Dr. Pradeepkumar T.

Dr. T. Pradeepkumar, the Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), is a distinguished academician, visionary leader, and a renowned expert in horticulture with a wealth of experience spanning more than two decades in research, teaching, and extension. Born on May 31, 1965, in Tellicherry, Kerala, Dr. Kumar obtained his Ph.D. in Horticulture from the prestigious Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, in 1994.

Dr. Kumar began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at Kerala Agricultural University in 1996 and has since served in various important roles, including the Director of Planning at KAU. Currently, he is heading the Department of Vegetable Science at KAU, where he has made remarkable contributions to the field of agricultural research. His expertise extends to crop development, and he has successfully developed six hybrids of different crops, including seedless watermelon, parthenocarpic salad cucumber, and ridge gourd.

With more than 23 years of experience in horticultural research, teaching, and extension, Dr. Kumar has supervised six M.Sc. and three Ph.D. students. His leadership has been recognized nationally and internationally, with notable awards such as the Krishi Vijnan Award for the Best Agricultural Scientist, conferred by the Government of Kerala in 2015. He was also honored with the Harbhajan Singh Award by the Indian Society of Vegetable Science (ISVS) in 1995 and became a fellow of the International Society of Noni Science in 2018. Additionally, he was awarded the ISVS Fellowship in 2016, the Fellowship of the Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences in 2019, and the Fellowship of the Indian Society of Spices in 2020.

As Vice-Chancellor of KUFOS, Dr. Pradeep Kumar has brought his visionary leadership and academic excellence to the forefront of the university’s growth. Under his guidance, KUFOS has strengthened its position as a center of excellence in fisheries and ocean studies, with an emphasis on research, sustainable practices, and the development of the blue economy. His commitment to innovation, student empowerment, and faculty development has played a pivotal role in advancing the university’s mission of achieving global leadership in marine resource management.