Panjab University (PU) Vice Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar’s Statement at Senate Meeting held on January 8th, 2022

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Demokretic Front, Chandigarh :

1.   I take this opportunity of welcoming all the Members of this august House which has been constituted by the Hon’ble Vice President of India and Chancellor of Panjab University, Chandigarh.  I look forward to your valuable guidance for the growth of this historic University.

2.   My sincere greetings for the Happy New Year – 2022. We have been able to face the pandemic and I pray to almighty to help the entire humanity in remaining safe in the coming years in the wake of other variants e.g. Omicron etc.

3.   With a deep sense of sorrow, I may inform the honourable Members of the Senate about the sad demise of many distinguished personalities during the last two years after meeting of this august House on 13.12.2019:-

i)       Prof. B.L. Abbi, father of Prof. Kumool Abbi, former
Chairperson, Department of Sociology, on 18.12.2019;

ii)     Prof. (Miss) Jatinder Bhullar, Former Prof. & Chairperson,
Department of Physical Education, on 18.12.2019;

iii)   Shri S.S. Sethi, father of Prof. Rajesh Gill, Fellow, on 21.12.2019;

iv)   Prof. Sanjay Wadwalkar, former Chairperson, School of Communication Studies, on 25.12.2019;

v)     Prof. Shashi K. Sharma, former Chairperson, Department ofLaws, on 31.12.2019;

vi)   Prof. Darshan Singh, former Fellow & Professor Emeritus, on04.01.2020;

vii)  Smt. Naseeb Kaur, mother of Prof. Paramjit Kaur, UBS on 12.01.2020;

viii)            Shri K.K. Bandlish father of Shri Sanjeev Kumar Bandlish, Fellow, on 5th February 2020;

ix)   Dr. Ramdhari Singal, former Chairperson, Department of Hindi, on 25.02.2020;

x)     Padma Shri Harkishan Singh, Professor Emeritus, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, on 20.3.2020;

xi)   Mrs. Kuldeep Kaur wife of Dr. Anmol Rattan Sidhu, former Fellow & Legal Retainer of Panjab University, on 21.4.2020;

xii)  Prof. Rekha Jhanji, Department of Philosophy and wife of Prof. B.S. Brar, Department of Political Science and former Dean of University Instruction, on 8.5.2020;

xiii)            Prof. Shankarji Jha, former Dean of University Instruction, on 10.5.2020;

xiv)            Padma Shri Balbir Singh Senior, on 25.5.2020, hockey legend, who had won 3 Olympic gold medals and upon whom the University had conferred Khel Ratna Award in the year 2016;

xv)  Shri A.N. Grover father of Professor Arun Grover, former Vice-Chancellor of our University, on 26.5.2020;

xvi)            Shri Kehar Singh, Ex-Fellow on 23.06.2020;

xvii)          Sh. Suraj Sandhu f/o Dr. Iqbal Singh Sandhu, former Senator on 22.10.2020;

xviii)         Sh. B.L.Gupta, former Registrar of the university on 13.11.2021;

xix)            Sh. Laxman Dass Singla f/o Prof. Savita Gupta, Fellow on 22.11.2020;

xx)  Smt. Omvati Gupta mother-in-law of Dr. Namita Gupta, UIEASS on 6.12.2021;

xxi)            Dr. Anil Kumar Thakur, Department of Laws on 19.12.2021.

        Some names might not have been included because of lack of knowledge.  Our sincere apologies for that.  These will be added upon getting any such information through our Hon’ble Members/other quarters.

        (To pay homage to the departed souls, two minutes silence, all standing, may be observed).

4.   I am happy to inform that our University has attained top ranking in the Innovation, Start-up and entrepreneurship development among Govt. and aided Universities of India as per Atal Ranking of Institutions of Innovation Achievements (ARIIA).  There have been various other distinguished accomplishments by our University fraternity during all these 2 years.  Our heartiest felicitation to all of them.  27 of our faculty members have been included in the list of 2% Scientists of the world.

5.   The Department of Youth Welfare has conducted 12 Zonal Youth and Heritage Festivals followed by 62nd PU Inter Zonal Youth & Heritage Festival successfully during the month of Nov/Dec, 2021 in which about twenty thousand students/teachers/accompanists participated. Student’s artists showed their talent in 65 events of Music, Dance, Theatre, Fine Arts, Literary and Folk Arts.

6.   It is a matter of great proud that the University has won the prestigious MAKA (Maulana Abul Kalam Azad) trophy for the 3rd consecutive year.  PU also won overall championship in the first Khelo India University Games-2020.  I congratulate the Director (Sports), coaches, all the players and entire PU fraternity who put in their best efforts to win the same. 

7.   UIPS has received a grant of Rs.1 crore under Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) from a multinational pharmaceutical company, M/s Mylan Laboratories Limited, facilitated by its alumni. This is the highest grant received under CSR by Panjab University.

8.   Dr Gurmeet Singh, Fellow and Associate Professor Department of Hindi was invited as visiting Professor by the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He taught at the department of translation studies and international journalism in the months of Oct-Nov 2021.

DST- UKIERI Workshop starts at PU

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Chandigarh January 5, 2022

Indo-UK partnership development workshop started at University Institute of Engineering & Technology (UIET), Panjab University (PU) here today.

The prestigious workshop is being jointly organised by UIET and Birmingham City University, UK from January 05, 2022 to January 07, 2022 under UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) in Hybrid (Physically/Online) mode with the support of Department of Science and Technology (DST) and UKIERI on the issue of “Solar pump based village microgrids – potential for tackling the energy/water/food nexus in Punjab”.  

The scientists, engineers, economists and political scientists from different Universities of UK and India such as PAU Ludhiana, CCSHAU Hisar, NIT Kurukshetra, PU Chandigarh, Jammu University, Govt. of Punjab, NABARD and BCU UK etc. would participate in the workshop. While following the latest pandemic protocols, few participants from India joined physically whereas remaining from India and UK joined through on-line mode.

Former Advisor World Bank and COO in UN Sustainable Energy for All, Mr Mohinder Gulati delivered the keynote address. Mr Gulati highlighted policies related to various World Bank supported projects such as Direct Benefit Transfer Experiment in Punjab and Rajasthan Study on “Grow Solar, Save Water, and Double Farmer Income”. Consequent upon, the important talk on Solar Power as a Remunerative Crop and SKY Implementation Experience was presented by Dr Shilp Verma, from International Water Management Institute.

Indian Lead Coordinator Prof. Yajvender Pal Verma welcomed the guests and presented theme of the workshop. He also presented a case study related to the technical and economic feasibility of a solar pump based microgrid system in the villages of Punjab. The lead coordinators from UK, Prof. Cham Athwal, Prof. Lynsey Melville presented the context of the workshop related to Village Micro grid.

The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. J.K Goswamy Director UIET PU Chandigarh. Delegates from UKIERI Miss Henna Jairath, Dr. Jaya Goyal, Prof. Sunil Labroo from New York State University, Members from Punjab State Technical Council and British council were present during the inaugural ceremony. 

Prof. J.K Goswamy Director UIET PU Chandigarh presented his views on the concept of the workshop and emphasis on the practices to be adopted for developing the smart villages in Punjab.

During the next three days, various experts from engineering, economics, Social Science, management start-up, industry and power companies will deliberate upon the issues related to energy/water/ food nexus in Punjab and come out with some practically feasible solutions to address the same.  The focus of the workshop is to address the issues of depleting water level and energy requirement for irrigation pumps in the state of Punjab. This workshop would also explore joint research collaborations with a potential of creating innovations and social impact through industry or society engagement. Workshop would establish new research links with institutions in both countries with the potential for longer term sustainability.  

NTU Representative Visits PU to Optimize the NTU-PU Science and Technology Partnership Centre

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Chandigarh January 4, 2022

Ms. Vidhi Sahae, Sr Global Partnership Manager, Nottingham Trent University (NTU), UK  visited Panjab University(PU) today to discuss further progress under the Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration between NTU and PU.

Ms. Vidhi Sahae met the PU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar to update the progress on NTU-PU Science and Technology Partnership Centre and other upcoming collaborative projects.

Earlier, a meeting was chaired by the Dean Research, Prof. S.K. Tomar, and attended by Prof. Prashant Gautam, Director Sports, Prof. Deepti Gupta, Dean International Students, Prof. J.N. Goswami, Director, UIET and other faculty members from UIET, UIEFT, Biochemistry, UBS and UIAMS.

NTU and PU have been collaborating under the MoU signed in 2015, and renewed in 2019, especially for partnership with UIFT, UBS and CHRD at PU. This partnership is now strengthened in the area of Engineering and technology. A detailed approach to fostering such co-operation was firmed up to operationalize ideas discussed from the current academic session. Discussing the way forward, with the guidance of PU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar, it was unanimously decided that future collaboration will focus on a few verticals in order to maintain the high quality of achieved results.

The NTU- PU Science and Technology Partnership Centre has been active for the past two years with seed money offered to innovators, student exchange and internship opportunities. Funding opportunities for mobility of UG, PG students, research  scholars as well as faculty are available under this center, in addition to opportunities for joint symposia, conferences and research projects. Students can apply for project and research training at NTU and faculty can apply for collaborative research activities through this center.

The meeting explored avenues for Sports Partnership that would facilitate exchange of athletes, coaches, technical officials, sports scientists between the two countries. It will advance NTU-PU cooperation in Hockey, Yoga, athletics and coach training and development, sport science, sport governance and integrity and grassroots participation. The partnership will also explore further collaboration with other departments of PU.

Advances in Pedagogy- online refresher course begins at PU

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Chandigarh January 4, 2022

Two weeks Refresher online course started today on the theme ”Advances in Pedagogy” at Panjab University(PU).

Eminent educationist and ardent Physicist, former Vice Chancellor of three universities and member of NEP 2020 drafting committee, Prof BS Rajput delivered the inaugural address at the Refresher course being hosted by UGC HRDC.

The course will run from January 4 to 17 2022. It is being attended by 37 faculty members from diverse disciplines ranging from Medical Microbiology, Engineering, Sociology, History, Geography, Sanskrit and English languages to Music. The resource persons and participants are from all parts of the country.

Prof. Latika Sharma coordinator of the course welcomed the chief guest and participants to the course. She briefly introduced the theme. Director HRDC PU Prof. S.K. Tomar introduced the chief guest and highlighted the importance of the theme in the current scenario of education.

Addressing the function, Prof B.S. Rajput said that education is the fastest vehicle for development of the man, the society and the nation. Education is for dissemination of knowledge, creating of new knowledge and generation of awareness about issues of national importance and challenges. A good teacher interprets knowledge and connects to that knowledge to society. Development of pedagogical competence is of prime significance for quality teaching. Communication is pivotal to the art and science of teaching, how a topic is conveyed to the student at his level and lifting it to the highest level. Inquiry based Socratic method, cooperative learning, student centric pedagogy for cognitive and skill development can make communication by teachers effective. Teachers have to encourage students for original thinking, creativity and expression of their ideas

Similarly Research has to be need based, relevant and not just to publish papers to fill gaps in foreign research. The NEP has recommended setting up of National Research Foundation so that the creativity and academic freedom of researchers can be geared too pertinent issues and needs of the society, Prof. Rajput added.

National Council for Integration of Vocational Education will provide guidelines for education from class 8 onwards so that instead of job seekers, young people may become job providers.

Teachers have to take a keen interest in identifying the unique potential and talents of the students so that they can be guided to pursue their ambitions in chosen fields rather than be in rat race.

Prof. Rajput shared his keen interest in Quantum computing for which he is known worldwide and several interactions to highlight that we need to keep the future in mind as we plan our interactions with students. Quality education and research comes from such commitment.

PU ENACTUS TEAM ORGANIZES ‘NUTRITION AND HEALTH’ WORKSHOP AT NAYAGAON

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Chandigarh January 4, 2022

Panjab University (PU) ENACTUS team today organized ‘Nutrition and Health’ workshop to educate the slum people of Nayagaon about the importance of good health and nutrition.

Theworkshop was organised in collaboration with an NGO, Developing Indigenous Resources-India (DIR), Nayagaon.

Addressing the workshop, Faculty Advisor of PU ENACTUS team Prof. Seema Kapoor said that the health is the real wealth in today’s world with unique challenges. Knowing the needs and requirements of body is essential for maintaining mental, social and physical wellbeing. Eating a healthy diet has become very important as what we eat and drink can affect our body’s ability to prevent, fight and recover from infections. This initiative was taken to help the people of Janta colony & Adarsh colony to highlight on how important good health is and how nutrition plays a central role in it, Prof. Kapoor added.

Addressing the workshop, PU Dietitian Dr. Ekta Bajaj primarily deliberated on the nutritional needs for the pregnant, lactating mothers and malnourished children, especially under 5 years. She highlighted the significance of sprouted pulses, cereals, green vegetables and milk products, etc. She also emphasized the importance of breast feeding and weaning of infants after the age of 6 months.

Dr. Asha Katoch, CEO of DIR accentuated that tackling food insecurity, taking appropriate measures and spreading awareness about health and nutrition is something that is required in today’s time.

Ms. Ibadat Jishtu, National Program Manager at ENACTUS India and also a proud alumna of ENACTUS, PU, participated in the event and appreciated the efforts and goodwill of ENACTUS team & DIR for promulgating the important aspect of health and nutrition. 

Prof. Kapoor, Dr. Bajaj and Ms. Ibadat further aided the humanitarian cause by adopting 3 children under Nutrition Improvement Priority Programme for underprivileged malnourished children under 5 years of age, thus facilitating each child with Rs. 1000/- per month.

Team Enactus also handed over a 15 litres pressure cooker along with a big stainless steel Karahi assisting DIR to cook nutritious food in bulk in 1 batch for 90 families’ everyday under Nutrition Improvement Priority Program. As part of the spirit of the event, the team of ENACTUS distributed healthy fruits and cereals as refreshments to over 100 community members and others present during the workshop, signifying the dynamic interdependency of nutrition and health.

Akshit Kalra, President of ENACTUS team along with Meesha and Sonali, Vice Presidents emphasized the essentiality of enlightening people about the paramount importance of health.

Project Head Amanpreet, Chetan and Nandini along with Finance Head, Yash Tripathi and Content Head, Dea headlined that nutrition is the key to health and longevity.

Team ENACTUS expressed grateful to PU Dean Student Welfare Prof. S.K. Tomar and higher authorities of university for corroborating its venture to create a better and more sustainable society.

UBS Invites Applications for Admission to Ph.D. Programme, 2021

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Chandigarh, January 3, 2022

University Business School (UBS), Panjab University(PU) has invited applications for admission to the Ph.D. program in Faculty of Business Management and Commerce at the UBS.

The PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2021 qualified have been advised to download the application form from UBS website
https://www.ubs.puchd.ac.in/show-noticeboard.php?nbid=1 for the academic session 2021-2022 and fill the details in Google form as well.

Candidates are also required to submit the hard copy of application form duly filled along with Annexure in the UBS office latest by 4 PM of
January 14, 2022. Any form received later than the due date will not be entertained.

PU organises Annual Sports Prize Distribution Function

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Chandigarh January 1, 2022

Panjab University(PU) Annual Prize Distribution Function for the session 2019-20 was held at PU Gymnasium Hall, today. 
Former University Grant Commission(UGC) Chairman Prof. Dharinder Pal Singh was the Chief Guest at the function organised by the PU Directorate of Sports. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dharinder Pal appreciated the achievement of PU sportspersons at the national level by winning MAKA trophy.
In his address, PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar called upon the sportspersons to aim higher and bigger to achieve big in national & international events. He also referred to PU achievements in sports.
DAV College Chandigarh received the overall General Championship Trophy A Division for Men & Women section for the session 2019-20. SGGS College, Chandigarh and GGS College for Women, Sector-26, Chandigarh received the Runner up Trophy for the General Trophy of Men Section and Women Section respectively. 
President PUSC Dr. Neena Seth Pajni, Director Physical Education & Sports Prof. Prashant Kumar Gautam and Dr. Rakesh Malik also spoke on the occasion. Principals along with Sports Incharge of their respected colleges, coaches, Sports promoters and staff of this directorate were present in the function.  The annual function could not be organised earlier due to the lockdown.

TOUR TO MUSEUMS AT PU MARKS THE NEW YEAR FOR CHILDREN

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Chandigarh January 1, 2022

Panjab University (PU) Centre for Social Work today organised an exposure visit for children of migrant labourers in PU campus. As many as 10 children (09 girls and 1 boy) of age group between 6 to 14 years from different construction sites visited Museums at Departments of Zoology & Anthropology.

The purpose of the event was to give children a practical exposure about the preserved animals and importance of animal studies. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Zoology, Anthropology and Social Work. 

At the Zoology museum, the school going children were exposed to various skeletons of animals like Camel, Horse, and Crocodile etc. Children were very curious to see snakes and fishes. Dr Archana from the Department of Zoology helped the children to recognise different animals and other mammals. 

Prof. Yogesh Rawal Chairperson, Department of Zoology shared the story behind the museums and how these skeletons and fishes are being preserved. Prof. V K Walia helped children to recognise different Butterflies. Prof Walia has a rich collection of thousands of Butterflies collected in the last three decades. Dr Maninder Kaur, Chairperson, Department of Anthropology also interacted with them and went to see the museum as well. 

Ivneet Kaur Walia, Assistant Professor, National Law University, Patiala also joined this tour and interacted with these children. Centre for Social Work Chairperson, Dr.Gaurav Gaur shared his views about the significance of organising such small events for children to enhance their creativity and make them understand about the existing species all around us and their contribution to the ecosystem. The event ended with lunch at the Centre for Social Work.   

PU VC Releases Calendar 2022

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Chandigarh December 31, 2021

Panjab University (PU) Vice Chancellor Professor Raj Kumar today launched the Digital Calenader 2022 of Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Raj Kumar greeted the university teachers, officers, non teaching employees, alumni and students on the occasion of New Year. He wished them peace, joy and fulfilment in 2022.

While appreciating the initiative of launching digital calendar, Prof. Raj Kumar expressed his happiness that the University calendar that used to adorn the walls in the past will now adorn the mobile phones of all students and staff members. He said that the Digital Calendar of the University is in line with Prime Minister’s Vision of “Digital India” and can be accessed at click of a button on any smart phone. While the earlier physical version of University Calendar was sold at some fixed price, the digital avatar of the calendar will be available to anyone across the world, he added.

PU Dean University Instructions Prof. V.R Sinha; Registrar and Finance Development Officer CA Vikram Nayyar; Controller of Examinations Dr. Jagat Bhushan, Dean Research Prof. S.K. Tomar; Director Public Relations Dr. Vineet Punia; SVC Dr. Muneeshwar Joshi and Manager  PU Press Mr. Jatinder Moudgil were also present on the occasion.

PU VC Releases Calendar 2022

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PU Vice Chancellor Professor Raj Kumar today launched the Digital Calenader 2022 of Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Raj Kumar greeted the university teachers, officers, non-teaching employees, alumni and students on the occasion of New Year. He wished them peace, joy and fulfillment in 2022.

While appreciating the initiative of launching digital calendar, Prof. Raj Kumar expressed his happiness that the University calendar that used to adorn the walls in the past will now adorn the mobile phones of all students and staff members. He said that the Digital Calendar of the University is in line with Prime Minister’s Vision of “Digital India” and can be accessed at click of a button on any smart phone. While the earlier physical version of University Calendar was sold at some fixed price, the digital avatar of the calendar will be available to anyone across the world, he added.

PU Dean University Instructions Prof. V.R Sinha; Registrar and Finance Development Officer CA Vikram Nayyar; Controller of Examinations Dr. Jagat Bhushan, Dean Research Prof. S.K. Tomar; Director Public Relations Dr. Vineet Punia; SVC Dr. Muneeshwar Joshi and Manager  PU Press Mr. Jatinder Moudgil were also present on the occasion.