PAU receives 20 cr as first installment of grant-in-aid

Times News Network

Ludhiana: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has received the first installment of Rs 20 crore from the Rs 40-crore grant-in-aid allocated by the state government for the creation of capital assets.

The grant, a first of its kind by the state government for a university, was announced in the state’s 2024-25 budget, recognising PAU’s critical role in advancing agriculture and rural development. The funds are designated specifically for creating capital assets which would fortify its research, teaching, and extension (RTE) programmes for a stronger future in agricultural innovation.

Satbir Singh Gosal, vice-chancellor of PAU, said: “This grant underscores the government’s commitment to education and the welfare of the farming community, and it comes at a time when PAU has rendered more than six decades of dedicated service to the state and the nation.”

He further added that this financial support will serve as a major catalyst for PAU’s infrastructure development, propelling the university’s RTE programmes to new highs.

The VC outlined that the amount would be strategically used to upgrade various facilities across the university. These include improvements of student amenities, research infrastructure, hostels, guest houses, residential facilities, and the modernisation of PAU’s library, auditoria, and committee rooms.

“Plans are also in place to expand high-speed fibre-optic internet service, undertake key civil and electrical works, and establish an agro-processing centre and gene bank. Additionally, state-of-the-art research equipment will be procured for the School of Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, focusing on emerging technologies critical for the future of farming”, he said.

“These initiatives are expected to significantly enhance PAU’s ability to develop climate-resilient, biofortified, and trait-specific crop varieties, contributing to a sustainable agricultural revolution,” said the VC, adding that the university remained committed to maintaining high standards of research and education.

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