Dr Gurpreet Singh Lehal (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਲੇਹਲ (Gurmukhi), گرپریت سنگھ لیہل (Shahmukhi)) (born 1963) is a professor in the Computer Science Department, Punjabi University, Patiala and Director of the Advanced Centre for Technical Development of Punjabi Language Literature and Culture. He is noted for his work in the application of computer technology in the use of the Punjabi language both in the Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi script.
A post graduate in Mathematics from Panjab University, he did his masters in Computer Science from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology and Ph.D. in Computer Science on Gurmukhi Optical Character Recognition (OCR) System from Punjabi University, Patiala.
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As a researcher, Dr. Lehal’s main contribution has been development of technologies related to computerization of Punjabi language. Prominent among these are first Gurmukhi OCR, first multi-font Punjabi spell checker, first high accuracy Gurmukhi-Shahmukhi and Shahmukhi-Gurmukhi transliteration systems and first Intelligent Predictive Roman-Gurmukhi transliteration techniques for simplifying Punjabi typing. Dr. Lehal has published more than 60 research papers in various national and international journals and conference proceedings. Dr. Lehal has handled research projects worth more than 30 million Rupees including two international projects, which were awarded in an open competition among contestants from more than 30 countries.As a software engineer, Dr. Lehal has developed more than 20 software systems including first commercial Punjabi word processor, Akhar and Urdu-Hindi Transliteration software. As an academician, Dr. Lehal has taught and supervised research activity of postgraduate and doctorate students. He has guided more than 50 post graduate Research scholars and 5 PhD students on various topics related to computerization of Punjabi.
Dr. Lehal has been working for more than ten years on different projects related to computerization of Punjabi and has been a pioneer in developing technical solutions for Punjabi language. For the first time, many new technologies have been developed by him including Intelligent Predictive Roman-Gurmukhi transliteration techniques for simplifying Punjabi typing, Punjabi spell checker, Punjabi font converter and Gurmukhi OCR. Many other products for popularising Punjabi and breaking the script and language barriers have been developed under his leadership. Some of these products which are being widely used include a multi-media based website for Punjabi teaching, Gurmukhi-Shahmukhi transliteration utility, Shahmukhi-Gurmukhi transliteration utility, Punjabi-Hindi translation software, Hindi-Punjabi translation software, Urdu-Hindi transliteration software, Punjabi Search Engine and Punjabi grammar checker.