Cyber frauds a serious concern, use digital technologies wisely: PAU VC

Ludhiana, October 23, 2023: A galaxy of eminent scholars and virtual experts deliberated on growing trend of digitalization and shared cyber concerns during the Australia-India (AI) Hub facilitated International Symposium on the “Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity,” organized by the School of Business Studies (SBS), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in the University campus.

The chief guest Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU and Chief Patron of the symposium, voiced concern over the rising cyber frauds and called for careful use of digital technologies, to which human beings have become slaves and fall prey easily, leading to online crimes. The hi-tech era can lead to colossal achievements if used sensibly, he observed, while urging to chalk out a roadmap for promoting agribusiness through digitalization in Punjab.

Dr Kamaljeet Sandhu, Chairperson of International Symposium and Director, AI Hub, while delivering his keynote address, made a call for initiating the much needed interaction which could foster collaboration, innovation and an in-depth exploration of the latest technological developments in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors. “Digital transformation is picking up its pace,” he said, while emphasizing on becoming civilized citizens and saying no to cyber crimes.

An accomplished and seasoned officer Kahn Singh Pannu, Former Secretary of Agriculture, Punjab, promoted the optimal use of farm inputs viz. water, pesticides, fertilizers, etc; and effective cooperative systems for sustaining the present-day agriculture.

In his welcome address, Dr Ramandeep Singh, Co-Chairperson of International Symposium and Professor-cum-Director, SBS, underscored the development of entrepreneurial mindset to reap the benefits from agribusiness. “The success of any business lies in inculcating managerial skills that help a firm or company grow from strength to strength,” he added.

Among others present on the occasion were Gurbinder Singh Bajwa, General Secretary of Young Innovative Farmers' Group of Punjab; media partners of the symposium – Cogneesol alongwith Mr Hunardeep Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of the company and developer of ApniKheti App; Sardar Amrik Singh, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Gurdaspur; Colonel Gurinderjit Singh Hara, CEO and Principal Consultant of Hara Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd, Bangalore; and Mr Harpreet Singh, a distinguished food technologist and an agripreneur.

Dr Shammi Kapoor, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities; Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research; Dr GS Buttar, Director of Extension Education; Sardar Agyakar Grewal from Australia and faculty of SBS attended the symposium.