Born in June 1957, Professor N. J. Pawar obtained his B.Sc. degree securing First class with Distinction (1974) from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, and M.Sc. (Geology) with first class in 1980 from the then University of Pune (currently Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune). He later acquired his Ph.D. degree in Geology in 1985, from the University of Pune. He was the recipient of the Young Scientist Award (in 1984) instituted by the Indian Science Congress Association for his research work. For post-doctoral research, he received the prestigious British Council Fellowship for two consecutive terms in 1985 and 1987 for carrying out research at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, in the U.K. Despite hailing from a rural-based family, Dr. Pawar has risen rapidly in the academic circles through sheer perseverance and patience. He has contributed immensely to the fields of higher education teaching and research, especially in terms of his specializations in hydrogeology and environmental geochemistry. Professor Pawar has worked as a teacher, researcher and academic administrator in a professional career of over 35 years. He was a Lecturer in Geology (1986-91), Reader (1991-1999), full-time Joint Co-ordinator in the Department of Environmental Science (1993-1999), Professor of geology, (2000-2017), Head of the Department of Geology (January 2008-February 2010) at University of Pune before being appointed as a Vice-Chancellor of Shivaji University, Kolhapur (February 2010–February 2015). After the successful completion of his term as a Vice-Chancellor, he joined back as a Professor in the Department of Geology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, and superannuated in 2017. After his retirement, he worked at the Joint Centre for collaborative engagements between Savitribai Phule Pune University and Penn State University, USA for a short period (2017-2018). In May 2018 he joined Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (DPU), Pimpri, Pune as a Director (Academics) and subsequently has been appointed as a Vice-Chancellor of DPU from January 1st, 2019.
As a Vice-Chancellor of Shivaji University, Kolhapur Professor Pawar was instrumental in implementing the Semester System at the undergraduate level and the based Credit System at the Postgraduate level in 2010 and motivated faculty for upgradation in teaching skills and research. During his tenure he established two new academic programs namely 1] School of Nano Science and Technology (Integrated course of five years) and 2] Yashwantrao Chavan School of Rural Development (similar to IRMA and NIRD) with the support from the Government of Maharashtra and 3] Started Interdisciplinary Program in Life Sciences (IPLS) with the financial supports from DBT, Government of India. He also strengthened all old courses in terms of curriculum, infrastructure, resource mobilization, modern methods of teaching–learning (by making MOODLE compulsory to faculty and students) and research by generating financial resources (about 180 cr.) by way of individual research projects from DST, UGC, DBT and others, DST-PURSE program, IPLS-DBT scheme, DST-FIST funds, UGC-SAP, TEQIP (World Bank), SAIF-DST, Lead Botanical Garden and development of campus as Biodiversity Park. During this period eight departments were recognized as DST-FIST and ten as UGC-SAP supported. His efforts to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the University were supported generously by the Government of Maharashtra by providing funds (50 cr.) and sanctioning 113 teaching and administrative positions. As a result of this, the H index of the university rose from 36 in 2010 to 55 in 2015 indicating excellent research output at the international level. At the national level research ranking of Shivaji University (on the basis of the ‘p’ index) came up to 25th place and 28th place in the first NIRF ranking at the national level. Further, he supported sports activities by developing the Synthetic Athletic Track of International Standards, establishing the Space Science Studies Centre (at Panhala), and state of art Data Centre at Shivaji University. Strengthened the library by enhancing the seating capacity of students (1000) and initiated the ‘Shodhganga ETD’ project through INFLIBNET, completed campus networking under the NME-ICT project of MHRD and connected affiliated colleges with the National Knowledge Network. Several MOUs were signed at international (25)and national (10) levels and strengthened the industry-academia program (Lupin, CLRI, and Infosys). As a result of all these initiatives, Shivaji University for the first time received an “A” grade from NAAC with the highest CGPA (3.16) amongst all the universities in the State of Maharashtra at that time.
Besides academic administration, Professor Pawar has made varied and significant research contributions in the field of Geology in general and Environmental Geology, Geochemistry, and Hydrogeology in particular. His important contributions relate to the geochemistry of ground waters from the Deccan Volcanic Province with special emphasis on heavy metals, fluoride contamination, and arsenic in sediments, kidney stone epidemics, and rock-water interaction as a modern way of carbon sequestration and control over global climate change. He has successfully guided the Ph.D. research of 18 Ph.D. students in the Geology and Environmental Science departments, published over 75 research papers, edited 4 research volumes, and 2 abstract volumes, and translated 2 books on the popularization of science besides several popular articles.
In recognition of his research work, he was elected as a Fellow of the Maharashtra Academy of Sciences; a Fellow of the Geological Society of India; a Life Member, of the Association of Hydrologists of India; an Executive and Life Member, of the Gondwana Geological Society; Life Member, Indian Mineralogical Society and Indian Geotechnical Society.
Professor Pawar has made important contributions to the national-level research program launched by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. He was an active researcher in the nationwide scheme on “Science of Shallow Subsurface” developed by DST, Govt. of India. Through this research plan as a Principal Investigator, Dr. Pawar received funds for the Department of Geology for working in the oil field and industrial area. He was also the Coordinator of the DRS-SAP scheme of UGC. He has developed a collaborative research plan with Osaka City University, Japan on the “design and development of water quality data logger sensor system”, and was also involved in multi-university international research on “Solving environmental conflicts in coastal areas: global change, human mobility, and sustainable urban development” a collaborative project between universities in European Union (8), India (2) and South-East Asia (1).
In addition to this, he strengthened industry-academia interaction by involving the faculty members in the program of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), ONGC-Energy Centre, and Reliance Industries, while working as HOD in the Department of Geology, University of Pune. Through these initiatives, Dr. Pawar has developed state-of-the-art infrastructure in the Department of Geology. Professor Pawar was largely instrumental in modifying the admission process in Geology by introducing an entrance examination and also designed and introduced new one-year diploma courses in Geology such as “Geo-environmental Appraisal and Management” and “Geotechnology” both attracting students from Geology, Environmental
Science and Civil Engineering streams. His ideas have helped in inculcating the spirit of competitiveness in the faculty as well as students both at Shivaji University, Kolhapur, and the Geology Department of S.P. Pune University, Pune. Professor Pawar strongly believes that it is of prime importance to share knowledge and information with the local communities so that informed choices and decisions can be made for social good.
