PAU Ludhiana to launch new BSc programme, two certificate courses: VC

NEW DELHI: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, secured the third spot in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)’s list of agricultural institutions in 2023, the highest rank among 63 state agricultural universities (SAU). Established in 1962, PAU was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru, then prime minister, in 1963, and was the first university to win the ‘Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) Best Institution Award’ in 1995. It has been graded A+ by ICAR for five consecutive years (2019-2024).

PAU vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal spoke to Careers360 about the university’s achievements, new courses, admissions, and innovation

Q. What factors led PAU Ludhiana to secure third spot in NIRF 2023 and how do you plan to retain or improve the position?

A. There are five broad parameters on the basis of which institutions are ranked by NIRF – teaching, learning and resources; research and professional practice; graduation outcome; outreach and inclusivity; and perception. Being a teaching, research and extension-oriented institute, PAU scored well in all the parameters.

This year, a committee of senior and experienced faculty was constituted at the university level in order to improve the overall score in these parameters. Further, an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) has been established for assessment, evaluation and systematic documentation of work done at PAU.

Q. How is the functioning of PAU, an agricultural university, different from other universities offering courses in science, arts and other domains?

A. PAU is focusing on research, teaching and extension. Our university works for the farmers of the state with a focus on solving their field problems. The scientific discoveries and innovations at PAU have triggered rapid agricultural transformation in the country. PAU also has an effective mechanism to transfer knowledge, skills and technology to farmers and agricultural organisations through extension services.

Also read PAU PhD student receives Research for Impact Fellowship 2024

Q. How many self-supporting programmes are there at PAU, Ludhiana?

A. Self-supporting programmes are those which are run by the income generated through receipt of fees from the students and without any financial support from the government. The expenditure on faculty recruitment and upgrade of labs is being done with the help of these funds.

The self-supporting programmes running at PAU are – BTech Food Technology; BTech Biotechnology; BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics; BSc (Hons) Agribusiness Management and five year integrated MSc (Hons) in Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry. Microbiology, Physics, and Zoology.

Q. Has any self-supporting programme been suspended due to the number of candidates being less than 30%?

A. Yes, Master of Computer Applications (MCA). This programme was suspended from 2020-21 onwards. Now, efforts are being made to revive it on demand of students.

Q. What is the reason behind carrying out admission to all the major UG and PG programmes through the PAU entrance tests instead of national-level exams ?

A. Being a state agricultural university (SAU), PAU aims to impart knowledge and cater the needs of the stakeholders and farmers of Punjab. The university is committed to world-class higher education in agricultural sciences in order to expand quality human resources in agriculture, leading to the holistic development of the state.

Q. PAU offers admission to only Punjab and Chandigarh residents in all UG, PG, diploma, except for a few courses. How does it affect diversity of students and what are some of the measures taken by universities to improve this diversity ?

A. To have diversity of students in PAU, the percentage of ICAR quota seats (other states) has been increased to 25% in MSc and 30% in PhD from the 2023-24 academic session.

From this session onwards, PAU will offer the vacant seats on all-India basis by calling applications through online mode on the basis of merit of marks scored in Class 12, subject to eligibility.

As far as gender diversity is concerned, currently 55% to 60% students in various degree programmes at PAU are girls. Currently, the university admits 25% Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and 10% Backward Classes (BC) students in various degree programmes; hence, there is diversity in caste as well.

Also read Over a dozen universities now have a menstrual leave policy. What does it promise?

Q. When will the admission process of the 2024-25 academic session start? How will it be different from previous years?

A. The admission process for the academic year 2024-25 is likely to start in April 2024. The first semester will tentatively start from July.

In 2023-24, the semester had started in August 2023, resulting in a short summer break, thereby affecting output of students. The 2024-25 academic session is expected to start well in time.

Q. Is PAU planning to start any new course?

A.

Yes, PAU has planned to start a BSc (Hons) four-year degree programme in Fashion Designing from this academic session 2024-25.

We will also start two new certificate courses – Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and Interior Design and Decoration. Both will be of one-year duration and will be started from the 2024-25 session.

Q. What is the placement record of students in the 2023-24 session?

A. Students passing out from PAU go for job placements and pursue higher studies. A few students also join their family business or undertake their own business ventures. PAU has a placement cell at university level. Companies from diverse domains. such as agri-inputs, agri-equipment manufacturers, food processing, banking, and retailing, hire students.

Majority of UG students prefer to pursue higher studies rather than opting for jobs. In the academic session 2023-24, more than 67% PG students were placed.

Q. How is PAU implementing the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) provisions?

A. PAU has nominated coordinators at university as well as at college level for effective implementation of NEP 2020. As and when ICAR approves recommendations of the sixth Deans Committee – especially the course curriculum of UG degree programmes – PAU will implement the same in letter and spirit. PAU already has a choice-based system in the existing course work done by students.

Q. In 2023, the appointment of IAS officer Rishi Pal Singh as the registrar of PAU had created a controversy with its teacher's body saying it was against the rules prescribed in ‘The Haryana and Punjab Agricultural Universities Act, 1970’. What is your take?

A. It is a prerogative of the state government of Punjab.