190 Home Science graduates awarded degrees at PAU

Ludhiana, February 24, 2015: The convocation-cum-prize distribution function of the College of Home Science (COHS), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) was held today. A total of 190 pass outs of B.Sc.Home Science (Hons.) 4-year and 6-year progammes, B.Sc Fashion Designing (Hons.), and B.Sc Nutrition and Dietetics (Hons.) during the years 2011-12 to 2013-14 were awarded degrees. Besides, five students were conferred with Gold Medals, 19 with Merit Certificates and many others with College Colour and prizes for excelling in academics, sports and co-curricular activities.

Dr B Meenakumari, Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR, New Delhi was the chief guest at the convocation while Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, presided over.

In her convocation address, Dr Meenakumari said, “Education is essential for employment and emancipation of women.” Stating that rural development is crucial for development of India, she said that this can come from women empowerment. Home scientists play an active role in uplifting the status of rural women folk by providing them education, training and encouraging them to participate in agriculture and allied activities, she suggested. Further, she observed that the discipline of home science can provide appropriate answers to the challenges of food security, poverty, malnutrition, burgeoning population, illiteracy, women empowerment, unemployment etc. “Our fashion, food, travel, hospitality and entertainment industries are becoming world class and making huge impact,” she said. Highlighting that the country has carved a niche in textiles and handicrafts in the world market, she said that India is fast becoming education and health destination. Dr Meenakumari emphasised that the main aim of high quality research in home science should be to push frontiers of knowledge as well as to evolve implementable technologies for development. An equally important concern is sensitization of men to gender issues for which home science can pay yeoman service, she observed. She congratulated the budding home scientists and exhorted them to be a part of nation building process through innovation, capabilities and spirit of entrepreneurship.

Earlier, while highlighting the activities and achievements of COHS, Dr Jasvinder Kaur Sangha, Dean, College of Home Science said that the College has played a significant role in improving the socio-economic conditions of rural as well as urban families. She said that COHS is a pioneer institution among the home science colleges of state agricultural varsities that started offering Masters’ programmes in all disciplines of home science in 70s. The College envisages high-quality teaching, research and extension services that are flexible and relevant to understand and meet the needs of rural Punjab alongwith the needs of diverse individuals and sections of society, she added.

Dr. B.S. Dhillon presented the degrees to the students while Chief Guest gave away the prizes.