Goverdhan Mehta facts for kids

Goverdhan Mehta was born on June 26, 1943, in India. He is a very important scientist and researcher. From 1998 to 2005, he was the director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), which is a top research university in India. Before that, from 1977 to 1998, he was a chemistry professor and a leader at the University of Hyderabad. Dr. Mehta has written over 550 research papers, sharing his discoveries with the world.

His Journey in Science

Dr. Mehta studied hard to become a scientist. He earned his first degrees (BSc and MSc) from BITS Pilani and then his PhD from Pune University in 1967. After that, he did more research in the United States at Michigan State University and Ohio State University.

He started his teaching career at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 1969. Later, he became a professor of chemistry at the University of Hyderabad in 1977. He worked there until 1998. From 1998 to 2010, he was a professor at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Since 2010, he has been a special professor at the University of Hyderabad.

Dr. Mehta has written more than 450 scientific papers. He has also received over 40 special degrees from universities in India and other countries. He has given more than 300 talks and lectures around the world. He was also a member of important science groups that advised the Prime Minister of India.

Important Roles and Positions

Dr. Goverdhan Mehta has held many important jobs throughout his career:

• He was a researcher in the US from 1967 to 1969.
• He taught at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur from 1969 to 1977.
• He became a professor at the University of Hyderabad in 1977 and was a founding dean there.
• He was a visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame in the USA in 1990.
• He served as the Vice-Chancellor (a top leader) of the University of Hyderabad from 1994 to 1998.
• From 1998 to 2005, he was a professor and the Director of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
• He was a National Research Professor from 2009 to 2014.
• He has held special professorships at the University of Hyderabad, including the Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy Chair since 2018.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Mehta has received many awards for his amazing work in science. Some of these include:

• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology (1978) – This is a very high award for science in India.
• FICCI Award in Physical Sciences (1983).
• G.D. Birla Award for Excellence in Science (1992).
• Humboldt Prize from Germany (1995) – He was the first person in India to receive this award.
• Padma Shri from the Government of India (2001) – This is one of India's highest civilian honors.
• TWAS Medal from the World Academy of Sciences (2001).
• Legion of Honour from France (2004) – This is a very prestigious French award.
• Centenary Prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry (2005).
• Trieste Science Prize from the World Academy of Sciences (2007).
• Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2016).
• INSA Medal for Promotion and Service to Science (2017).

Fellowships and Memberships

Dr. Mehta is a member of many important science groups and academies. Being a "Fellow" means he is recognized as a top expert in his field.

• Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy.
• Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences.
• Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences.
• Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences.
• Fellow of the Royal Society – This is a very old and respected scientific academy in the UK.
• Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Leadership in Science Organizations

Dr. Mehta has also led many important science organizations:

• President of the Indian National Science Academy (1999-2001).
• President of the Chemical Research Society of India (2002-2005).
• President of the Association of Indian Universities (2003).
• President of the ICSU (2005-2008) – This is a global organization for science.
• Chairperson of the National Accreditation and Assessment (NAAC) (2006-2012).
• Chairman of the board of governors for the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur (2014-2018).
• Chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata (2016-2020).