Prof. Dhirendra Pal Singh (D. P. Singh) has served University Grants Commission (UGC), the apex higher education regulatory body in India as Chairman (2018-2021). Prof. Singh has held several academic leadership positions in Indian higher education in a career spanning close to four decades. He led three universities as Vice-Chancellor- Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi; Dr. H. S. Gour University, Sagar and Devi Ahilya University, Indore and headed National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore as Director. Prof. Singh has been instrumental in developing conducive learning environment, enhancing academic & administrative efficiency, fostering excellence in teaching and research, encouraging global facilitation of higher education and promoting holistic, multidisciplinary, technology enabled, quality and value based higher education in India.

Prof. D. P. Singh has contributed substantially in the planning and management of Indian Higher Education ecosystem. He has contributed as member (ex officio) of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO, RUSA, Implementation Committee of National Education Policy 2020 etc. As Chairman, UGC he has guided 8 inter-university centres of UGC as President of Governing Council.

Prof. Singh has significant exposure of international programmes and experience of handling international projects. He has widely travelled and visited United Kingdom, U.S.A, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, China, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, Singapore and Nepal for academic pursuits. He has participated in several international seminars/conferences/workshops as Chairperson of technical sessions, group leader, invited speaker and delegate.

Prof. D. P. Singh has been bestowed with several honours and awards such as Environment Leadership Award, Nation Builder Award, Raja Balwant Singh Shiksha Samman etc.