the Indian universities as the President of AIU”.

Prof. Sharma's expertise lies in the field of life sciences, and his contributions extend beyond academia. He has served as the editor of seven Journals and has an impressive publication record of more than 261 research papers. Additionally, he is an esteemed member of various academic societies in India and abroad. Prof. Sharma succeeded Prof. Suranjan Das, the outgoing President of AIU and Vice Chancellor of Jadavpur University.

The appointment of Prof. Gauri Dutt Sharma as President of AIU is a significant milestone for the northeastern universities. Speaking on the occasion, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM, expressed pride in having a Vice Chancellor from the North East leading Indian universities in such a prominent role.

Established in 1925 as the Indian universities board and later renamed AIU in 1967, the Association of Indian Universities is the world's second-oldest and largest university association. It boasts 954 university members, including 20 foreign universities. AIU plays a crucial role in granting equivalence to degrees from foreign universities and providing recognition to private boards on behalf of the Government of India.

The association has a rich history of distinguished presidents, such as Dr. S Radhakrishnan, Dr. Zakir Hussain, and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. AIU organizes several meetings and conferences on higher education, including a yearly gathering. It also takes charge of regional, national, and international sports events, including the renowned Khelo India initiative, youth cultural festivals, research innovation programs, and more.

The installation ceremony witnessed the presence of notable individuals, including Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of AIU, Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak, Vice President Designate & VC of CSJM University, Kanpur, Prof. Najma Akhter, VC of Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, and several other Vice Chancellors from renowned universities across the country.

Prof. Gauri Dutt Sharma's appointment as President of AIU marks a significant achievement for both the academic community and the northeastern universities. With his expertise and leadership, Prof. Sharma is poised to guide Indian universities towards further advancements and recognition on the global stage.

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