Kashmir has been blessed with many great minds in the fields of science, art, and education and among them, Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo stands tall as a visionary scholar, environmental scientist, and patriotic son of the soil. Born on April 13, 1964, in Kashmir, Professor Romshoo’s life is a journey of perseverance, knowledge, and public service that continues to inspire thousands across the valley and beyond. Currently serving as the Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, he has devoted his career to research, institution building, and shaping generations of students with values of integrity, inquiry, and responsibility.
Professor Romshoo began his education in Kashmir before moving on to prestigious institutions in India and abroad. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology and Watershed Management from Birsa University, Ranchi, graduating with a Gold Medal for academic excellence. His quest for higher learning took him to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok, where he completed his Master’s in Remote Sensing and GIS as a NORAD (Norway) Fellow. He later pursued a Ph.D. in Water Resource Engineering and Geoinformatics from the University of Tokyo, Japan, under the Asian Development Bank Fellowship, marking the beginning of a remarkable scientific career that would bridge continents and disciplines.
With over three decades of teaching and research experience, Professor Romshoo has supervised 25 Ph.D. and 5 M.Phil. scholars, and guided more than 240 Master’s and PG Diploma dissertations. His scholarly contributions include over 250 research papers and book chapters in reputed international journals, reflecting his deep expertise in hydrology, glaciology, and climate change, especially in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. His H-index of 46 and inclusion in Stanford University’s list of the world’s top 2% scientists for multiple consecutive years stand as testimony to his enduring global impact.
Professor Romshoo’s research has profoundly advanced our understanding of Himalayan glaciers, climate change, and water resources — subjects that are central to both environmental sustainability and human survival. His work on the Himalayan cryosphere has been pivotal in mapping glacier retreat and its consequences for downstream communities. He has also studied the Indus Basin, bringing scientific insight into the challenges of water flow under the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan.
He was instrumental in establishing the National Ice-Core Laboratory at the University of Kashmir, a facility that has enhanced India’s capacity to study the Himalayas’ rapidly changing cryosphere. His scientific models on snowmelt, river discharge, and glacier health have informed both academic research and national policy frameworks for water management, flood prevention, and disaster preparedness. Through the integration of Remote Sensing, SAR, and GIS technologies, he has provided innovative tools for assessing soil moisture, land-use change, and watershed hydrology.
Professor Romshoo’s international collaborations are equally noteworthy. As a former scientist at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, he has contributed to global environmental studies and helped strengthen India’s position in climate science research. His participation in global forums and policymaking bodies has ensured that the concerns of the Himalayas and Kashmir find their rightful voice in international environmental dialogue.
While Professor Romshoo’s career could have easily flourished abroad, he chose to stay in Kashmir, dedicating his life to the development of his homeland. His decision to return, teach, and lead in Kashmir is one of his greatest services an act of patriotism rooted in humility. Through his research and mentorship, he has guided hundreds of students to address local challenges through global scientific standards.
As Head of the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Kashmir, and later as Dean of Research, he strengthened the academic foundation for environmental and geoinformatics studies in the region. At IUST, he has elevated the university to national prominence, fostering an environment of innovation, academic integrity, and social responsibility. Under his leadership, IUST has entered the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, ranking 151–200 among universities and 51–100 among state public institutions. He also established the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (CIED), which earned a four-star rating for two consecutive years.
Professor Romshoo has also championed youth-led innovations and community engagement programs, linking academic knowledge with social change. His emphasis on sustainability, disaster preparedness, and civic responsibility reflects his belief that universities must serve not just as centers of learning, but as pillars of societal transformation.
Over his illustrious career, Professor Romshoo has received numerous awards and fellowships, including the National Geosciences Award (2013), the CRDP Award (2016), and the Professor Satish Dhawan Award (2018) from the Indian Society of Remote Sensing for his pioneering research. He has also been honoured with the Tak Zainagiri Memorial Outstanding Academician Award (2022) and the Outstanding Environmental Researcher Award (2022). His election as a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, and the Indian Society of Geomatics confirms his status as one of India’s foremost scientists. Recently, he was conferred with the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Puraskar for his contributions to education and public service.
Beyond his scientific brilliance, Professor Romshoo is celebrated for his integrity, humility, and human-centred leadership. Known for his open-door approach, he balances academic rigor with empathy, inspiring his students to blend knowledge with ethics. His tenure at IUST exemplifies how visionary leadership can merge academic excellence with social impact — turning an institution into a living symbol of hope and progress for Kashmiri youth.
Professor Romshoo’s life story reflects the best of what Kashmir can offer intellect rooted in culture, science guided by compassion, and leadership shaped by service. In an age when many pursue opportunities abroad, his steadfast devotion to Kashmir and India makes him not just a scholar, but a statesman, patriot, and inspiration a true son of the soil who continues to build bridges between knowledge and nationhood.

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