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Generating funds through courses
IIM students should opt for politics: Kalam
PU News
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Generating funds through courses
THERE is a scope to diversify and expand agricultural educational programmes at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. The university is well equipped with expert faculties in all disciplines which are present in the four on-campus colleges. New undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to address the need of the multifunctional agricultural should be initiated. They shoud be self-financed and could generate income. This recommendation has been made by a committee constituted by the Board of Management of PAU to study and suggest ways for raising the resources of the university to meet the present financial crisis.
According to Vice-Chancellor Manjit Singh Kang, the report of the committee will be presented at the next meeting of the BOM and the state government is also being pressed to enhance the grant for the university to tide over the financial problems. S. K. Mann, Dean, Postgraduate Studies of the university, says the university has developed seven self-financed degree programmes for the session 2008-09, of which two are undergraduate, one master and four integrated programmes. There is tremendous response for these programmes which generated income to the tune of about Rs 8 lakh in 2008-09. She says there is scope for developing additional programmes of this type in food technology, home science disciplines, business management, precision agricultural applications of nano technology and Internet-based communication technologies (ICT) in agriculture. In addition, a human resource cell can be established and paid executive training programmes for various levels can also be formulated. Mann says these activities require some initial funding to meet infrastructure and manpower requirements to establish such programmes. The committee has also suggested to explore the possibility of having two-tier fee structure or increasing fee for regular courses. The Dean, College of Agriculture Engineering, has suggested that the fee for regular B.Tech programme can be enhanced to Rs 15,000 per semester as students have versatile avenues for placement. The committee has recommended that now there is entrepreneurship-based commercialised agriculture which has ample scope for PAU to extend the partnership with the industry in PP mode, as government, university and industry interface for research and development efforts in the field of agricultural and allied sciences, standardisation of the processes having commercial protocols, bio-pesticides, post-harvest and processing technologies, farm machine, software and Internet application technologies. The committee was of the view that research and development generated IPR (Intellectual property Rights) was an important source of income and PPP can be for the house research, continued personnel mobility, allowing informal and formal interaction with the industry and new format for consultancy services of university for dissemination of explicit or tacit knowledge, identification of the adoption capability by ensuring pricing of the flow of knowledge from the university for commercial purposes. A coordinated unit at the university level can systematically ensure generation from this endeavour for PAU. At present, seeds, seedlings and planting material are sold by the university taking all the commercial activities by itself. It was agreed by the committee that to generate additional resources, the university needed to develop a comprehensive system of licensing of various technologies, including the licensing of plant varieties by involving private sector organisations. The committee has recommended the establishment of an “Agri-food Mall” where farmers could sell their produce, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, directly to consumers. This will act as a model to be replicated in other big cities, and cooperative agencies like Markfed could be involved in executing the project and a constant stream of income could be assured. The committee has emphasised that crucial structural changes are required in the university set-up to facilitate income-generating activities on substantial and sustained basis, and it is important that all activities are managed professionally. To ensure that private partnership revenues for income generation are fully utilised by PAU, a set-up for the coordination and appraisal for commercialisation of technology, business and trade services (TBTS) in line with the directorate of extension education needs to be developed to engage the private industry and trade dealing in agribusiness in dialogue for partnership. The committee has also recommended the setting up of Trade Advisory Council. The committee has pressed upon the Punjab government to set up a corpus fund for PAU and further urged it to levy some cess on agricultural produce which can be provided as fund to the university on a regular basis for agricultural research, education and extension. The expert committee headed by Dr S. S. Johl, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, has already recommended the levy of 50 paise cess per Rs 100 against the sale of farmers’ produce to help the university in meeting the financial crisis. The Punjab government has already accepted the report and agreed to levy the cess on Kharif crop (2008), but the same has not been done so far. The Vice-Chancellor has again written to the state government to implement the decision at the earliest to enable the university to meet its commitments of pension and other contingencies. This cess would fetch Rs 150 crore per annum.
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IIM students should opt for politics: Kalam
The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, must motivate its students to opt for politics as a career, said former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
"IIM, Ahmedabad, should ensure that many of its students take politics as their career. When I ask youth whether they want to become IAS officers, many raise their hands, whether they want to become engineers, many raise their hands, if they want to go to Mars, all of them raise their hands. If I ask someone whether they want to join politics, then no one is interested," Kalam said here in a speech Saturday evening. In his speech on 'Nation, Challenges and Leadership' at the IIM(A) campus, Kalam said youth alone can bring transparency, prosperity and leadership in the Indian polity. Citing an example of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Kalam said what makes ISRO's space efforts excel is its dedicated team of scientists, engineers and technical staff. He said a few areas where India has it core competence for integrated action include agriculture and food processing; education and healthcare; information and communication technology; infrastructure; reliable and quality electric power, road and surface transport and necessary quality infrastructure and PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) for sustainable rural infrastructure development. "These areas are closely inter-related and have to be progressed in a coordinated way to lead to food, economic and national security," Kalam said. —Indo-Asian News Service
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PU News
PANJAB University is scheduled to host the prestigious 78th annual session and symposium on “Novel Approaches for Biomedical Research” from November 21 to 23. The aim of the session is to promote biomedical research in Panjab University in collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI).
Interestingly, 14 years ago the 64th session of the academy was held at Panjab University in 1994. NASI was founded way back in 1930 with the idea of establishing a forum for scientists, which would help them in publishing their researches and bring them together to discuss and find scientific solutions to the problems of the country. Prof Meghnad Saha, a great scientist, patriot and then Professor of Physics at Allahabad University, had mooted the proposal in 1929. Since then the academy has regularly been holding annual sessions at different centres of scientific and academic activities. “The world is now witnessing a rapid change in the way biomedical research is being conducted. Rapid advances in science and technology have brought in new technologies to understand the disease process and find strategies for prevention and cure. There are areas at the cutting edge of science such as molecular medicine, genomics, immunology, which have revolutionised knowledge for finding rapid diagnostics, vaccines, new drug targets and other therapeutic measures. There is an urgent need that researchers working in the core health sectors like diagnostics, epidemiology, surveillance and cure are exposed to the latest advancements in knowledge and interact with international scientists in their respective fields of work,” says Prof R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, and chief patron of NASI. Prof Sobti has formed an organising committee to take care of various aspects of the three-day symposium. The committee includes Dr V.K. Anand, librarian of the university, along with Professor K.P. Singh, Department of Geology, and conveners of the committee, Professor Naval Kishore, Department of Geology, Neelam Sharma, A.C. Joshi Library, Professor R.K. Kohli, Department of Botany, Dr V.K. Walia, Department of Zoology, Professor A.K. Saihjpal, UIAMS, Professor R.K. Gupta, Advisor (Finance), Professor M.K. Teja, Department of Sociology, Professor M.M. Gupta, Department of Physics, Navjeet Kaur, A.C. Joshi Library, Professor K K Bhasin, Department of Chemistry, Professor R.K. Singla, Department of Computer Science and Applications, Professor Meera Malik, Centre for Women Studies, and Dr Tankeshwar Kumar, Computer Centre. The symposium would be divided into various technical sessions where scientists and delegates from across the world would deliberate over the theme.
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Campus Notes
Dr H.D.Yadav and Dr M.K. Garg have been appointed Director of Extension Education and Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, respectively. These appointments had been recommended by the Board of Management (BOM) of HAU at its recent meeting. Besides, the board has also approved the promotion of nine Associate Professors and equivalents to the post of Professor and equivalent under the Career Advancement Scheme. They include Lakhi Ram, Sultan Singh, Lakshvir Singh, Suleman Mohammad, Bimhendra Kumari, Jagat Bir Phogat, Sunder Dass, Urmil Verma and Darshan Punia.
The board has allowed the university to fill vacant posts of teachers in various departments under the backlog quota of SC category. In addition, it has permitted provision of 10 per cent of the income generated by the university to replenish the Employees Welfare Fund, which has been depleting due to ban on fresh appointments and retirement of employees over the years. Guru Jambheshwar University of
Science & Technology, Hisar A two-day national seminar on 'Food Safety and Quality' was organised at GJU. Inaugurating the seminar, Dr Kuldeep Singh Dhindsa, Director-General of Chaudhry Devi Lal Vidyapeeth, Sirsa, called for regulation of street food vending to ensure proper quality. Dr Dhindsa said street food was an integral part of any society and India was no exception. Street food was an inexpensive and convenient option for a large number of people. It was also, in turn, a large source of employment generation whose major beneficiaries were largely women. However, this sector was completely, unregulated. It was, therefore, necessary that this sector be regulated to ensure that this cheap food option remained available but with proper quality control. He appealed to policy makers to launch an intensive product quality literacy mission to educate the masses about the quality of food they consumed. Only then we could ensure better health for the public, which would ultimately lead to a healthier nation. Dr Dhindsa said the international food market was highly competitive not only in monetary terms but also in terms of food quality and safety. If India wanted to capture a portion of this huge market, the country's food industry had to conform to international food safety certification standards. Vice-Chancellor D.D.S. Sandhu said India had the potential to become world's largest food factory. India now ranked number one in the world in terms of milk, fruits and vegetable production and occupied the second spot in the world in terms of wheat production. The seminar was attended by more than 250 delegates from various universities and food industry representatives. — Contributed by Raman Mohan
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Armed Forces
Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi 110069 National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2009 Eligibility: Unmarried males. For Air Force, Naval Wing of NDA & 10+2 (Executive Branch) Course at Naval Academy: 10+2 (Physics / Maths) DoB: 02 January 1991 – 01 July 1993 Examination: 19 April 2009 Application
Form: Available at designated Head PO’s / PO Rs 20/- (Cash) Details: Employment News (18 - 24 October 2008) / Website. Application
Deadline: 17 November 2008 Indian Navy, PO Bag No 04, R K Puram (Main), New Delhi 110066 SSC Technical Branch (Submarine Cadre) – July 2009 Course Eligibility: Unmarried Indian males; BE / BTech (55%): Engg Branch: Mechanical / Electrical Branch: Electrical / Electronics / Telecommunications / Control Engg; Selection: SSB Interviews; GD; Medical Exam Application
Form: Send application by ordinary post in prescribed format with 2 self- addressed envelopes to the above address / Download from website. Details: Website Application
Deadline: 03 November 2008 Indian Navy, Post Bag No 04, Nirman Bhawan PO, New Delhi 110011 SSC Officer in Technical Branch (General Service) – July ’09 Course Eligibility: Unmarried Indian males; BE / BTech (55%). Selection: SSB Interview; Medical Exam Application
Form: Send by ordinary post in prescribed format with all required documents to the above address. Superscribe “SSC Engineering / Electrical Branch – July 09 course” on the envelope / Download from website. Details: Website. Application
Deadline: 15 November 2008 Engineering IIT – Guwahati, Guwahati 781039 (Assam) www.iitg.ernet.in/acad PhD: Application
Form: Send request for application with a stamped self-addressed envelope (24 cm x 15 cm) to the Deputy Registrar (Academic) at the above address by 07 November 2008. Superscribe “Request for PhD Application Form” on envelope. Details: Website. Application
Deadline: 14 November 2008 IT Centre for Information Technology, MSME-DI Extension Centre, Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110001 (GoI) Computer Training Courses (Various short-term) Eligibility: Selection: First-come-first-serve basis Details: Website Management Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 560076
(Kar) www.iimb.ernet.in PG Programme in Public Policy & Mgmt (2 years; Full Time). Eligibility: Bachelors degree with 7 years work-ex; Officers of the All India Services & Central Services . Details: Website. Application
Deadline: 30 December 2008 Institute of Technology & Management (ITM) Business School, 25/ 26, Institutional Area, Sector 4, Kharghar (E), Navi Mumbai 410210 (Mah) PG Diploma in Management (2-year, Full Time) Eligibility: Graduates (50%) with CAT / XAT / GMAT scores. Selection: GD / Interview Application
Form: Send Rs 200/- by DD favouring “Institute for Technology & Management” payable at Mumbai at the above address / Download from website. Application
Deadline: 30 December 2008 Panjab University, University Business School, Chandigarh 160014 (Punj) MBA / MBA (IB / HR) Eligibility: Selection: CAT-2008 scores; GD & Interview. Application
Form: Send Rs 1075/- by crossed DD favouring “Registrar, Punjab University, Chandigarh,” payable at Chandigarh with self-addressed envelope (30 cm x 25 cm), to the Chairman at the above address by 31 October ‘08 / Download from website. Application
Deadline: 15 November 2008 Indian Society for Training & Development (ISTD), Training House, B 41, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016 (M/o HRD, GoI) Diploma in Training & Development (18-month, Distance Learning) Eligibility: Bachelors degree + 2 years work-ex / PG Degree / Diploma (any discipline). Application
Form: Send Rs 300/- by MO/DD favouring “ISTD (Diploma Programme)”, payable at New Delhi at the above address / Download from website Application
Deadline: 30 November 2008 KIIT University, Koel Campus, Bhubaneswar 751024 (Oris) (Deemed University) 1) MBA (2 years) Eligibility: Bachelors degree (50%) Application
Form: Download from website. Application Deadline: 24 November 2008 Symbiosis Institute of International Business, Symbiosis Infotech Campus, Plot No 15, Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Phase I MIDC, Hinjewadi, Pune 411057 (Mah) 1) MBA (International Business (2 years) Eligibility: Selection: SNAP Test-2008: 21 December ‘08 Application
Form: Send Rs 1300/- by crossed DD drawn on any nationalized bank, favouring “Director, Symbiosis Institute of International Business,” payable at Pune at the above address / Download from website. Deadline: (Not specified) Scholarships University Grants Commission (UGC), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002 Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowships 2009 (6 months) Eligibility: Permanent Indian faculty members with Doctorate degree working in recognized Universities / Institutions / Colleges for at least 5 years. Application
Form: Apply in prescribed format. Should be nominated by Vice-Chancellor / Head of Institution / and send to Section Officer (IC-II), Room No 505 at the above address/Download from website Application
Deadline: 31 October 2008 University Grants Commission (UGC), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002 Commonwealth Split-Site Doctoral Scholarship (1 year) Eligibility: Indian citizens with a 1st degree (Hons) higher 2nd Div / higher qualification / PG by 01 October 2009. Application
Form: Apply in prescribed format. Should be nominated by Vice-Chancellor / Executive Head of Institution and send to Section Officer (IC-II), Room No 505 at the above address / Download from website Application
Deadline: 31 October 2008 Asian Development Bank, East-West Center, Award Services Office, John A Burns Hall, Room 2066, 1601 East-West Road Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1601, USA The Asian Development Bank - Govt of Japan Scholarship Program (2 years) For PG & Doctoral studies in institutions in the Asia-Pacific region including University of Hawaii at Manoa Areas of
study: Economics / Mgmt / Science & Technology/ other Development fields Eligibility: Bachelors degree (4 years); For PhD: US Masters degree/ equiv; English Communication skills; minimum 2 years work-ex. Scholarship: Tuition fees, monthly subsistence and housing allowance, books allowance, medical insurance, travel expenses Application Form &
Details: Website Application Deadline: 01 November 2008 Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur PO, Bangalore 560064 (Kar) (Deemed University) Summer Research Fellowships 2009 Fellowship: Travel assistance and stipend of Rs 5,000/- pm (2 months). Application Form: Send written request with a stamped (Rs 10/-) self-addressed envelope (16 cm x 25 cm) to the Assistant Coordinator at the above address by 24 November 2008 / Download from the website. Application
Deadline: 16 December 2008 Sciences Physical Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur PO, Bangalore 560064
(Kar) www.jncasr.ac.in/admit 1) PhD Eligibility: MSc / BE / B Tech / ME / MTech / MBBS (50%) with GATE / UGC CSIR-NET / JRF / ICMR / / JEST scores Application Deadline: 28 November 2008 Travel & Transportation Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), School of Engineering & Technology, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068
www.ignou.ac.in 1) BSc in Nautical Science Eligibility: For 2: A) Class 10 (55%) / Class 10 with ITI certificate / 10 pass with Certificate in Motorcycle Service & Repair of IGNOU & B):working in manufacturing industry Selection: For 1: Entrance Test: 30 November 2008; Eyesight: 6/6 in each eye without visual aids, Medical fitness (as prescribed) Application
Form: Download from website Application Deadline: University University of Allahabad, Allahabad (UP) www.aucret.com Common Research Entrance Test
2008: Test: 30 November 2008 Details: Website Application
Deadline: 08 November 2008 Pervin Malhotra, Director, Career Guidance India (CARING) (www.careerguidanceindia.com)
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