Canadian biochemist, Joseph H. Hulse, one of the world’s leading experts in biotechnology and a former Vice-President of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), was honoured on 05 May (2008) with a Padma Shri Award, at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. 

Padma Shri is an award given by the Government of India generally to Indian citizens to recognize their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the Arts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Social Service and public life.

One of India’s highest civilian marks of recognition, the Padma Shri conferred to Prof. Hulse comes at a time when the spectre of food crises looms over the world. A former scientific advisor to the UN Secretary General, Prof. Hulse has devoted his life to research on food, nutrition and food security and written many acclaimed scientific books and papers on the subject.

“We are very pleased to see such a prestigious award being conferred on a man whose illustrious career has been one devoted to mankind,” said David Malone, Canada’s High Commissioner to India and President-elect of IDRC. “This recognition will bring to the attention of those not already aware that Canadians are heavily engaged in research activities aimed at bettering life conditions in the developing world.”

Receiving accolades in India is not new to Prof. Hulse, who first visited the country in 1962 to offer Canadian cooperation in the establishment of the International Food Technology Training Centre, Mysore. In the next 40 years, he travelled to India over 60 times for various projects. Indians have shown their appreciation for Prof. Hulse’s contribution to their country by honouring his achievements.

In 2006, Prof. Hulse was elected Fellow for Life of India’s National Academy of Sciences. To date, he remains the only non-Indian to have received the Conservation of the Environment Award presented by Rotary Clubs and the Earthcare Society of India.

Prof. Hulse is currently a Visiting Professor at the Central Food Technological Research Institute in Mysore and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Tamil Nadu, besides being the Honorary Fellow of the University of Manchester’s Institute of Science and Technology and the Australian, British and New Zealand Institutes of Food Science Technology. He has served on numerous scientific committees and held various high-profile positions, including Consultant to the Secretary General of the United Nations, President of the International Union of Food Science and Technology and Chair of the Canadian Freedom from Hunger Committee.