PAU CONVOCATION: Empowering the next generation of agricultural innovators;  Agriculture not just a profession; but a responsibility: Punjab Governor

Ludhiana, March 5, 2025: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) solemnized its Annual Convocation at the Convocation Hall of Dr Manmohan Singh Auditorium here today, scripting yet another chapter of academic excellence, agricultural innovation and reiterating its steadfast commitment to agricultural advancement. Governor of Punjab and Chancellor of PAU, Gulab Chand Kataria, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Vivek Pratap Singh, Principal Secretary to the Governor. World Food Laureate Dr Gurdev Singh Khush, was the Special Guest of the day. Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU; Rishi Pal Singh, Registrar, PAU; Dr M.I.S. Gill, Dean Postgraduate Studies; Deans of all constituent colleges of PAU; Directors and Officers of the University; Heads of various Departments and members of the PAU Board of Management (BoM) were the other dignitaries of the day.

The sombre ceremony was initiated with the Academic Procession led by the University Registrar, Senior Faculty, Additional Directors, Directors, Deans, members of BoM and the dignified authorities of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the University. Habited in their academic robes, the faculty and students lent a grandeur to the solemn and momentous occasion, wherein a total of 374 students - 108 for Doctor of Philosophy, and 266 for Master of Science, Master of Technology, Master of Computer Applications, Master of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (Agri-Business) and Master of Science (Hons) 5-Year Integrated, were conferred upon their degrees, marking a significant milestone in their lives.

Additionally, a total of five students were awarded the Chancellor’s Medal with Citation for the academic sessions 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 in recognition of having secured the highest Overall Credit Point Average (OCPA) in the Doctorate, Master’s and Bachelor’s programmes. A total of 111 students were presented Merit Certificates in recognition of their having obtained an Overall Credit Point Average of 8.00/10.00 or above in the aggregate in the Master of Science, Master of Technology, Master of Computer Applications, Master of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (Agri-Business) and Master of Science (Hons) 5-Year Integrated programmes.

In his inspiring Convocation Address, Governor, Punjab, Gulab Chand Kataria congratulated the young brigade that was ready to embark on diverse professional journeys. “I urge you all to draw an ambitious blueprint for the sustainable development of agriculture and be the torch bearers of the stupendous legacy of your premier institution.” Hailing the Punjab Agricultural University as a long standing beacon of agricultural education and research, significantly shaping the landscape of Indian agriculture and food security, he added that the University well recognises the fast changing socio-economic-agricultural scenario and is developing a competent human resource to address the emerging challenges. “The University has taken tangible steps in creating mass awareness through not only a well-trained human resource, but is also reorienting its research agenda and technology dissemination programmes towards sustainable development”, he shared.

The Governor underscored how the destinies of the alma mater and its alumni are perennially linked to each other. “Today, as we gather to celebrate your achievements, we also acknowledge the university’s continuing contribution to the agricultural sector. Graduates, today marks a significant milestone in your journey. Your dedication, hard work, and perseverance have brought you here, and as you step forward into the world, you carry with you the knowledge and values imparted by this esteemed institution.” Terming agriculture as not just a profession; but a responsibility - one that demands innovation, commitment, and resilience, Sh. Kataria stated emphatically, “Agriculture is the only industry that shall continue to provide sustenance for all times.” As the world faces challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainability, the role of PAU becomes more critical than ever, he concluded, reposing his conviction in the young leaders who would soon embark on ambitious pathways.

Detailing the statistics, the Hon’ble Governor shared that the University would have to keep its lights burning, and believe in the continuum of growth as it had shown in the past. By elevating wheat productivity from 12 quintal/ha to 48 quintal/ha; and up-scaling rice productivity four times; by developing almost 950 varieties; and taking seed production to 66000 tonnes, the PAU has notched the top rankings. However, areas like dairy farming and allied farming practices, medicinal plants and Ayurveda, floriculture and herbal cultivation must also be tended to, he added, emphasising on the need to return organic matter to the soil.

In his Convocation Report, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal provided a comprehensive overview of PAU’s academic achievements, infrastructural developments, and ground breaking research initiatives over the recent years. He highlighted the university’s strides in modernizing agricultural education and expanding state-of-the-art facilities to support innovation. Dr Gosal emphasized PAU’s unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring that the institution remains at the forefront of agricultural advancements, including developing multiple high-yielding crop varieties, cutting-edge production-protectio9n technologies, and impactful farmer-centric initiatives.

Sharing the immense responsibility that the University shouldered, Dr Gosal stated, “Institutes of higher education share the burden of nation building in a critically important sense. The PAU has certainly kept its word to work in consonance with the spirit of resolution and has acquired a distinguished reputation for itself through its integrated functions of teaching, research and extension in agriculture and allied disciplines. While much has been accomplished, we cannot rest on past glories; and are consistently devoting ourselves to pave the way for a sustainable revolution that calls for more resilient agriculture, appropriate technologies, improved healthcare and making clean energy affordable, towards which we stand committed.

Highlighting the recently established School of Digital Innovations for Smart Agriculture, Dr Gosal proudly claimed that this initiative will develop a skilled workforce that can harness the potential of digital technologies to revolutionize agriculture by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, mechatronics and drone technology. Dr Gosal also stated that the University is keenly fostering collaborations with esteemed delegations from universities across the globe to help drive them towards agricultural excellence. “Punjab Agricultural University itself is a testimony to the vision of a great generation of scientists”, he concluded with élan.

The Annual Convocation concluded majestically, as fresh graduates, beaming with pride and optimism, stepped confidently into the future, with ambitious dreams and promises to carry forward PAU’s legacy of innovation and agricultural leadership, transiting from learning to application, from knowledge to impact.