A Cut Above the Rest

Popularly known as ‘MMS,’ former director of the University Department of Chemical Technology, the first Indian to win the Fellowship of the Royal Society of London and the ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ of the scientific establishment, has made a mark in more ways than one. Professor Sharma’s vision has produced many eminent technocrats and academicians. R A Mashelkar, Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), known for his crusade to hold rights for valuable patents in the area of industrial science, refers to him as “Gurujiâ€. Mukesh Ambani, vice-chairman of Reliance Industries, is also a UDCT graduate.

As director of UDCT, widely considered the leading national institution in the field of chemical engineering, Sharma oversaw the rise of a research culture that has few parallels.

Through the 80’s and 90’s, he created a framework in which fundamental or academic research could enrich the more utilitarian or applied aspects of chemical technology. The benefits were threefold industry began to look upon UDCT as the storehouse of sourcing techniques, Ph.D studies became a viable option for students who were now ensured of better placements and the cash-strapped institute and faculty discovered a supplementary source of income in consultancy work.

“Relations with the industry encouraged students to stay on and do their Ph.Ds because they knew they could train under faculty who were alive to the needs of the real world. To replicate this model, you have to create a culture, just facilities won’t do,†the professor explains.

And truly so. The chemical industry is, by and large, the domain of the private sector. Revenue from consultancies and endowments for research have been sizeable. Last year, for instance, UDCT’s faculty earned a crore by lending its expertise for professional work. The interaction has also turned the campus into a talent-hunting ground for corporates.

“Fundamental research is looked upon as a luxury in India. The truth is, it’s not. Applied research flows from its academic aspect,†says Prof Sharma. “Take the example of lasers. When research on the subject began, no one imagined that it could have so many applications. Today, lasers are used for eye surgery as well as cutting diamonds.â€

The man’s influence over the scientific fraternity is immense. Sharma’s protege, Mashelkar, has sought to implement the same cherished principle of self-sufficiency in running the CSIR, a body that oversees the working of most government-funded research labs. External cash flows (from patents, consultancy and industrial innovations) are targeted as an income source to mobilise one-third of CSIR’s total fund requirement.

Even as a role model for peers and students, Professor Sharma, who was the youngest ever scientist to win the prestigious S S Bhatnagar Prize for Engineering Sciences at the age of 36, has set unbeaten standards. “In terms of scientific contribution, his work in microphase catalysis in the mid-70’s was the first of its kind in the world,†says Professor J B Joshi, UDCT’s current director.

But what is remarkable about Man Mohan Sharma’ achievements is that he managed to overcome the financial constraints that typically exist in centres of higher education in India. He himself laments the lack of funding support from governments, but makes no excuses for teachers and researchers who are unable to overcome the handicap. “Never buy this crib that some teachers give about poor facilities,†he says.

After a 33-year-long career studded with numerous laurels, it is ironic that the professor is now finally “making a kill.†“I do consultancy work through which I make more money than I ever did in my professional career. It’s much more than I need, and I don’t even have my children around me to spend it on,†he shrugs.