Profile

Prof. (Dr.) Himanshu Pandya, is appointed as 17th Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University. Born on 8th November 1971, he started his academic carrier in 1995 as a Lecturer. As a scientist, he is working on developmental methods for utilization of novel techniques in plant sciences, bioinformatics, forensic biology and climate change impacts management. He has always strived to ensure that research conducted and guided by him is aimed to address fundamental needs of the society as well as inter-disciplinary initiatives since last 23 years.

During his long career as an academician, Prof. Pandya has coordinated more than 310 academic programmes and more than 180 publications of national and international repute. He has 16 major projects from DST, DBT, UGC, MoES, SAC-ISRO, MoEF, GoG, GoI, etc. to his credit and 5 academic foreign visits to USA, Canada, Italy, Switzerland and UK. He has also guided more than 120 students for their masters and research degree. A Gujarat University alumnus Prof. Pandya has worked as chairman, dean, registrar, director, coordinator, head, member and third party evaluator for many executive and statutory bodies of nationally and internationally acclaimed academia.

Prof. Himanshu Pandya has received President’s award for National Service Scheme (NSS) by Hon. President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovindji on behalf of Gujarat University at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. He is also instrumental in establishing Technology Business Incubator (TBI) for more than 100 startups - one of the largest zero-day zero-cost coworking spaces in the country funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST). His efforts have resulted in Gujarat University to become the only state aided university in the nation to have an Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) funded by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Ayog, New Delhi. As an institution builder, his leadership has led to establishment of a Research Park for industry academia research collaboration and extension, i.e. Gujarat University Park for Industrial Extension and Research (GU-PIER) funded by Government of Gujarat, Centre for Indic Studies (CIS) for cultural and historical research and two Finishing Schools for bioinformatics and molecular diagnosis funded by Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM). He has also drafted national policy for Forensic Council of India, Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP), Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), Anti-Plagiarism Policy, MPhil/PhD Ordinances, Fee Review Committee document for Universities, GU-Consultancy Cell (GUCC), Council for Skill and Innovation (CSI), etc. Prof. Pandya has introduced highly employable and skill oriented courses at Gujarat University ranging from Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, Toxicology, Climate Change Impacts Management, Biodiversity Management, Plant Tissue Culture, Pharmaceutical Science, Geoinformatics, Geology, Horticulture Science and Garden Management, Heritage and Indian Culture and courses for various 21 international languages.