Research helps PAU get 3rd spot in agri sector

Paraspreet Singh
Ludhiana: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) secured third rank in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) under the agricultural and allied sector institutes category and 54th rank in the overall category thanks to its teaching and learning resources and research and professional practice. Besides teaching and learning resources and research and professional practic, graduation outcome, outreach and inclusivity and perception are the five parameters on which institutions are ranked. PAU has scored in the teaching and learning resources section.

With an overall score of 65.98, the premier varsity -- which is seen as the harbinger of the Green Revolution in Punjab -- tops the charts when compared with 62 other state agricultural universities. Authorities said that the university has 780 professors and is working on more than 500 projects. The previous year, PAU got four patents registered, they added. The university is currently working on setting up a plant breeding facility, development of climate resilient crops, gene editing of seeds, water saving techniques, crop diversification across the state and handling reduction of crop cycle etc. Apart from 2,500 students enrolled in various undergraduate courses, the varsity has around 1,100 students on its rolls in postgraduate courses. The university offers more than 85 undergraduate (UG) courses and postgraduate (PG) courses. PAU vice-chancellor Dr S S Gosal said, “Being a farmer-friendly institution, we are low on numbers of patents registered but in actuality, our university has always developed new varieties of seeds. We have always tried to solve problems of farmers not just across the state but across the nation. This year, as per the instruction given by the state government, we are working on the first agricultural policy of Punjab, which will cover major problems and vision of the state towards farmers, which will be released soon.”
Dr P K Chhuneja, dean, PG studies said, “The recognition validates PAU's commitment to provide good education.”