Dr.S.N. Pathan has a unique combination of an excellent academic career coupled with
outstanding achievements in academic and administration. He started his career as a Lecturer & Head, Department of Botany at Padmashri Vikhe Patil College, Pravaranagar. Later on, he served as Principal in Pune for about five years. He then joined as Principal of esteemed Government Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai with Additional charge as Director, Government Sydenham Institute of Management, Research & Entrepreneurship Education, Mumbai. He was subsequently elevated to the prestigious position of Director of Higher Education, Maharashtra state in 1999 till 13th July 2005.
As Director of Higher education, Maharashtra he Steered Higher Education Policies of State and maintained high academic excellence in the State. He encouraged over 1000 colleges to undergo the process of assessment & accreditation by NAAC, thereby bringing Maharashtra to the top in terms of the number of accredited institution in India. He also held additional charge as Vice-Chancellor (Status) of Deccan college, Pune, Post-graduate and Research Institute, Deemed University for 3 years. His knowledge, understanding, vision and administrative acumen in higher education gave him due recognition when he was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University on 14th July, 2005 by his Excellency the Chancellor & Governor of Maharashtra .
for the first time in the history of Maharashtra, Dr. Pathan has the privilege of being the Vice-Chancellor from Muslim community (minority) in the 84-year old prestigious University located at Nagpur.
Born on 1st May 1948 in a remote village in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra Dr. Pathan completed his primary and secondary education locally and later went on to do his graduation and post-graduation in Botany at Shivaji University, Kolhapur. through Earn and Learn Scheme. He obtained Ph.D degree in Eco-Physiology in 1983 from Shivaji University, Kolhapur. His Achievements and excellence in the subject paved way to become Chairman of Board of Studies in Botany in University of Pune during 1984-47
He has many achievements both on the academic and administrative fronts. Beginning with undergraduate department in a rural college and later on establishment of Post-graduate & Research Centre in Botany outside University of Pune for the first time is a pinnacle in his academic career.
By virtue of his position as Director, Higher Education of the State he worked as Member of Management Council, Academic Council and Senate of all the Non-agricultural Universities in Maharashtra. He introduced for the first time the centralized B.Ed. Entrance Examination at the State level, which was widely appreciated. Dr. Pathan was Chairman of the Committee for new Solapur University (Maharashtra). In recognition of his long academic and administrative experience, he was appointed on various selection & other committees both within and outside the State. He has worked as Chairman of the Peer Team of NAAC, Bangalore for colleges in West Bengal, UGC nominee on Advisory Committee for Academic Staff College, Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur and is presently a member of the UGC committee to assess the performance of collages with potential for Excellence, UGC Committee to recommend sanction of plan grants to Universities, UGC Committee to sanction funds for conducting add on courses for colleges in Northern India & on many more U.G.C. Committees.
Another aspect of his academic talent found expression through his writings and publishing several research papers in Eco-Physiology, Bio-diversity and Taxonomy of plants in National and International journals. He has also authored six books in Botany. He has also Written a Book entitled "Quality Improvement Programme in Higher Education though NAAC- A Success story of Maharashtra" to provide guidance and insight to the colleges in the country. This book was appreciated by the Hon'ble Chairman of UGC and was released by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
He has presented several research papers in International Conferences held in Germany, Japan, U.S.A. & Nepal. He also delivered key-note address in an International Conference at Jakarta (Indonesia). He has also worked with Prof. Zigler in Technical University Munich (West Germany ) and in Royal Botanical Garden Kew London on Computer Taxonomy. Widely raveled, Dr. Pathan was a member of the delegation of Government of Maharashtra to visit various Universities In U.S.A. located at Chicago, Seattle, Philadelphia and St. Louis.
Dr. S.N.Pathan is the recipient of many awards, notably being Ideal Teacher Award from Zilla Parishad, Ahmednagar and very recently FIE Foundation National Award Presented at Ichalkaranji Which carried a citation & a cash prize of Rs. 50.000/-
Having gone a long way in his life facing obstacles at every stage, Dr. S. N Pathan has got soothing support from his wife, Mrs. Jannat Pathan. They are blessed with two daughters & a son who are in the medical profession and are well placed. Dr. S.N. Pathan always seeks his parents' blessings & draws inspiration to continue his march towards achieving excellence in every walk of life.
