Cdr (Dr) Gurdaman Lal Sharma (Retd) is the Vice Chancellor of SRM University Sikkim and a distinguished academic leader, technocrat, and former Indian Navy officer with over 39 years of service to the nation. An alumnus of IIT Bombay and the Naval College of Engineering, Pune, he holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Reactor Control Design from IIT Bombay. After a decorated 26-year career in the Indian Navy, where he played key roles in warship commissioning, advanced naval technologies, and Operation Vijay, he transitioned to academia over 13 years ago. Dr. Sharma has been instrumental in founding and leading four universities and has established multiple Centres of Excellence in emerging technologies. With extensive research contributions and national honors, his leadership reflects innovation, academic excellence, and commitment to nation-building.