Man Mohan Sharma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Man Mohan Sharma
FRS FREng
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Sharma (in the middle) at the convocation of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University.
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| Born | 1 May 1937 Jodhpur, Jodhpur State, British India
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| Alma mater | Institute of Chemical Technology Cambridge University |
| Awards | • Padma Vibhushan (2001) • Padma Bhushan (1987) • Leverhulme Medal (1996) • Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (1973) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemical Engineering |
| Institutions | Institute of Chemical Technology |
Man Mohan Sharma, born on May 1, 1937, is a famous Indian chemical engineer. He studied in Jodhpur, Mumbai, and at Cambridge University. When he was just 27, he became a professor of Chemical Engineering at the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai. He later became the Director of this institute, which was a big achievement for a chemical engineering professor.
In 1990, Professor Sharma became the first Indian engineer to be chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society in the UK. This is a very high honor! He received many important awards from the President of India, including the Padma Bhushan in 1987 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001. He also won the Leverhulme Medal and the S.S. Bhatnagar Prize in Engineering Sciences in 1973.
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Education and Early Career
Professor Sharma earned his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree in 1958 from the UDCT (now called the Institute of Chemical Technology). He then got his Master's degree in 1960. In 1964, he completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering at Cambridge University. His guide there was Peter Danckwerts.
After finishing his studies, he returned to India in 1964. He became a professor at the University of Bombay. Later, he became the Director of the UDCT. He worked as a professor for 33 years at UDCT. He also served as the Director of the institute for 8 years.
Amazing Work in Chemical Engineering
Professor Sharma made many important contributions to chemical engineering. He studied how different chemicals react, especially in industrial processes. For example, he researched how carbon dioxide (CO2) reacts in water. His work helped us understand how to make these reactions happen faster.
He also explored how tiny parts of liquids can affect chemical reactions. He was a pioneer in this area. Professor Sharma became an editor for a major science journal, Chemical Engineering Science, at a young age. He taught many different subjects in chemical engineering. He always encouraged his students to publish their research in well-known journals.
Under his leadership, the UDCT became an independent institution. This meant it could make its own decisions about courses and research. The number of students earning PhDs from the institute also increased significantly.
A Book About His Life
In June 2025, a book called Divine Scientist was published. This book tells the story of Professor Man Mohan Sharma's life. It also talks about his important contributions to science. The book was written by Anita Patil. It highlights his journey in academics and his pioneering research. It also shows how he helped shape science education in India.
The book was launched at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in Mumbai. This is the same place where he worked as Director for many years. The book has also been translated into Marathi by Soniya Khare. This makes it available to more readers in India.
Awards and Honors
Professor Sharma has received many prestigious awards. In 1977, he won the Moulton Medal from the Institution of Chemical Engineers. This institution even created an award in his honor, the M M Sharma Medal. This medal is given for outstanding research in chemical engineering.
He won the Leverhulme Medal from the Royal Society. This was for his work on how different phases of chemicals react in industrial processes. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 1987 from the President of India. He was also the President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) from 1989 to 1990.
He is a Fellow of many important science academies. These include the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society in London. He was also chosen as an Honorary Fellow by the Royal Academy of Engineering. He is a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Engineering. Many universities, including the IITs, have given him honorary doctorates.
In 2025, when his biography Divine Scientist was released, his former student Mukesh Ambani made a very generous gift. He donated ₹151 crore (which is about US$16.7 million) to the Institute of Chemical Technology. This gift was given to honor Professor Sharma and his amazing work.
