People : Prof Durgesh Pant

Prof Durgesh Pant,

Director General, UCOST, Director, USAC

With over 35 years of multifaceted contributions in Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Durgesh Pant has played a crucial role in transforming Uttarakhand's Science and Technology landscape through collaboration, teamwork, and creativity. A votary of Himalayan intelligence and traditional knowledge system, he has been staunch supporter of sustainable development with focus on conservation of environment, wild life and natural resources across the Himalayan region. As an institution builder, Prof Pant has been instrumental in establishing many greenfield universities and institutions of higher learning and strategic importance in the state.

As the Director General of the Uttarakhand Council for Science & Technology (UCOST) with additional charge of Director Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC), he is leading many innovative initiatives including the prestigious Science City in Dehradun, STEM Labs, AI Labs, Labs on Wheels, Patent Information Centres, Women Technology Centre, Science, Technology & Innovation Centres across the state, thereby positioning Uttarakhand as a vibrant hub on the global map for grassroot innovation around Climate Tech and Disaster Management.

Pioneering Industry-Academia-Government collaboration Prof. Pant has been passionately architecting a robust S&T driven governance model for holistic development. His special focus has been on holistic development of border districts keeping S&T at the core. He is driving grassroot entrepreneurship and integrated sustainable development through empowerment of local communities across the region for conservation of ecology, culture, and traditional knowledge specially in border areas of Uttarakhand. Prof. Pant was pivotal in establishing the first Department of Computer Science in the state at Kumaun University in 1989, as a professor and Head of the Department.

He was also instrumental in establishing Uttarakhand Open University (UOU) and his association still continues as a Professor of Computer Science & IT. Prof. Pant has held key leadership positions which includes Director Uttarakhand State Education & Research Centre (USERC), Director Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC), Member of Higher Education Council etc at the National and State level driving many strategic initiatives like state level Technology Enabled Education, EDUSAT and National Mission on Information and Communication Technology (NMICT).

A Postgraduate and PhD in Computer Science and an MBA, Prof. Pant has publications to his credit including articles, research papers and books including recently published ‘The Triumph of Silkyara’