Goverdhan Mehta facts for kids

Goverdhan Mehta, born on June 26, 1943, is a famous Indian scientist and researcher. He is known for his important work in organic chemistry. He led the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) as its director from 1998 to 2005. Before that, he was a chemistry professor and a leader (vice-chancellor) at the University of Hyderabad for many years, from 1977 to 1998. He has written over 550 scientific papers!

A Scientist's Journey

Goverdhan Mehta studied hard to become a scientist. He earned his first degrees, a BSc and MSc, from BITS Pilani. Then, he got 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 in India at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 1969. Later, he became a professor of chemistry at the University of Hyderabad in 1977. He stayed there for a long time, 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. He has also held important positions like the Lilly-Jubilant Chair Professor. Dr. Mehta has written more than 450 research papers, sharing his discoveries with the world. He has also received over 40 honorary doctorates, which are special degrees given to honor his achievements. He has given more than 300 talks at universities and institutions around the globe.

He was even a member of important groups that advised the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on science.

Important Roles and Positions

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

• He was a researcher in the US at Michigan State and Ohio State Universities 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 also a founding dean there.
• He was an honorary professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.
• From 1994 to 1998, he was the Vice-Chancellor (a top leader) of the University of Hyderabad.
• He worked as a professor in the Department of Organic Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Science from 1998 to 2005.
• He also served as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore from 1998 to 2005.
• He was the President of the Indian National Science Academy from 1999 to 2001.
• He was also the President of the Chemical Research Society of India from 2002 to 2005.
• From 2005 to 2008, he was the President of the International Council for Science (ICSU), an important global science organization.
• He chaired the National Accreditation and Assessment (NAAC) from 2006 to 2012.
• He was the Chairman of the board of governors for the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur from 2014 to 2018.
• He also chaired the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata from 2016 to 2020.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Mehta has received many awards for his amazing contributions to science. Here are some of them:

• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology (1978): This is one of the highest science awards in India.
• FICCI Award in Physical Sciences (1983)
• Golden Jubilee Commemoration Medal (Chemical Sciences) (1989)
• G.D. Birla Award for Excellence in Science (1992)
• Humboldt Prize (1995): This is a very important award from Germany. He was the first person in India to receive it!
• Padma Shri (2001): A high civilian award given by the Government of India.
• TWAS Medal (2001) from the World Academy of Sciences.
• Legion of Honour (2004): A very prestigious award from France.
• Centenary Prize (2005) from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
• Trieste Science Prize (2007) from the World Academy of Sciences.
• H. K. Firodia Award for Science & Technology (2010).
• Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2016): Another high honor from Germany.

Fellowships

Being a "Fellow" means you are recognized as an expert in your field by a respected group. Dr. Mehta is a Fellow of many important academies and societies:

• Indian National Science Academy
• Indian Academy of Sciences
• National Academy of Sciences
• World Academy of Sciences
• Royal Society (UK)
• Russian Academy of Sciences (Foreign Member)
• Royal Society of Chemistry