PAU Holds Its Annual Convocation, Awards 393 Degrees
Author(s): City Air NewsThe Governor of Haryana, Punjab, Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki giving degree of Doctor of Science, Honris Causa to Dr. Khem Singh Gill former Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on Friday. Ludhiana,...
cityairnews
Oct 16, 2015 12:30
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The Governor of Haryana, Punjab, Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki giving degree of Doctor of Science, Honris Causa to Dr. Khem Singh Gill former Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on Friday.
Ludhiana, October 16, 2015: The Annual Convocation of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) was held on the University campus today. Prof.Kaptan Singh Solanki, Governor of Punjab and Haryana, and Chancellor of the University presided over the convocation while Dr Ved Prakash, Chairman, University Grants Commission, New Delhi was the chief guest. During the convocation, a total of 393 Ph.D, M.Sc, M.Tech, MCA, MBA, MBA (Agri-business) and MJMC (Journalism and Mass Communication) students received degrees. Besides, 14 students were awarded Medals and Gold Medals, and several other students received Merit Certificates. In addition, six members of PAU’s faculty were conferred with various awards. On the occasion, a degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) was bestowed on Dr K.S. Gill, former PAU VC.
Dr Prakash said, “Punjab Agricultural University has produced outstanding scientists, who have left behind a rich legacy which is to be preserved as well as expanded. PAU has done excellent work and brought in laurels to the entire academic fraternity.” Universities are most enduring organizations and highest hopes of the society, he stated. “In India, there has been 38 times increase in the number of Universities, 79 times increase in number of colleges, and 114 times increase in students’ enrollment,” he disclosed. But the enrollment of students in agriculture is a huge concern,” he expressed. There is a need to revisit the existing curricular and see whether it is providing analytical information, creating new knowledge and producing talented workforce, he said. Education is an ever evolving human endeavour and children must have an access to the world class rich curricular, he emphasized. “New knowledge lies in the intersection of different disciplines,” he observed. In the state of Punjab and Tamil Nadu, girls are outranking boys, but boys and girls must grow together and present a balanced view, he stressed. Referring to research intensive universities, Dr Prakash said, “Such varsities have to be international varsities. They have to be elite and cannot run on strings of tuition fee. They require huge investments and need to learn the art of mobilizing the resources from different quarters.” Modern society cannot live without research universities, he observed. While congratulating the students, he urged them to update their competencies for relevance in modern world. “It is also essential to engage ourselves in historical and contemporary issues,” he said. In his message to the students, Dr Prakash said, “Continue to see inspiring dreams, work hard, be honest, know the power of perseverance, understand the significance of time, imbibe goodness, respect your elders, treat other individuals with respect, develop patience to listen to the opinions of others, invest in books, create libraries, compete and make an edge.”
Presenting the convocation report of PAU, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU said the University released as many as 20 varieties and hybrids of different crops for cultivation in Punjab. Besides, PAU produced about 69,800 quintals of graded seed of different crop varieties, he told. Dr Dhillon further highlighted that PAU has earned national and international recognition for imparting quality education. It is also known for its excellent rapport with the farming community through the network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres at district level, Agricultural Technology Information Centre at Ludhiana and strong linkage with the line departments. He said the University is strengthening its research on exploitation of wild germplasm for crop improvement using molecular tools. To check build up of pesticide residues in food commodities, research on integrated pest management has been strengthened with a focus on use of bioagents and development of Decision Support Systems, he added. The emphasis is also being given on developing varieties of vegetables and fruits suitable for processing, he said. Dr Dhillon congratulated the students and urged them to contribute whole-heartedly to the task of nation building.
On the occasion, Dr H.S. Dhaliwal, Dean, College of Agriculture received Hans Raj Pahwa Memorial Award while Dr Kuldeep Singh, Agronomist, RRS (Faridkot) and Dr Ram Sakal Singh, Senior Sugarcane Breeder, RRS (Faridkot) got Best Outstation Scientist Awards. Dr (Mrs) Parveen Chhuneja, Senior Molecular Geneticist and Dr O.P. Choudhary, Senior Soil Chemist received the Awards of Plaque. Dr Poonam A. Sachdev, Senior Vegetable Technologist got the Award of Merit Certificate.
Students namely Vivek Kumar, Simranjit Singh, Namrita Ahluwalia, Manu Tyagi, Navneet Kaur, Shruti, Jasreet Kaur, Shehnaz, Vipesh Kumar, Puneet Kaur, Amanpreet Kaur, Monica, Aatma Singh, and Rupinder Kaur were awarded medals and Gold Medals.
On the occasion, members of PAU Board of Management namely Mr H.S. Riar, Mr K.S. Ahluwalia and Mrs Karamjit Kaur Dhanewalia were also present.
Date:
Friday, October 16, 2015
