Brief Biodata
Prof. Rajasab is a distinguished academician with 43 years of experience in teaching and research, and over 30 years in higher education administration. A respected leader known for his integrity and visionary outlook, he has significantly contributed to institutional development and international academic collaborations. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA), Department of Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka, Bengaluru.
Prof. Rajasab has held several key positions in academia, including Vice Chancellor of Tumkur University (2013–2017), Dean Faculty of Science & Technology, and Registrar (Evaluation) at Gulbarga University. Internationally, he has visited Professor at the University of California, Davis, and as visiting professor in Tianjin Agricultural University and Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural Universities in China. Further he served as Professor in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. His expertise spans university governance, academic auditing, financial management, examination reforms, and implementation of ICT in administration. Academically, he specializes in Botany, Plant Pathology, Fungal biology, Plant Biotechnology, Microbiology, wild edible plants and Biodiversity Conservation.
He has supervised 20 Ph.D. and 20 M.Phil. scholars, guided over 100 master’s students projects and evaluated more than 50 doctoral thesis. His scholarly output includes 91 research publications (17 in international journals), six books (including a Pictorial guide to the flora of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia), and more than 25 popular science articles in Kannada. He has participated in 16 international and 264 national conferences, and served as editor and reviewer for various reputed journals.
Prof. Rajasab is the recipient of several prestigious awards, Paryavaran Mitra Award, K.C. Mehta & Manoranjan Mitra Award, P. H. Gregory Young Scientist Award, and the Higher Education Leadership Award. He also served as Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor at Khaja Bandanawaz University, Gulbarga. He is honorary Fellow of the Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, Indian Phytopathological Society (IPS), Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology (ISMPP), and Indian Aerobiological Society (IAS). His professional affiliations include life memberships in national and international scientific societies and membership in the Executive and General Body of the Karnataka Higher Education Council and KSCST. He has served on numerous academic committees such as PMEB, IQAC, Academic Council, and chaired committees related to NAAC, RUSA, UGC and NEP-2020 syllabus preparation. Also, he served as the Chairman of the Search Committee for the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of Kuvempu University, Mangalore University and Karnataka University.
His international engagements include leading academic delegations and delivering invited lectures in China, USA, Belgium, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Switzerland. He has also worked as a consultant for the U.S. Grains Council and M/s Stanes & Co. on crop disease management and bio-product evaluation. His research leadership extends to DST, ICMR, and Gulbarga University-funded projects on plant pathology and environmental allergens. Prof. Rajasab’s academic journey is supported by a solid educational background, with a Ph.D. in Botany (1981), M.Sc. in Mycology & Plant Pathology (1976), and a B.Sc. in CBZ (1974), all from the University of Mysore. He also held ICAR Junior and Senior Research Fellowships during his Ph.D. Programme.
Prof. Rajasab, who draws inspiration from the philosophy that “Knowledge grows as it is shared”, is committed to achieving good for society through knowledge generation. Even though he has risen to the position of a Professor, scientist and educational leader in the country today, his desire is to directly interact with students and answer their questions. He is teaching the youth that adopting a technology is not just a skill, but a value.
Rajasab was born on 03 April, 1955, in Navillehal village, Channagiri taluk, Shivamogga district. He comes from a farming family. After getting education in rural set-up he built his carrier to become a good professor, scientist, and Vice Chancellor, conducting scientific quality research and published books and research papers in both Kannada and English languages.
