Scientist from New Zealand visits PAU, Discusses MoU and delivers talk
Author(s): City Air NewsA related photograph. Ludhiana, February 6, 2015: Prof.Surinder Saggar, Principal Scientist and Portfolio Leader, Green House Gases and Carbon Storage, Landcare Research New Zealand Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand...
Ludhiana, February 6, 2015: Prof.Surinder Saggar, Principal Scientist and Portfolio Leader, Green House Gases and Carbon Storage, Landcare Research New Zealand Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to discuss the implementation of the tripartite agreement among Massey University, New Zealand; Landcare Research, New Zealand; and PAU, Ludhiana. It is pertinent to mention that the memorandum of understanding, signed among the three institutions in 2006, has been extended for the next five years. Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU inked the staff exchange programme for the extension of the agreement.
Dr Saggar, who was on a two-day visit to PAU, interacted with experts including Dr R.K. Gumber, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement); Dr H.S. Thind, Head, Soil Science; Dr RIS Gill, Head, Forestry and Natural Resources; Dr (Mrs) S.K. Thind, Head, Botany; Dr Dhanwinder Singh, Senior Soil Scientist and Dr Thakur Singh, Senior Extension Specialist (Agronomy).
Meanwhile, Dr Saggar also delivered a talk on “Environmental Threats: Strategies for Sustainable Future” at PAU. The Ludhiana Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science, Department of Soil Science, PAU organised the guest lecture.
According to Dr Dhillon, this collaboration has been important in establishing a bilateral science relationship between India and New Zealand. “The continuation of this relationship will go a long way in boosting the ties among the three institutes, through staff exchange programme and collaborative research projects,” he stated.
Dr Saggar said that the potential areas identified for the cooperation are sustainable and integrated land use for agriculture, greenhouse gas emissions in relation to agriculture, post-harvest technology and management, agri-business, food technology and food sciences. Besides, the focus is on the exchange visits by academic staff from PAU to Landcare Research and Massey; and from Landcare Research and Massey to PAU. He further said that emphasis will also be on the recruitment of Ph.D students to Massey University and developing funding proposals for large joint research programmes.