Keeping in view the demand of the Jammuites, local Professor Dr Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Professor Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu. He succeeded Prof Varun Sahni who completed his term on December 7, 2011, and was, since then, awaiting the appointment of his successor. He is likely to take charge on January 27.
Born on November 4, 1954 in Kathua district of Jammu, Prof. Ishar was at top of three members’ panel prepared by a search committee constituted by Governor NN Vohra, in his capacity as Chancellor of the university in consultation with Chief Minister (who is Pro-Chancellor of the University) Omar Abdullah.
Originally hailing from Mandole, Poonch, now in PaK, his forefathers had migrated to Kathua. He secured second position in Jammu University in the B Sc examination and was awarded Certificate of Merit for standing first in M Sc (Chemistry) examination by University of Jammu. During his M Sc scholarship, he was the recipient of national scholarship of Government of India and did his PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
Dr. Ishar’s area of specialization is Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Organic Photochemistry and Steroid Chemistry. He has undertaken various research projects funded by different national agencies. He has 86 research publications to his credit and presented 43 research papers in various national and international conferences and symposia.
He has co-authored a book on “Synthesis of Organic Medicinal Compounds”, published by Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, and Alpha Science, Oxford, London. He has supervised several M Phil and Ph D research studies at the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
Having distinction of being a Fellow of various reputed institutions of the country, Dr Ishar has remained Junior Research Fellow, Chemistry Department, IIT, Delhi (1979-81), Senior Research Fellow, IIT, Delhi (1981-83)… He is serving as Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, since January 1999 till date.
Prof Ishar said, “It would be a proud moment for me to become Vice Chancellor of the university where I had done post graduation in Chemistry”. “My special focus would be on quality teaching and research’’, he said, adding that strengthening of existing infrastructure will also be his priority.
With his jubilance is the contentment of Jammuites as they strongly oppose non Jammu to take the coveted post where Prof. Amitabh Mattoo is still a hate figure. Let new man do the best.
