PAU dominates PM Fellowships with 5 wins, reinforces agricultural leadership

Ludhiana, August 28, 2023: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has achieved a remarkable feat in the recent Prime Minister Fellowships announcement, securing five out of 18 national fellowships. This accomplishment underscores the university's exceptional dedication to agricultural research and innovation, solidifying its position as a frontrunner in the field.

The beneficiaries of these prestigious fellowships are Neelansh Yadav, who is pursuing a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, along with Dayanand, Praveen Kumar Alagappan, and Revanayya Mallayya Gothe, all engaged in PhD programmes specializing in Plant Breeding and Genetics. Another bright student, Divya Bharti, pursuing a PhD in Entomology, has also joined this distinguished group of recipients. Notably, nine students from state agricultural universities have been awarded these fellowships, with PAU accounting for an impressive five of them.

In a heartfelt acknowledgment of these exceptional students, Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, the Vice-Chancellor of PAU, personally extended his congratulations during a meeting held in his committee room. Dr. Gosal's recognition of their accomplishments was accompanied by an expression of optimism regarding their future endeavors. He lauded PAU's exceptional success in securing these fellowships, emphasizing the university's unwavering dedication to academic excellence and its pivotal role in advancing national agricultural research. Dr. Gosal urged the recipients to embrace the forthcoming opportunities and to continue their pursuit of excellence across all facets of their academic journey.

Furthermore, Dr. Gosal commended the advisors who provided guidance and support to these students in crafting winning proposals and applications. He encouraged the recipients to motivate their juniors and train future applicants, fostering a culture of continuous growth and achievement. He also appealed to the faculty to identify potential industry partnerships to facilitate further collaborations, creating a conducive environment for the awardees to conduct their research with ease.
Dr. P.K. Chhuneja, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, joined the chorus of praise for the students and their mentors, emphasizing the profound impact they could have on the nation's agricultural landscape. He encouraged the recipients to recognize their potential to drive meaningful change through their research.

The commendable achievements of these scholars were acknowledged not only by the university's leadership but also by the deans of respective colleges, department heads, and university officers who extended their heartfelt congratulations to the awardees.

It is worth mentioning that the Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme for Doctoral Research is a collaborative effort between the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Government of India, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The scheme aims to inspire and support talented scholars to engage in industry-relevant research. Under this initiative, full-time PhD scholars receive double the regular stipend, with one-half provided by the government and the other by a partner company collaborating on the research project. This remarkable opportunity spans four years, allowing these scholars to delve deep into their research with robust financial support.