Ludhiana, June 26
The media must work with dedication for permeation of agricultural knowledge at the grassroots.

These views were expressed by Dr M.S.Kang, vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, at a meeting with officials of Doordarshan Kendra and All- India Radio, Jalandhar.

According to Dr Kang, the agriculture of ”our times required greater attention than in the past. It was the collective responsibility of the agricultural scientists and media personnel for facilitation of the right knowledge at the right time to the right end-user. He said the close relationship enjoyed by the media and the PAU for the last four decades was often cited as an example in the other parts of the country. Shedding light on the work at PAU, Dr Kang said the research was being reoriented and reprioritised with a futuristic approach towards development of the state. In order to increase the contribution of agriculture to rural development, new varieties, methods and techniques were being evolved with a special concern for safe environment, low input costs and quality production.

Dr Kang expressed hope that PAU would serve the nation in achieving its target of 4.5 per cent agricultural growth rate as mentioned in the state government's 11th Five Year Plan. Special efforts were being made towards work in biotechnology, organic farming, farming for the urban, eco-friendly research, nutrient rich varieties, marketing research, novel means of information and extension, collaboration with other countries, etc. He revealed that a plan was being devised to study the difference in production in various areas of Punjab to further develop a suitable research programme and modes of communication.

On future activities in agricultural sciences, Dr Kang said new techniques were being innovated for judicious use of natural resources. Integrated pest management for control of pests, diseases, insects and nematodes were also under focus. Similarly, work was being done to curtail loss during harvest of fruits and vegetables, their canning and marketing. The avenues for fuel from agricultural waste were also being explored.

Dr N.S.Malhi, director of extension education, PAU, was also present on the occasion. He lauded the role of the media in making the Green Revolution a reality. But he cautioned against the new threats in agriculture. He said the Punjab farmer had always posed a deep trust in PAU as was evident from their participation in kisan melas and sale of improved seeds.The need was to further strengthening this bond, he added. The farmers could contact the experts on telephone number 1551 of the Farmers Call Centre. He informed that last year, PAU saw the sale of seeds, horticultural plants, floral plants and farm literature to the tune of Rs 7crore from its different sale centres.For the furtherance of agriculture, PAU was making consistent efforts, he concluded.

Ludhiana, June 26
The directorate of extension education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), would host a state level meeting of the farmer’s committee and the fruits and vegetable growers’ committee on July 5, 2007.

PAU vice-chancellor Dr M.S.Kang would preside over the meeting in the farmer’s service centre of the university.

Disclosing this here today, director of extension education, Dr N.S.Malhi, said farmers from all over the state would participate in this meeting. Besides, officials from Markfed, PSEB, Punjab Seed Corporation, Department of Agriculture, Punjab, Department of Horticulture, Punjab, Agri Exports Corporation, Agro Industrial Corporation, Punjab State Marketing Board, Punjab Farmers’ Commission, and Punjab Post Harvest Technology Centre would also attend this meeting.

The meeting has been specially called to deliberate upon the issues concerning future research priority in agriculture, informed Dr Malhi. Need for new extension strategies to meet farmers’ needs would also be discussed.

This state meet of farmers has great significance for the university as it will provide feedback of farmers from all over the state, which would be important for formulating future course of action, said Dr Malhi.

Meanwhile, through a notification issued by PAU registrar, Dr V.K.Sharma, four farmers from Patiala and Bhatinda districts, Jagtar Singh Sandhu (Dalanpur), Sukhdev Singh (Meeranpur), Kulwinder Singh (Mardanpur) and Iqbal Singh (Doomwali) have been nominated as members of the farmers’ committee. 

Ludhiana, June 26
Panjab University is commencing an MBA programme at its P.U. Regional Centre, Civil Lines, from the current academic session (2007-2008).

This initiative meets the long-standing demand of Ludhiana that accounts for the largest industrial base in Punjab.

This is the only MBA programme of Panjab University which is being run outside Chandigarh. Panjab University has not granted affiliation to any college to run an MBA programme before. The MBA programme will be coordinated by University Business School (UBS), which has been in the vanguard of commerce and business education for almost four decades.

The programmes offered by UBS are regularly updated to meet requirements of the industry in the tune with the dynamics of the global economic environment.

The UBS students are successfully placed in top companies and contribute richly to the growth of industry. Today, UBS alumni occupy senior positions in the industry. Prof S.K.Chadha, coordinator, MBA, PU Regional Centre, in a press statement here today said that the total student intake would be 60, out of which 24 seats would be in the reserved category, 27 seats in the open category and 9 seats in the NRI category.

The fee structure will be Rs 1.5 lakh per annum and US $ 5250 per annum for NRI (a possible increase of 2 per cent). Prof Chadha said that candidates who had taken Common Admission Test-2006 of IIMs were only eligible to apply.

The merit list would be prepared on the basis of CAT-2006 score and the marks of the group discussion and personal interview. The tentative dates would be July 5 and 6.

Ludhiana, June 26
Panjab University has granted affiliation for new courses in MSc (IT) and BCA (2nd unit) to Devki Devi Jain Memorial College for women from this year.

According to a press release, now the college has 30 seats in MSc (IT) and 80 seats in BCA.Both the courses are in huge demand and students are standing in a long queue to get the admission form for above courses.

The college has already set up its own software development and research centre to boost software excellence of the students.

Principal Vandana Maini said this research unit would provide complete industrial training and placement assistance to the students by training them in the latest software techniques.

Ludhiana June 26
Two students of lvanna Institute of Hotel Management have been selected for taking industrial training in the United States of America.

Ramneet Singh Madan and Mandeep Singh, after clearing their bachelor’s degree in hotel management, catering technology and tourism at lvanna, under Punjab Technical University, would now undertake training at a seven-star resort in Phoenix, USA, for a period of 18 months. They would also be given a handsome stipend during their training period.

Earlier too, students of the institute have been picked up by hospitality establishments from across the country. Pursuing their graduation and post graduation under the distance education scheme gives them the advantage of working along with their studies, said Manmeet Sodhia, director of the institute.

Ivanna Institute has now tied up with establishments based in the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and countries of European union to send their students for industrial training, cultural exchange on work permit and student visas.

“Students taking admission in hospitality and other hotel management courses have always been keen on going abroad to gain international experience in their career. It gives a boost to their career growth. In tying up with these associations, our motive is to give our students an opportunity suiting their skill, aptitude and interest and also to prevent them from going in wrong hands”, said Manmeet Sodhia.