Prof. S. K. Singh, former Vice Chancellor of Rajasthan Technical University, is widely regarded as a visionary academic leader whose contributions have significantly shaped science, engineering, and technology education in India. With more than 36 years of experience spanning teaching, research, administration, and consultancy, he has built a distinguished career defined by academic excellence and institutional leadership.
Holding a first-class academic record with distinction, he earned his Ph.D. from Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani and an M.Tech. from IIT BHU Varanasi. His early academic journey began as a faculty member at BITS Pilani, followed by appointments at the College of Engineering and Technology, Bathinda, and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. At the age of 35, he was selected through the Union Public Service Commission as Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Delhi Technological University, becoming one of the youngest professors appointed through this highly competitive process.
Over the years, he held key leadership roles at both the University of Delhi and Delhi Technological University, serving as Dean, Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Dean (Administration). His administrative portfolio extended to positions such as Dean (International Relations) and Dean (Alumni Affairs), reflecting his multidimensional leadership. He also served as Independent Director at WAPCOS Limited, a Government of India enterprise, and contributed as a member of the Panel of Judges for the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best integrated steel plant in India.
His governance roles have included membership on the Board of Governors of IIT (BHU) Varanasi and participation in finance and management committees across central universities and premier institutions. He has also contributed to national accreditation processes through the NBA and NAAC, strengthening quality assurance in higher education.
A prolific scholar, he has guided 15 doctoral candidates and supervised approximately 85 M.Tech. theses. His academic output includes more than 275 research papers published in reputed national and international journals, along with authorship of 10 books and seven patents. His consultancy engagements span central and state governments, public sector undertakings, and private industries, particularly in environmental engineering and infrastructure development.
He has served on numerous expert committees constituted by the Government of India, addressing issues such as industrial pollution in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, environmental compliance, project evaluation for the Department of Science and Technology, and the establishment of sewage treatment technologies. His expertise has also been sought in faculty selection committees for institutions including IGNOU, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, and various national technical institutes.
Internationally and nationally, his work has earned widespread recognition. Among his notable honors are the ESDA Global Green Award (2022), the Hiyoshi Environment Award (2021) from Japan, and the Rashtriya Shiksha Gaurav Puraskar (2014). Earlier distinctions include environmental and national development awards presented by leading professional and academic bodies, including recognition by former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma at the World Environment Congress.
Beyond academia, he has chaired the Institution of Engineers (India), Delhi State Centre, and led the Indian Society for Technical Education’s DTU Chapter. He also pioneered the Bachelor of Engineering program in Environmental Engineering at DTU, one of the earliest such initiatives in the country.
Through sustained leadership, scholarship, and public service, he has influenced institutional governance and environmental engineering education nationwide. His career reflects a rare combination of academic rigor, administrative acumen, and national commitment, positioning him as a respected figure in India’s higher education landscape.
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