Ludhiana: Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Dr BS Dhillon released a coffee table book, “Spiritual Journey of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib”, authored by Punjab-based lawyer Harpreet Sandhu. The book has been compiled in collaboration with the Punjab Pollution Control Board and is dedicated to the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur. Dr BS Dhillon said the book depicted the journey of Guru Teg Bahadur from his birth till martyrdom through pictorial visuals of historical gurdwaras.

Session on direct-seeded rice technology

The Skill Development Centre of the university organised an online training course on direct-seeded rice technology for farmers. A total of 60 farmers and farm women attended the training course. Dr Kiranjot Sidhu, associate director (Skill Development), said the university was encouraging farmers to enhance rice cultivation area under the DSR technology, which was a water-saving as well as labour-saving technology. PAU expert Dr Amit Kaul explained the agronomic practices for the DSR technology with emphasis on field preparation, weed management, irrigation and fertilisation. Another expert Dr Rajesh Goyal demonstrated the use of machinery for the DSR technology. He said it could also be practiced using machines available at home.

Training course on ‘Role of Internet of Things’

The Skill Development Centre of the university organized a two-day online training course on the “Role of Internet of Things (IoT) in transfer of agricultural technologies” for in-service candidates. A total of 18 agriculture, horticulture and soil conservation officers, scientists from PAU and the Krishi Vigyan Kendras attended the course. Dr Kiranjot Sidhu, associate director (Skill Development), said the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated the need to produce 70 per cent more food in the world by 2050 to meet the demand of growing population. “The IoT solutions are focused on helping farmers to bridge the food supply-demand gap by ensuring higher crop yields, profitability and protection of the environment,” she added.

Lecture on navigation for PhD positions

The Department of Extension Education organised a lecture on “Navigation for PhD positions in foreign universities and setting up CVs and linkages on LinkedIn” as a part of an interactive lecture series. Kritika Gupta, a PAU alumnus with bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, was the keynote speaker for the lecture. Currently, she is a graduate assistant at the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management at University of Mississippi, US. More than 150 students participated in the lecture. Gupta shared her experience and journey while applying for PhD in foreign universities, and told students about the preparation and presentation of CVs while applying for PhD courses and updation of LinkedIn profiles to develop good links with the professionals around the world. She also briefed the participants about the dos and don’ts while requesting for various positions in reputed universities abroad.

Lecture on effective communication skills

The communication centre and Department of Extension Education of Punjab Agricultural University today jointly held a lecture on effective communication skills. The lecture was attended by the faculty of the university, and scientists from the Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres. Dr G Jaya, deputy director (HRD), National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), was the keynote speaker of the day. She said: “Communication promotes motivation, helps in socialising, alters one’s attitude and assists in controlling process.” Dr Jaya explained in detail various types of communication and also highlighted the seven Cs of communication — credibility, completeness, clarity, correctness, consistency, concreteness and conciseness. — TNS