PUAA feels proud of its researchers

Chandigarh: As part of its Research Promotion activities, Panjab University Alumni Association contributes a part of the student fees collected from the University and its affiliated colleges to support researches under the PUAA Research Promotion Fund. Under this initiative, research proposals are invited from PU departments and its affiliated colleges. A total of 36 research proposals have been received this year. Out of these, 15 are presently under consideration.

The first shortlisted research project is titled Exploring relationship between Organisational Citizenship Behaviour and Total Quality Management among teachers of K12 schools of Ludhiana district by Dr. Manu Chadha, Associate Professor (G.H.G. Khalsa Collage of Education Gurusar Sadhar, Ludhiana). The project measures the contribution of Organisational Citizenship Behaviour of the teachers of K12 schools which is the willingness of the teachers to contribute their time and energy besides their formal responsibilities on Total Quality Management in these schools. The project also describes the process of cultivating Organisational Citizenship Behaviour in the teachers.The second project proposal has been submitted by Dr.Anu H Gupta, Investigator, Assistant Professor(UIFT & VD, Panjab University, Chandigarh) and Dr.Namita Gupta, Co – Investigator, Assistant Professor and Chairperson (Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University, Chandigarh) titled Conscious Consumerism and Sustainable Fashion: A study of Green Practices followed by Students of Panjab University with regards to Purchase, Consumption and Disposal Pattern of Clothing. This study endeavours to create awareness among the students about the social and environmental impacts of fast fashion. It aims to motivate the students to follow sustainable practices like refashioning, repeating, repurposing and recycling of articles of clothing. The Third project has been submitted by Prof. Sonal Chawla ,Professor and Dr.Supreetkaur Mann, Asst. Prof. (DCSA, Panjab University, Chandigarh), titled Proposal for E-Rickshaw Recommender System (ERRS) Framework for Panjab University Students.The objective of the project is to design, develop and implement an efficient environment friendly ERRS for passengers that recommends stop points with vehicle finding potential. It shall also recommend optimized routes and reduce waiting time.The fourth project submitted by Dr.Prabhdip Brar, HOD (University Institute of Fashion Technology & Vocational Development, Panjab University Chandigarh)titled Proposal for a shop for- A Design outlet at Panjab University proposes, as the title suggests, to set up a shop, where the students will not only produce new products but also manage the processes by which the products are produced and sold. The fifth project from Dr Tirthankar Bhattacharya, Chairperson and Dr. Jagtej Kaur Grewal, Associate Professor (Department of Art History & Visual Arts, Panjab University, Chandigarh), titled To initiate an Art Boutique.It is proposed that a Panjab University in house memorabilia Souvenir shop should be opened at the student’s centre premises. It will showcase gift items designed specifically highlighting the heritage of the University. No GST will be included in the price. The sixth project submitted by Dr.Sunaina, Assistant Professor of Law (PU SSG RC, Hoshiarpur) is titled Social integration of transgender persons in India through the prism of legislature and judiciary: A socio-legal study with special reference to Chandigarh. Dr Sunaina raises the question that despite recognising fundamental rights of transgender persons, various legislations and a high literacy rate in Chandigarh why the transgender persons still have to face trauma in society. This research aims to bring a gradual change in the outlook of society towards the third gender community. The Seventh project is by Dr.Ritu Pradhan (Government Home Science College, Sector 10, Chandigarh). It is titled Development, Organoleptic Evaluation, Nutritional Contribution, Biochemical Estimation and Promotion of recipes using Sorghum for Celiac Disease Patients and normal healthy individuals. The aim of the present project is to evolve recipes out of Sorghum/Sorghum flour for daily consumption of celiac disease patients and to promote use of Sorghum for healthy individuals. The Eighth research proposal is by Dr.Jayanti Dutta (UGC-Human Resource Development, CenterPanjab University). The project is titled Efficacy of Quality Circles in providing support for Evidence-based Decision making and problem solving in Panjab University, Chandigarh.The QC research aims to produce more facilitation for teaching and academic activities in the university. It aims at improving and sustaining the quality and good health of the institute.The Ninth project proposal is titled Augmentation of antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential of Mentha species using abiotic stress. It is by Dr.Shikha Jain, G.H.G. Khalsa Collage, GurusarSadhar, Ludhiana. As the title suggests, it aims at augmenting the antioxidant potential of Mentha species for providing an effective low cost source of natural antioxidant for medicinal and nutraceutical purposes. This project will generate useful information regarding the quality and quantity of abiotic stress to optimize production of antioxidants. The Tenth project by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Associate Professor (Department of Physics (G.G.D.S.D. College, Hoshiarpur) is titled Natural Gum based Gel Biopolymer Electrolytes for sustainable Energy Sources. Dr. Kumar stresses that Biopolymer electrolytes have enormous potential applications in energy conversion and storage devices. It consists of natural gums which are biodegradable and eco-friendly. Hence it will be used in storage devices such as super capacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, batteries etc. The next project is proposed by Dr.SupriyaVaid and Dr.Anu Sharma of Goswami Ganesh DuttaSanatan Dharma College, Sector 32-C Chandigarh. It is titled Evaluation of anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties & identification of the phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds of some selected underutilized plants present in Chandigarh. It proposes the efficient utilization of underutilized crops like yams, millets, tropical fruits and vegetables which can serve as best sources of antioxidants, natural antibiotics and natural preservatives. The Twelfth project proposal has been submitted by Dr.Shuchi Gupta and Dr.Preetika Sharma from UIET, PU, Chandigarh. Their project is titled DFT studies on 2D materials for future technologies enabling clean and green environment. They plan to use2D materials to improve the performance of a transistor. These materials can overcome requirements that need to be met for reaching out the future market demand in technology. The next project has been submitted by Dr.Preeti Aggarwal, Assistant Professor Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering,(UIET), PU, Chandigarh. It is titled Development of Computer Vision Based Deep Learning Model for Orchid Biodiversity Assessment In Simla and Adjoining Hills. It aims to identify the orchid species collected from different natural habitats in India with precision due to automated method for recognition of orchids. This will help the government to plan better utilization of this natural resource. The next project is by Dr.Sanjeev Gautam, SSB UICET, PU, Chandigarh. It is titled Vanadium doped spinel nanoferrite as an efficient and magnetically recoverable catalyst for Oxidative degradation in wastewater. This study is based on environmental protection by the degradation of toxic waste materials/dyes which are accumulating in the environment. It aims at removal of such pollutants from water before it gets released in to the environment. The fifteenth project is by Dr.Sangeeta Pilkhwal Sah Assistant Professor (University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, PU, Chandigarh). It is titled InsilicoIdentification and pharmacological validation of IKKβ/NF-kB pathway inhibitors as novel probes for cardiometabolic syndrome and associated endothelial dysfunction.In this study IKKβ/NF-kB would be identified from chemical database based on docking and preADMET studies which will decrease the rate of failure and reduce the cost of drug recovery. This proposal aims to give fast deliverables in the form of potent molecule for cardiometabolic syndrome and related vascular complications, which can be translated into suitable dosage forms for clinical studies.

PUAA feels proud of its researchers and will continue to encourage, evaluate and fund research.