Chandigarh August 29, 2020

University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), Panjab University inaugurated TEQIP-III sponsored three days online international conference entitled “INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTEGRATED INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATIONS IN ENGINEERING” on 28^th August 2020.

The conference scheduled from 28^th to 30^th August 2020 is being organized under twining activity of TEQIP-III in collaboration with Govt. college of Engineering and Technology Jammu under the guidance and patronage of  Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Prof. Savita Gupta, Director UIET, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Dr. Sameru Sharma, Principal, Government College of Engineering and Technology, Jammu. The technical program is enriched with internationally reputed speakers scheduled to give ten plenary talks, twelve invited talks, eight short invited talks and 200 oral/poster presentations from participants from various institutes from India and abroad.

The Conference Chair Prof. R. K. Singla, Dean University Instruction, Panjab University delivered the welcome address. Prof. Singla emphasized on the application of various interdisciplinary innovations in our life. He also said that the conference will provide a valuable opportunity for the researchers, scientists, academicians, industry specialists and decision makers to share their experiences on a common platform. 

Prof. V. R. Sinha, Dean Research, Guest of Honour, stated that the conference will serve as an effective platform to learn, share, supplement learning while keeping abreast with the latest developments in the respective areas. He also stated that in this pandemic era of COVID-19, the conference will definitely benefit the research students.

Prof. Savita Gupta, Director, UIET elucidated the theme of the conference. She also quoted the role of interdisciplinary research as the base of many great discoveries and cited examples of great scientists.  She said that the objective of this conference is to bring active researchers and experts from various disciplines to showcase their state of art research results and to integrate interdisciplinary connections amongst them.

Chief guest Prof. P. M. Khodke, Central Project Advisor, NPIU, Govt. of India, delivered his inaugural address online. He stated that in past few decades engineering faculty are playing a major role in solving many societal and industrial problems and in future, the technical education will become boundaryless. He discussed about the MHRD ‘IMRINT’ program and its importance. He also discussed the role of World Bank assisted TEQIP in improving Engineering/Technical education. He also emphasized on collaborative research. He motivated the participants & set the tone of the conference.

Prof. Sukhwinder Singh, Conference Co-Chair & Coordinator, TEQIP-III extended vote of thanks by  paying gratitude to Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice- Chancellor, PU and Chief Patron for inspiring and encouraging the UIET team to organize this international conference. He also thanked Chief guest, Prof. P. M. Khodke, Guest of Honour, Prof. V. R. Sinha, Conference Chair Prof. R. K. Singla, Prof. Savita Gupta, Director, UIET, Dr. Sameru Sharma, Principal, GCET, Jammu, Prof. Harmesh Kumar Kansal, Program Chair, Prof. Harish Kumar, Nodal Officer, TEQIP-III, Prof. Kapil Sharma, Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee from South  Asian University, New Delhi, Dr Minto Rattan, Coordinator and all the members of organizing team , technical staff. He also thanked sponsors of this conference, TEQIP-III & Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi, without their generous financial support, it would not have been possible to organize this conference.

Organising team consisting of Dr. Naresh Kumar, Prof. Naveen Aggarwal, Dr. Y P Verma, Dr. Deepak Kumar, Dr. Vivek Pahwa, Dr. Kalpana Dahiya, Dr. Suresh Kumar, Dr. Prabhjot Kaur were also present on this occasion.  

Chandigarh August 28, 2020

The Department of Community Education and Disability Studies, Panjab University  organized a webinar on National Education Policy 2020: Roadmap for Implementation.The Chief Guest of the Webinar was Shri Bandaru Dattatreya ,Honorable Governor of Himachal Pradesh. 

Prof. R.K.Singla DUI, Panjab University Introduced the Chief Guest and extended warm welcome on behalf of Panjab University.  Prof. Raj Kumar Vice Chancellor in his address stated that  Panjab University has already started planning short and long term implementation of NEP 2020. He also stressed on sharing of resources’ and collaborations with different agencies. Prof Raj Kumar also highlighted the infrastructure facilities like CIL, Incubation Center and Human Resources’ in the form of eminent scientists and researchers presently working in the Panjab University.

The Chief Guest of the Webinar Shri Bandaru Dattatreya Honorable Governor of Himachal Pradesh at the outset appreciated Panjab University for being one of the important Universities in the country producing the best Alumni in all the important fields. ‘This education policy is the true representative of Bharat and I hope that this policy will help in achieving the goals of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. This policy will help in making India a superpower in future and will stop brain drain’ Added Sh. Dattatraya. Governor also deliberated on Conversion of leading colleges into board administered, autonomous, degree giving HEIs and freeing up undergraduate students to take courses across all disciplines. He also discussed Launch of a four-year bachelor’s degree and incorporating vocational education in college curriculum. The emphasis was on Creation of a National Research Foundation.

The Vote of thanks was proposed by Coordinator of the Webinar  Prof. Prashant Gautam, UIHTM, Panjab University, Chandigarh who thanked The Chief Guest of the Webinar  Shri Bandaru Dattatreya Honorable Governor of Himachal Pradesh for sparing his valuable time and addressing PU faculty, research scholars and students. He also thanked Prof. Raj Kumar Vice Chancellor, Panjab University for having the vision and goal  for motivating everyone to achieve the same.

Chandigarh August 28, 2020

An international Make-Up artist, Mandy Singh from Canada delivered a talk in a Webinar          titled – Changing Dynamics of Make-Up Industry organised by Dr Prabhdip Brar,  Chairperson,University Institute of Fashion Technology & Vocational Development (UIFT&VD), Panjab University, Chandigarh .

Dr. Brar gave a welcome address and introduced  the speaker, Mandy, a graduate in Fashion and Fine Art, with artistic abilities to do stunning makeovers, working with the world’s renowned brand M.A.C cosmetic to Fashion magazines like Harper Bazaar and Toronto Men’s Fashion week with over 7 years of experience in the makeup industry. He is well versed with his knowledge and current makeup techniques.

The talk spanned about the huge potential where the last 5 years have seen a 60% growth in this lucrative make up industry. Cosmetic industry encompasses haircare, skincare, hygiene and retail along with make-up.  The wedding business in India is 40-50 billion dollars industry just second to that of USA. Mandy suggested that Artistry required creative freedom. To be successful in this business you need to know what you are good at and should gain experience before venturing into the business. The right proportion of patience, personal connections, research and consistency are the essential requirements. Free lancing, YouTube blogging and social media influencers would help in spreading a good word of mouth about your good work.

Another Webinar titled – Online Trend of Shopping and Retail was conducted by Mr. Saurav Negi, founder of MIAMINX, a style destination for the trendiest and most affordable clothing online for latest in casual and fashion wear. The speaker pointed that providing solutions to the customer makes a brand win half the battle. It is the need of the hour for fashion and lifestyle brands to stay most relevant to the customers by conducting research and fill the gap in the market by focussing equally on quality and design. Need for Increased Visibility of the Right Product with Right kind of Marketing is the way forward. Brands can use either organic or sponsored platforms for marketing, tap the consumer base of influencers and bloggers but a brand can only thrive by reinventing themselves. The New Normal has its own set of challenges for entrepreneurship and brands are now focussing on Work from Home Collections. Also, the future of online shopping depends on Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence as brands work to provide customized and personalised experience by recognising the digital footprint left behind by internet users. The fashion students were advised to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in Ethnic wear as this segment has been continuously seeing growth than western wear.

These webinars were attended by more than 65 participants including faculty, research scholars and final year students of B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Fashion and Lifestyle Technology.