5 - Pritam Sharma

In recognition of extraordinary accomplishment and achievement, the University of Birmingham awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree to Professor Pritam B. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of Delhi Technological University, on July 3rd 2013. The Degree was awarded by Sir Dominic Cadbury at the University’s Convocation ceremony in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Professor David Eastwood, Head of the School of Mechanical Engineering Professor Duc Pham and other Deans and Heads of Departments.

Speaking on the occasion and addressing the young graduands, Professor Sharma said “You must recognise the value and worth of knowledge which is embodied in the degrees you are receiving today. You are in fact ordained to practice your knowledge for the benefit of the society and Mother Nature with utmost sincerity, fairness and with highest levels of professional morality and personal integrity. This requires paying the greatest attention to the minutest details. The success in life can never be denied if such a commitment is exhibited in your professional life.”

Professor Sharma is the founder Vice-Chancellor of Delhi Technological University and has been Director and Principal of Delhi College of Engineering. He is a former Professor of IIT Delhi, founder Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi Technological University, former President of Engineering Science Division of Indian Science Congress. Professor Sharma has a long and illustrious association with DCE and DTU spanning over 21 years. He has steered the growth of this premier institution since December 1990, nurtured research and innovation culture and led the institution to great heights of glory and repute worldwide.

A man of vision and firm resolve to nurture excellence, Professor Sharma holds a Doctorate from University of Birmingham and has made distinguished contributions to the advancement of frontiers of knowledge in the areas of Aero Engineering Technology, Power Plant Engineering, New and Renewable Energy Resources and Knowledge and Innovation Management.

Professor Sharma is a fellow of World Academy of Productivity Sciences, Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India), Fellow of Aeronautics Society of India and also a Fellow of ISTE. A crusader for synergy between science and engineering, Professor Sharma’s vision is to create the “Power of Science” and “Might of Technology” in institutions of higher learning such as the technical university like DTU. During his long tenure at DCE, a good number of innovations have rolled out on the strength of inter-disciplinary engineering, generally drawn from the innovative genius of UG student community. Supported and supervised by the learned faculty these include India’s first Hybrid Car, Super Mileage Vehicle, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Robotic Submarine and Unmanned Aircraft System. All these participated in international competitions and have received high international acclaim.

Professor Sharma’s Honorary Doctorate coincides with the University of Birmingham and Delhi Technological University have signed a new partnership agreement this week promoting collaboration in teaching and research activities. The Memorandum of Understanding will enable the two institutions to explore joint research and development in Computational Intelligence and Cyber Security, Bio-medical Engineering, Material Science, Robotics and Machine Vision, and Renewable Energy Systems.