It was after his PU stint that he left for TIFR to join as a PhD student in 1972 and eventually, settled for a research assignment. “Exactly four decades ago, I was a student at PU. Today, I have the chance to add value to this institution. I won’t go into this job with presumptions about what to do. My priority will be to talk to the faculty and then decide the way forward,” Grover said.

On a lighter note he remembered how his wife, also a PU product, had topped at the Music (Vocal) Department. “I had not topped my department though,” said the new man in charge.

Interestingly, even while at TIFR, Grover came to PU on deputation between 1991 and 1994 to teach. Under the then VC Prof KN Pathak, he designed a course in material science for the students of M Phil, MSc and BSc.

Grover’s field is solid state physics - a branch of physics that deals with the structure and properties of solids.

He and his collaborators have explored detailed understanding of key issues of contemporary interest in the fields of superconductivity and magnetism for over three decades. Their contributions have had implications for tailoring superconducting and magnetic materials for niche applications. Besides, Grover has also been elected fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, and the National Academy of Science, New Delhi.

On whether PU is his first teaching assignment outside of TIFR and he says, “I was once offered a professor’s job at JNU, Delhi, but I declined to join. So yes, PU is the only place outside of TIFR where I have taught. I consider this institution great. It’s among the best-ranked universities in the UGC system. We will take it higher.”