PAU GEARS UP TO HOLD 3-DAY PUNJAB SCIENCE CONGRESS

Ludhiana, February 2, 2018: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is all set to host the 21st Punjab Science Congress on “Scientific Advances for Inclusive Development and Environmental Protection” from February 7-9. About 1000 delegates from Punjab and adjoining states are expected to participate in the Congress, to be held under the aegis of Punjab Academy of Sciences, Patiala. Dr Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India, will be the chief guest while Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, will preside over the Congress. Having hosted the Congress earlier in 2001 and 2009, the University is going to host the Punjab Science Congress for the third time in 2018.

Divulging details, Dr (Mrs) G.K. Sangha, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, PAU, and Convener of the Organizing Committee, said the Congress will lay thrust on various inter-disciplinary branches relating to agricultural sciences, food, dairy and sugar technologies; and biosciences including biochemistry, biophysics and biotechnology. Apart from this, focus will be on pure and applied chemistry and physics, mathematical sciences, nanotechnology, and environmental, community and social sciences, she informed. Experts will also deliberate on medical, veterinary, pharmaceutical sciences in addition to engineering sciences including computational sciences and architecture, she added. Scientists; research and development professionals; research scholars; experts from educational institutions, government and non-government organizations; and corporate representatives will participate in big number in the Congress, said Dr Sangha.

Dr Shammi Kapoor, Organizing Secretary, said several awards will be presented during the Congress which include Honorary Fellowship of the Academy, Young Scientist Awards, Research Award for a rural woman working in the area of pharmaceutical sciences, Best College Science Teacher Award, Best Rural School Science Teacher Award and to rural girl student who has topped Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) matriculation examination in 2017. Oral and poster presentations will also be held, he informed, saying that a table top exhibition will be put up by agri-entrepreneurs engaged in food products, food processing, farm machinery and others.