CANADIAN CONSUL GENERAL AND PAU DONS EXPLORE COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Ludhiana, August 4, 2023: 

In a significant effort to strengthen bilateral ties and explore collaborative opportunities, Patrick Hebert, the Consul General of Canada in Chandigarh, met with Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, along with other university officers. The meeting aimed to foster mutual areas of interest and institutional relations between Canada and PAU.

Dr. S.S. Gosal shed light on PAU's exceptional contribution to the agricultural sector, particularly as the architect of the Green Revolution. He highlighted the university's leadership in areas such as conservation agriculture, apiculture, and farm mechanization. He specified that PAU seeks partners who cherish similar ideals and appreciate dynamism in a relationship.

Regarding linkages with Canadian Universities, Dr Gosal informed about the ongoing dialogue with the University of Saskatchewan, McGill University and the University of Guelph. He also listed many well-decorated alumni of the varsity including Dr Hargundeep Saini, McGill University's 18th Principal and Vice-Chancellor. Touching upon PAU partnerships with other international institutions in the realm of teaching as well as faculty and student mobility, he said collaborative research in areas like climate-resilient technologies, genome editing, biosensors, precision agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, IoT, etc. can be explored.

During the meeting, Hebert underscored Canada's interest in collaborating with PAU to address various challenges faced by the agricultural sector. The discussion encompassed topics like skill development, crop residue disposal, carbon credits, and reducing greenhouse emissions. He also expressed Canadian institutions’ keen interest in agriculture. Speaking about the broader context of collaboration in academia, Hebert stressed the importance of breaking barriers and embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to foster impactful research outcomes and sustainable relationships between institutions. Internationalization comprises capacity building across borders and cultures; it must benefit all parties involved, he added.

To showcase PAU's extensive contributions to society, Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, PAU's Director of Research, delivered a comprehensive talk on the university's cutting-edge research technologies in diverse fields, including cropping systems, soil testing, kinnow cultivation, agro-forestry systems, and more. Dr Gurmeet Singh Buttar, Director of Extension Education, elaborated on the outreach programme of PAU that employs a network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Farm Advisory Services Centers (FASCs) in addition to several extension techniques leading to a strong linkage with the farmers. Dr P.K. Chhuneja, Dean Post Graduate Studies, explained the varsity’s academic programmes spanning across its five constituent colleges that make the students future-ready. The deans of the constituent colleges of PAU also gave a brief overview of their respective colleges.

Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director (institution Relations) moderated the discussion. He opined that bilateral collaborations would empower the next generation of thought leaders in the field of agriculture, benefitting both Canada and India.

The Consul General was honored with university literature as a token of appreciation for his visit. He too presented a memento to the Vice-Chancellor. Both parties expressed optimism in forging strong and enduring ties, promoting intellectual synergy, and supporting the international agricultural community through meaningful collaboration.