Ajaib Singh Brar

Professor Ajaib Singh Brar
35th Vice-chancellor of the University of Lucknow
In office 2008-2009
Preceded by	Prof. Ram Prakash Singh
Succeeded by	Professor Upendra Nath Dwivedi
Vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University
In office 2009-2017
Preceded by	Dr.Jai Rup Singh Pannu
Succeeded by	Dr.Jaspal Singh Sandhu
Personal details
Born	(1947-01-01)January 1, 1947
Nationality	India
Alma mater	Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
Awards	Saraswati Samman (2009): For contributions to education; Fellow: National Academy of Sciences, India

Ajaib Singh Brar is an Indian academician, researcher, and administrator. He served as the vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, from July 15, 2009, to 2017. Prior to this role, he was the vice-chancellor of the University of Lucknow, where he implemented various reforms to improve the university's administration and academic standards. Brar is recognized for his contributions to chemistry, particularly in catalysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, photochemistry, and NMR spectroscopy of polymers.

Early life and education

Brar began his academic journey in Faridkot, Punjab, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in 1968. He then pursued a Master of Science at Punjabi University, Patiala, and continued his academic pursuits by earning a Ph.D. in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, in 1977. His early research achievements garnered recognition, earning him a UNESCO fellowship during his doctoral studies, which further underscored his potential in the field of chemistry.

Career

Guru Nanak Dev University (1976-1982)

Brar started his teaching career as a lecturer in chemistry at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. This laid the foundation for an illustrious career in academia and research.

IIT Delhi (1982 Onwards)

In 1982, he joined IIT Delhi as an assistant professor of chemistry, eventually rising to the rank of Professor (Higher Academic Grade). His roles included:

• Head of the Department of Chemistry
• Joint Professor at the Centre for Polymer Science and Engineering

At IIT Delhi, Brar made significant contributions to chemistry and helped establish the High-Resolution NMR Center. He played a key role in organizing national entrance exams such as GATE and JMET, and the DRDO-SET for recruiting scientists for the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Vice-chancellor, University of Lucknow (2008-2009)

During his tenure as vice-chancellor of the University of Lucknow from January 2008 to 2009, Brar introduced significant reforms aimed at strengthening both the academic and administrative framework of the university. His efforts focused on streamlining governance by implementing policies that enhanced transparency and efficiency in decision-making, resulting in a more effective administrative structure.

Brar also made critical improvements to the examination system, taking steps to modernize procedures and reduce irregularities. These reforms not only increased the credibility of the examination process but also helped to prevent delays in results. A notable achievement during his tenure was the successful organization of the Combined Pre-Medical Test (CPMT) 2008, a key medical entrance examination in Uttar Pradesh. His leadership ensured a fair and smooth examination process, benefiting thousands of aspiring medical students.

His commitment to academic standards was reflected in efforts to revise curricula, introduce new programs, and promote quality education that aligned with evolving industry requirements. He also prioritized faculty development and research initiatives, encouraging faculty members to engage in scholarly work. Improvements in infrastructure, such as classroom renovations, library modernization, and laboratory upgrades, further enhanced the university's learning environment.

The university's recognition of prominent individuals during his tenure added to its prestige, exemplified by the conferment of an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Lit.) on the then-President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, in 2008. Brar's period at the University of Lucknow marked a phase of transformation that set a solid foundation for the institution's future growth and progress.

Brar's tenure as vice-chancellor at the University of Lucknow concluded in 2009 when he departed to assume the role at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar. His departure marked the end of a transformative period, during which he implemented reforms that strengthened academic structures and improved administrative efficiency. Brar left behind a more robust institution, with initiatives in governance, examination processes, and infrastructure laying a solid foundation for future growth and development

Vice-chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University (2009-2017)

Brar returned to GNDU as vice-chancellor in 2009, marking a homecoming to the institution where he began his career. During his tenure as vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Brar implemented several impactful initiatives that significantly enhanced the institution's academic and infrastructural landscape. He launched a program aimed at preparing 50 rural students in the Non-Medical stream for engineering entrance exams, reflecting his commitment to rural education. Under his leadership, the university achieved notable success in sports, winning the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for 2009–10. Brar also spearheaded infrastructure development, overseeing the construction of new academic blocks, hostel facilities, and an astro-turf hockey ground. He established a Centre for Genetic Disorders and introduced a credit-based evaluation system for postgraduate courses, furthering research and academic reforms. Additionally, GNDU became the first university in Punjab to implement online admissions and computerize its examination systems, demonstrating a strong commitment to technological integration. His efforts secured over INR 170 crores in funding for various research centers and infrastructure projects, contributing to the university's growth and development.

Academic contributions

Brar published over 210 research papers in reputed international and national journals and delivered more than 115 lectures at conferences worldwide. He was invited by prestigious organizations like the American Chemical Society and The Royal Academy of The Netherlands for Arts and Science. He also collaborated with RWTH Aachen University in Germany, serving as a visiting faculty member in 2005 and 2006.

Research collaborations

Brar established research partnerships with institutions such as RWTH Aachen University, Germany, a top-ranked technical university. His research interests include catalysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, photochemistry, and NMR spectroscopy of polymers.

Administrative achievements

Brar's leadership style is characterized by transparency, commitment to academic excellence, and infrastructural advancements. Key administrative achievements include:

• Chairman of GATE and JMET (2002, 2004): Oversaw the organization of these national-level entrance exams.
• Chairman of DRDO-SET 2004: Managed the selection of around 600 scientists for DRDO laboratories.
• Memberships: Active in national committees for higher education and research, including the executive committee of the National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC). He is also on the Governing Council of the Centre of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance at SGPGI, Lucknow.

Awards and recognition

• Outstanding Research Award (1994): IIT Delhi
• U.P. Ratan Award (2008): All India Conference of Intellectuals
• Saraswati Samman (2009): For contributions to education
• Fellowships: Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and Punjab Academy of Sciences

Legacy

Brar's legacy lies in his dedication to enhancing the quality of higher education in India. His efforts to foster academic excellence, promote research, and improve university administration have left a lasting impact on the institutions he served, especially Guru Nanak Dev University, which saw significant growth and achievements during his tenure.