H. B. Walikar

H. B. Walikar (born 18 March 1951) was the vice-chancellor of the Karnatak University in Dharwad, India.^[1]

Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir is a distinguished academic whose legacy has a profound impact on the edu cational and research landscape. Born on 18 th March 1951 in the village of Yaragal , Taluk Muddebihal, Bijapur District. Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir’s journey to academic excellence was marked by persistence, resilience and an unwavering commitment to education . His story serves as an inspiration to the rural, underprivileged and economically disadvantaged sections of the society.

With the moral support of his humble family and friends, Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir completed his Matriculation, Graduation and Post Graduation eventually pursuing research with the encouragement of Prof. E. Sampathkumar Sir . His academic journey took a significant turn when he joined the Mehta Research Institute , Allahabad (now Harishchandra Research Institute, HRI ) under the mentorshi p of Prof. B. D. Acharya . This partnership was marked by rigorous academic pursuits in Graph Theory .

Throughout his illustrious career, Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir has held esteemed academic positions at institutions like Karnatak College Dharwad , Govt. Degre e College Bangalore and Karnatak University Dharwad . He served as the Chairman of the Department of Computer Science and as Administrator of KUPG Centre, Belgaum , always striving to improve the academic infrastructure and quality of education.

As a committed teacher and researcher, Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir’s influence extended beyond teaching. He guided 22 Ph.D. and 5 M.Phil. students , nurturing the next generation of scholars in areas like Domination Theory, Spectral Graph Theory, Energy of Grap hs, Network Analysis and more. Under his leadership many students achieved significant success and the University witnessed a remarkable growth in academic research with over 100 faculty appointments made during his tenure.

In the field of Graph Theory , P rof. H. B. Walikar Sir made significant contributions, especially in Domination Theory . His work has been cited in numerous textbooks, research papers, and global surveys. Notably, he was ranked 6 th in the world for his contributions to domination theory b y Prof. Hedetniemi and Prof. Renu Laskar (USA) USA). Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir actively collaborated with Prof. Ivan Gutman (University of Kragujevac, Serbia) Serbia), Prof. Y. Hou (University of Science and Technology of China, Hafei, China) and Prof. Fred Buckley (West ern Michigan University, USA) USA), contributing significantly to research in Graph Theory His research, which sought to prove and disprove many open problems in Graph Theory, has shaped the academic discourse and led to new methods and ideas with far reaching applications. His students continue to build upon his foundational work, contributing to the field in meaningful ways.

Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir’s intellectual pursuits extend beyond mathematics and science. He has also explored the depths of Kannada liter ature , producing works such as Sense in Nonsense "", God’s Own Equation and Nanu, Ninu Mattu Devaru "". His ability to analyze and interpret complex ideas in Vachana and Dasa Sahitya showcases his multifaceted talent and his commitment to preserving and enriching Kannada culture. In collaboration with Sapna Publications , his book Sense in Nonsense emerged as a best selling title for three consecutive years.

As Vice Chancellor of Karna tak University Dharwad from October 25, 2010 , Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir demonstrated exceptional leadership, combining a deep sense of responsibility with a vision for the institution's growth. His tenure saw significant advancements in academic research and he played a pivotal role in securing funding from agencies like UGC , DST , CSIR and the Government of India . Notably, his efforts helped Karnatak University Dharwad to secure the prestigious University with Potential for Excellence (UPE) grant. Beyond aca demics, Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir has made notable social and educational contributions. He established a green learning environment (KUD Green Library), 24/7 library and internet facility . Ph.D. students were supported with URS scholarship. In collaboration with ISKCON , he also facilitated a subsidized lunch programme at 5 Rupees , ensuring nutritious meals for students. Sir also played a key role in establishing a Science Centre in KU Campus , reflecting his commitment to strengthening scientific temper and experiential learning.

He has actively contributed to society through social service initiatives , including support for the Devadasi Children’s School . Additionally, he conducted teacher training programmes with the help of Higher Education Aca demy, Dharwad for high school teachers and government degree college professors. Additionally, Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir actively shares educational and motivational videos through his YouTube channel and also offers free online classes for CSIR NET, K SET a nd IIT JAM , extending quality education to a wider student community.

Known for his gentle, polite, and gracious demeanor, Prof. H. B. Walikar Sir has always been a beacon of support for deserving students and colleagues. His contributions have enriched n ot only the academic community but also society at large, leaving a lasting legacy.^[2]