Cashew - A Monograph
Abdul Salam, M.
Ph.D., Post Doc (UK)
Dr. M. Abdul SalamScientist, Academician & Public Leader
- Former Vice Chancellor, University of Calicut
- Formerly CEO, PACE Group of Educational Institutions
- State Vice President, Kerala BJP
- National Vice President, BJP Minority Morcha
AcademicianScientistAdministratorBJP LeaderModi Follower
- 50+
- Years
- 6
- Continents
- 153
- Papers
- 13
- Books
About
A Life of Science & Service
In a career spanning more than four decades across six continents - Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Australia - Dr. M. Abdul Salam has established himself as one of the most authoritative voices in University Administration, a renowned Vice Chancellor, tireless educationist, tropical agronomist, scientist and committed public leader.
Born on May 10, 1952 in Malappuram, Kerala, Dr. Salam began his professional journey as a Technical Officer at Union Bank of India in 1975 before dedicating his life to agricultural science and education. His path from assistant professor to Vice Chancellor of Kerala's largest university is a story of intellectual rigour, sustained commitment, and national service.
In tandem with admirable abilities in University administration and leadership, Dr. Salam has great zeal to promote Quality Assurance, enhancing institutional Accreditation, Employability, Skill education, Strategic planning, Institutional Expansion and Prudent Fund Management.
50+
Years of Service
6
Continents
153
Research Papers
4
Universities
Career
A Journey Across Continents
Political Service - BJP
2019 – 2026State Vice President, Kerala BJP · National Vice President, BJP Minority Morcha
Dedicated full-time engagement in nation-building through the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Chief Executive Officer (Formerly)
2017 – 2019PACE Group of Educational Institutions - UAE, Kuwait & India
Led 15 schools and colleges across three nations.
Vice Chancellor
2011 – 2015University of Calicut - Kerala, India
Led Kerala's largest state university with 30 PG departments and 469 affiliated colleges. Established 11 new Directorates and made UOC the first Digital, Green, Clean and Solar University of Kerala.
Highlight tenureProfessor
1998 – 2015Kerala Agricultural University - India
Long tenure as Professor (including Head of Department and Associate Dean roles), culminating in elevation as Vice Chancellor of the University of Calicut.
Visiting Professor
2003 – 2007Kuwait University - Department of Biological Sciences, Kuwait
ITEC Expert & Advisor
2001 – 2002Minister of Agriculture, Government of Suriname - South America
Associate Professor
1992 – 1998Kerala Agricultural University - India
Post-Doctoral Researcher (Commonwealth Fellow)
1991 – 1992University of Aberdeen - United Kingdom
Associate Professor
1989 – 1991Kerala Agricultural University - India
Assistant Professor
1979 – 1989Kerala Agricultural University - India
Technical Officer (Agriculture)
1975 – 1979Union Bank of India - India
Expertise
Domains of Excellence
Tropical Agronomy
World-recognised tropical agronomist - authority on cashew cultivation and dry-land farming. Developer of Amrutha & Priyanka cashew varieties with higher yield and superior taste.
University Administration
Strategic planning, quality assurance, e-governance, NAAC accreditation, institutional expansion and prudent financial management of large universities.
Scientific Research
153 peer-reviewed papers, 15 review articles and 13 books. Guided 13 Doctoral and 33 Master students in Biological Sciences.
International Consultancy
Expert across 6 continents - India, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Liberia, Suriname, USA, UK and Australia.
Education Leadership
CEO of PACE Group of 15 institutions. Ardent exponent of Quality, Value, Skill, Green, Holistic, Affordable, Women and Inclusive Education.
Water & Food Security
Significant contributions to water management strategies and agricultural resilience in water-scarce regions.
E-Governance & Digital
Pioneered Digital University concept at Calicut University - first Digital, Green, Clean and Solar University of Kerala.
Human Resource Management
Expertise in recruitment, training, faculty assessment, cross-cultural team leadership and motivating diverse stakeholders.
Research & Achievements
Academic Impact
153
Research Papers
13
Books Published
15
Review Articles
13
Ph.D. Students
33
Master Students
29
Intl. Conferences
Key Achievements
QS World Ranking
UOC placed 101st among 5,700 universities in BRICS nations and 7th among 735 Indian universities (2015).
BBC Recognition
BBC ranked UOC as the 4th most Google-searched university in the world (2014).
Colonel Commandant
Decorated with Honorary rank of Colonel Commandant (2013) by Directorate of NCC, Govt. of India.
NAAC A-Grade
National Accreditation and Assessment Council rated UOC with A-Grade during his tenure.
Awards & Fellowships
- Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship
- Krishi Vijnan Award
- Vice President's GS Pathak Prize
- Ponnuswami Chetiar Medal
- Ph.D. Thesis - Foreign Examiners' Donation Award
- 25+ recognitions, scholarships and memberships
Editorial Boards
- Journal of Agro Meteorology
- Kuwait Journal of Science & Engineering
- Asian Journal of Water, Environment & Pollution
Academic Credentials
- Ph.D. in Agronomy - Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, 1984
- Post-Doc - University of Aberdeen, UK (Commonwealth Fellow)
- Notable Varieties: Amrutha & Priyanka (cashew)
Global Presence
IndiaUAEKuwaitUnited KingdomUnited StatesSurinameMozambiqueLiberiaOmanKSAMalaysiaMalawiTanzaniaKenyaD.R. CongoZambiaAngolaAustralia
Publications
Books & Selected Works
Cashew - Varietal Wealth of India
Abdul Salam, M. & Bhaskara Rao, E.V.V (2001)
Rooting Patterns of Tropical Crops
M. Abdul Salam & P. Abdul Wahid (1993)
Cashew Calendar
Abdul Salam, M., Mohanakumaran, N. & Balasubramanian, P.P (1998)
Kanakam Koyyan Kasumavu
P.P. Balasubramanian & M. Abdul Salam (1996)
Cashew Cultivation - Science & Techniques
Abdul Salam, M., Mohanakumaran, N. & Balasubramanian, P.P (1998)
Featured Articles
- Kasumavu Krishikkoru Muthal Kootu
- Kasumavinu Vilasamrakshanam
- Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Cashew
- Rooting Pattern of Rice
- Cashew and Pepper Live in Harmony
Gallery
Moments & Milestones
Political Journey
Leadership & Vision
“For the BJP, the nation is their religion. The amount of freedom Muslims get in India, they do not get anywhere else.”
Dr. Salam is not a career politician - he is a scientist and educationist who was drawn into politics purely out of admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He describes Modi as “a hybrid of traditional Indian culture and most modern technology” and tried to emulate Modi's model when he led Calicut University - working to make it a clean, green and digital institution.
As the BJP's most prominent Muslim leader in Kerala, he works to counter misinformation and highlight the party's inclusive development agenda.
Political Milestones
2014
Actively associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
2019
Formally joined BJP. Became the most prominent Muslim face of the party in Kerala.
2021
Appointed National Vice President, BJP Minority Morcha. BJP Kerala State Committee & Core Committee member. Contested from Tirur Assembly, Malappuram.
2024
BJP's candidate for Malappuram Lok Sabha - party's sole Muslim candidate in initial list of 195 nominees. Campaigned 50 days, vote share rose from 5% to 22%.
2026
BJP Kerala Election Management Committee & Manifesto Committee member. Star campaigner for BJP Kerala. Prabhari Karnataka Minority Morcha.
Vision for Malappuram
- Modernising Kozhikode International Airport
- Upgrading Angadipuram Railway Station
- Reviving the Chaliyar River ecosystem
- Transforming Malappuram into a model district
- Bringing central government schemes to every household
- Leveraging forest cover, agriculture and natural resources for sustainable growth
Core Political Beliefs
On PM Modi
“If at all one person is winning from Kerala, I would attribute 95 per cent of that positivity to the Modi factor. That is the value, acceptance and respect people have for Modi.”
On Muslim Women
“The ban on triple talaq has been a transformative step for Muslim women. The Uniform Civil Code would secure Muslim women's rights over inheritance of family property.”
On the BJP
“For the BJP, the nation is their religion. The amount of freedom Muslims get in India, they do not get anywhere else.”
@cashewsalamvc
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Recent posts, campaign moments and public engagements. Follow on Instagram for daily updates.
At the BJP Kerala state committee meeting - building the future.
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Addressing students on the future of higher education in India.
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Field visit - engaging with cashew farmers of Kerala.
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Interacting with community leaders in Malappuram.
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Campaign trail - meeting citizens across the constituency.
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Honoured to speak at a national education summit.
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Contact
Get in Touch
For lectures, collaborations, interviews and academic correspondence.
Residence
Cashlin, TC 66-116-4, Pachallur 695 027, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Mobile
+91 94000 07800
cashewsalamvc@gmail.com
Website
www.drmabdulsalamvc.com
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