Chandigarh August 17, 2021

            Panjab University Alumni Association in collaboration with Department of Sociology organized an International webinar on Diaspora Engagement in Sustainable Development.

            The key speakers Mr Suthan Kethees,  Management, consultant at Q_PERIOR AG, Deutschland, Germany, Ms Hamsha Padmanathan, Wild life biologist at Government of North West territories, Canada and Dr Prabhu Nadaraj, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, all co-founders of Comdu.it, a global network of diaspora volunteers committed to use diaspora technical skills and knowledge for sustainable development, emphasized on the need to empower local communities without creating dependency for community development based on mutual trust and knowledge economics. They highlighted the practical approach which they had followed in green innovation through organic farming, waste management and generation of renewable energy in different regions of Sri Lanka.  They also mentioned about food innovation i.e. food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods which are based on local food system. They focused on having capacity building programmes which follow the principles of health, ecology ,fairness and care for growth of environmental sustainability across nations.

Prof. V R Sinha, Dean University Instructions,  gave the presidential remarks in which he clearly defined through wonderful illustrations the change in the attitude of people regarding safeguarding the environment during the tough pandemic times.

Earlier, Prof. Anupama Sharma, Dean, Alumni Association, PU in her welcome address highlighted the role of diaspora in bringing a positive change for the environment  and how diaspora involvement can produce effective results in creating awareness regarding conserving and preserving the environment.

Prof Rani Mehta, Chairperson, Department of Sociology, earlier introduced the theme of the webinar by focusing on the significance of sustainable development especially for developing nations which are worst affected due to unlimited economic growth and lack of sufficient knowledge about clean technology to take care of their environmental hazards such as global warming, desertification, deforestation, species extinction etc. Thus, sustainable development  efforts are essential and need to be dynamic as well as should involve a basic change in the way we think, produce, consume and the way in which we behave towards each other.

The Vote of Thanks was given by Professor Anupama Sharma and the webinar was well attended by scholars from the region and outside it. 

Chandigarh August 12, 2021

          Subject to the approval of the Chancellor of the University, the following candidates have been declared elected as Ordinary Fellows of the Panjab University from the Constituency of the Professors on the Staff of the Teaching Departments of the University under Sub Section (1) (b) of Section 13 of the P.U. Act. (one Member each from Arts and Science Departments).

Chandigarh August 11, 2021

The Department of Zoology, Panjab University Chandigarh hosted today, virtual distinguished lectures under the aegis of Indian Sciences Congress Association and Zoological Society of India in collaboration with Chandigarh forum for Sciences and Technology Communication.

The session was chaired by Prof. R. C. Sobti former Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University Chandigarh, and Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Central University, Lucknow. Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Chairperson of, Department of Zoology welcomed the distinguished guests and eminent speakers.

The first distinguished lecture entitled “Small stories big impact DNA in life science research” was delivered by Prof. Gulab Khedkar Director, Paul Hebert Centre for DNA Barcoding and Biodiversity Studies, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad India. He discussed DNA barcoding and International Barcode of Life (iBOL) initiatives. He elaborated upon the applications of DNA barcoding in taxonomic studies on fishes, food forensic and wildlife monitoring, exploration and impact of exotic species. Further, he also highlighted the importance of beta-actin markers in microsatellite genotyping and metagenomic profile of uterine samples to improve the in-vitro fertilization success ratio.

The second lecture entitled “Protein-based Biomarkers methods of discovery and clinical application” was delivered by Dr. Sudarshan Kumar, Sr. ScientistAnimal Biotechnology Center, ICAR-NDRI Karnal. He discussed bovine proteomics using mass spectrometry. He emphasized the working and methodologies of various techniques in isolating protein and the importance of proteomic research. He provided an insight into the various high throughput data analyses pipelines and various protein sequences databases. He also discussed the apoptosis pathways in different organs and different biomarkers for pregnancy discoveries using protein content in cow urine.

The session ended with vote of thanks form Dr. Archana Chauhan, coordinator of the event.

The session was attended by more than 100 participants.

Chandigarh August 9, 2021

The office of Dean international Students, Department of Sociology, Department of Social Work and Department of History celebrated Amrut Mahotsav 75 years of India’s Independence by special lecture of Professor Rajendra Khimani , Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Vidyapith University, Ahmedabad, who spoke about the lifestyle during Pandemic.

Prof.  Khimani follows the path of Gandhiji and highlighted to the participants that they should eat homemade food with less quantity, do regular physical activity and follow naturopathy in order to fight the woes of the pandemic. He focused on simplicity and use of natural resources to combat pandemics. He also elaborated on policy of reduce ,reuse and recycle for the benefit of all . He also mentioned about the focus on Indian culture and its various languages to make education more viable and vibrant with maximum participation by all including those belonging to rural areas. These are also part of the NEP 2020 which gives encouragement to teaching in local languages, dignity of labour etc. for which he has himself made efforts in his university.

Prof. Anju Suri, Dean International Students, highlighted various achievements of India over the years be it Olympics, mission to Mars, nuclear power plants etc.

 Earlier, Prof. Rani Mehta, Chairperson, Sociology Department, introduced the speaker by mentioning about the innovative techniques of recycling of drainage water, terrace farming, roof water harvesting and other energy saving programmes which were started by him in Gujarat Vidyapith.  

The vote of thanks was given by Prof. Anju Suri and it was well attended by participants from the region.