By Kamau Njoroge
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has awarded the first Professor Emeritus honours to Prof Surindar Uppal.
The long serving Professor of Mathematics, who retired from the university in December 2020, has been awarded the honorary title for his distinguished contribution to academic research and extensive philanthropy at JKUAT.
Prof Uppal overcomes the new milestone in his illustrious career at JKUAT, having also entered the university’s history books by becoming the first Full Professor in 1996.
Prof Uppal has made significant contributions to Mathematics, authoring eight books and publishing 37 scholarly articles in internationally ranked and peer-reviewed journals; 29 being on Mathematics and 8 on Mathematics education.
In recognition of his immense contribution to Kenya’s education sector, Prof Uppal was in 2011 awarded Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear by the then President Mwai Kibaki. He has also been awarded the title, ‘Ambassador for Peace’ by the Universal Peace Federation.
His prominent students include five Vice Chancellors of Kenyan universities, three chairmen of Hindu Council of Kenya, Director Bio-Tech Institute Dr Vishwa Dixit, chairman Bidco Ltd Dr Vimal Shah, founder Mount Kenya University Prof Simon Gicharu, and the former chairman Teachers Service Commission, who is also a council member at JKUAT Mr Gabriel Lengoiboni, among others.
The chairman of JKUAT Council Ambassador (Eng) Mahboub Maalim Mohamed was full of praise for Prof Uppal, noting that his illustrious career is iconic of academic success.
While passing his congratulatory remarks to Prof Uppal, Amb Maalim said the university council was in full support of his Professor Emeritus title.
“We really just want to appreciate people like you who work hard to give back to the community, and we are happy that you are the first Professor Emeritus in the university,” said Amb Maalim.
The vice chancellor Prof Victoria Wambui Ngumi characterized Prof Uppal as a man of high integrity.
Prof Ngumi noted that the decision to award the prestigious title to him was a result of wide consultation and consensus by both Council and Senate.
The Vice Chancellor urged Prof. Uppal to continue writing research papers and books to permanently watermark his extensive knowledge in mathematics.
Mr Lengoiboni attested to Prof Uppal’s dedication, saying his continued presence in the university is a valuable academic asset.
Prof. Uppal, who was clearly elated by the milestone, said the university had bestowed upon him great responsibility and honour.
While reflecting on his career, he revealed that the key to his success was to make Mathematics fun by relating it with life experiences of his students.
He revealed that even in retirement, he continues to support many students such as one Rose Lengima from Samburu, a medical student at JKUAT, who is set to graduate in December 2022.
Prof Uppal graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Pure and Applied Mathematics with Honours, to be followed by a Master of Arts in Mathematics, a Bachelor of Teaching in Mathematics Education, and then a Doctorate in Mathematics specializing in Riemannian Geometry.
