Prof. M. C. Sharma, Director & Vice Chancellor IVRI Deemd University
Prof. Mahesh Chandra Sharma joined as Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar on 14th September, 2009 on selection by Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board. Born on 7th January, 1952 in Aligarh District of Uttar Pradesh, he did his graduation in veterinary science and animal husbandry, post-graduation and doctorate with specialization in veterinary medicine from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar.
Prof. Sharma started his scientific career as a Scientist S-I following his selection in Agricultural Research Service of ICAR in 1978 in the Division of Veterinary Medicine at IVRI, Izatnagar. He was deputed as Diplomatic Indian Livestock Expert by Govt. of India to Govt. of Vietnam to establish veterinary medicine laboratories and polyclinic at Buffalo Breeding Research Centre, Song Be, Vietnam during the years 1982 to 1984. He also served as an ITEC expert to Govt. of Mauritius and contributed to the identification of several animal health problems and developed a project for the macro and micro-nutrient deficiency diseases in bovines. On his return from these assignments, he worked in different capacities as Scientist S-2 and Principal Scientist in the Division of Veterinary Medicine. He served the GBPUA&T, Pantnagar as Prof. and Head, Department of Preventive Medicine and as Joint Director (Veterinary Extension) from 1996 to 2000. While working as National Fellow of ICAR, he was selected as Joint Director (Extension Education) at this institute. He had the honour to serve as the Director, Central Institute of Research on Goats at Makhdoom, Farah, Mathura on his selection by ASRB for a little over one year during 2008 – 09 before he assumed the charge of the post of Director, IVRI, Izatnagar.
Prof. Sharma during these eventful years of professional service immensely contributed to more than 30 research projects of national and international importance and received a number of national, international and team awards in recognition of his significant contributions to research and development. Some of the awards that need a mention are Vigyan Shree Upadhi Award (1996), ICAR Hari Om Ashram Trust Award (1997), Eminent Agriculture Scientist Award from U.P. Council of Agricultural Research for the year 2003-2004, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award (2004), National Academy of Agricultural Sciences NAAS Recognition Award (2005), National Technology Innovation Award of Science and Technology (2005), Bharat Excellence Award (2005), Life Time Achievement Award of Mobilization (2005) and Appreciation Award of Rotary Club (2005), Prof. Sharma received the prestigious WIPO international award from Geneva (2006) for his pioneering and valuable contributions to intellectual property management in India, Certificate of Appreciation from Govt. of Mauritius and Govt. of Malaysia in 2004 and from the Coordinator for SAARC Countries for International Tropical Veterinary Association in recognition of his valuable professional services.
Prof. Sharma is also a recipient of Fellowship of the IAAVR (1997), National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (1999), Indian Society of Veterinary Medicine (2000) and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2003). The other notable awards received by him were Smt. P.Z. Sharma, Gold Medal for Canine Medicine (1997), ICAR National Fellow (2000), Shri Ram Lal Agarwal Award (2002), Dr. C.M. Singh Award (2004), Dr. D.C. Blood Gold Medal and Best Clinical Award. Prof. Sharma also had the distinction of serving as elected President of Indian Society for Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Prof. Sharma has been a member of several important committees of Government of India, SAUs and other agencies in the country.
Prof. Sharma has authored and edited more than 40 books in veterinary science and allied subjects. He is an author of more than 250 research papers published in national and international journals of repute besides several lead papers, keynote lectures and scientific papers delivered by him in various fora in India and abroad. He guided sixteen MVSc and PhD students in the discipline of Veterinary Medicine. He has registered 11 technologies for award of patents, of which two technologies received the patent grants. The technologies piloted by him have been licensed to ten reputed commercial houses. His contributions to the development of technologies on Area specific mineral mixture for Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Delhi State, and Olinall, a skin ointment received wide approbation by all concerned. Under his dynamic leadership as Director, CIRG, this institute bagged three ICAR awards and three more awards in 2009 from the Home Ministry, Govt. of India.