PAU-BITS Pilani tie up to marry agri with tech
Ludhiana: Punjab Agricultural University recently tied up with BITS-Pilani for collaborative ventures in precision agriculture, data analytics, internet of things (IoT), geospatial science, and joint research and training programmes, heralding a new era of interdisciplinary excellence.
PAU vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal said, "While the university had been collaborating with other agricultural universities and institutes, it has now signed an MoU with BITS-Pilani for advancements in technology. Technology and innovation will drive the next wave of agriculture. This collaboration is expected to facilitate the integration of cutting-edge tools viz., AI, drones, IoT sensors, robotics, spectroscopy, and GIS, into various facets of agriculture.
"
He emphasised PAU's continued pursuit of partnerships that convert research into scalable, field-level solutions to benefit farmers and industry stakeholders. He said, "The next phase of development in agriculture can be driven through technology. Such technologies are also expected to reduce the use of water. For example, sensors can tell information if the optimum level of moisture has reached and it can automatically shut down water release, which would save water.
"
Citing another example, he said, "Technologies such as machine-driven sowing of paddy can bring about transformative changes. Sensors and robots can now detect yellowing of plants, indicating lack of nitrogen, enabling the spraying of it on the exact spot and in exact measure, preventing excessive use. This will also save cost and increase yield."
Ajmer Singh Dhatt, director of research (PAU), spoke about the university's leading role in agricultural innovation. He cited its monumental contributions to crop breeding, nutrient and water use efficiency, conservation agriculture, and its pivotal role in the Green Revolution. This strategic tie-up would infuse PAU's research ecosystem with the latest technological insights, he said.
Manjeet Singh, dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, said, "The agreement aims to build long-term institutional synergies to address the emerging challenges in agriculture in India."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: ‘Time for India's 16K agri scientists to step into fields'
The Union minister for agriculture and farmers welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Thursday, urged India's 16,000 agricultural scientists to step out of laboratories and into fields, identifying real-world issues that merit research. The Union minister was the chief guest in a special ceremony organised at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAUs) Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Rauni village. The event was organised under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, an initiative of the government of India, coinciding with World Environment Day. During the event, Chouhan hailed PAU's direct sowing tech as game-changer for natural resources. The Union minister was accompanied by Punjab agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and PAU VC Satbir Singh Gosal. The event aimed to bridge agriculture policies and innovations with the farming community, creating awareness of new technologies and government schemes. Chouhan expressed a deep emotional connection with Punjab, saluting its fertile land and hailing its farmers as the nation's food providers. He commended PAU's direct seeding technology for paddy as a 'Sanjeevani' (life-giving boon) for conserving natural resources, especially groundwater. Punjab agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian described the event as a historic turning point for Indian agriculture, emphasising the wisdom inherent in farmers' practices and the need to learn from their environmental stewardship. He drew attention to Punjab's pivotal role in India's independence, food security, and defence, urging the Union minister to prioritise Punjab's agricultural concerns, particularly around stubble management and shifting the wheat-paddy cropping cycle. PAU vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal described the Abhiyan as a key step in agricultural development, expressing commitment to delivering PAU and GADVASU innovations directly to villages. He invited farmers to share challenges and feedback to align research with ground realities.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
PU V-C proposes drone tech centre at campus
In a push towards inter-university collaboration and academic innovation, vice-chancellors from various public universities of Punjab participated in a high-level meeting at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana on Wednesday. Organised as part of a series of interactions initiated by the Punjab Governor, Gulab Chand Kataria, under the group coordinatorship of Panjab University vice chancellor Renu Vig, the meeting focused on enhancing academic cooperation, effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and tackling shared challenges in higher education across the state. Vig proposed joint efforts to establish a drone technology centre at PU. She stressed that using the drone tech centre at PU, and the agricultural knowledge base of PAU, GADVASU, a model village can be established for implementation of best technologies in the field of agriculture. She commended the governor's initiative in fostering academic convergence and emphasised PU's commitment to interdisciplinary innovation, highlighting its collaboration with IIT Ropar, which is recognised as a centre of excellence in artificial intelligence for agriculture. Vig also visited the Panjab University Regional Centre, Ludhiana, where she engaged in a session with alumni and leading industrialists of the Ludhiana region to discuss collaborative strategies for academic upliftment and student development. The interactive dialogue featured senior industry leaders including Onkar Singh Pahwa (Avon Cycles), SS Bhogal (Bhogal Sales Corporation) and Komal Jain (Duke Fashions) among others. She also met SP Oswal, chairman, Vardhman Group, to thank him for the ₹1 crore grant to SAIF PU and assured that PU would further the interests of industries in the region.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business Standard
Economics: The new frontier in India's leading technical institutes
In the hallowed halls of India's premier technical institutions, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Once considered a secondary subject to engineering and technology, economics has steadily climbed the ranks, carving out a prominent place at institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), and the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs). The discipline—traditionally seen as theoretical—has evolved into a dynamic and essential field that complements and enhances the technical education these institutions offer. As a result, economics is no longer relegated to the sidelines of engineering education; it is now demanding centre stage. The annual IIT Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), one of the most competitive academic exams in India, is just around the corner. Following the exam, students will participate in counselling sessions to select their preferred branches of study. In the past, fields like mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering dominated these preference lists. However, in recent years, a surprising trend has emerged: economics is increasingly being chosen as a preferred discipline, often outpacing some of the more traditional engineering fields (see figure below for opening and closing rank for different programmes in IIT Kanpur for year 2024). This shift has prompted both parents and students to reconsider their views on the discipline and its potential. So, what is driving this shift? The answer lies in the transformation of economics itself. India has traditionally approached economics in a qualitative manner, emphasising theoretical concepts and broad social insights. However, modern economics has become increasingly quantitative, leveraging data analysis and statistical tools to solve real-world problems. This shift to quantitative methods has made economics a highly applicable field, particularly in sectors like data science, public policy, and finance. At leading institutions like IITs and BITS, economics programmes have evolved to focus on the application of analytical frameworks and quantitative methods. This focus on quantitative economics is what gives technical institutions like IITs and IISERs a distinct comparative advantage. These institutes are well-suited to deliver a modern curriculum, as they are already equipped with the technical infrastructure and expertise to teach complex mathematical models, data analysis, and econometrics effectively. This shift has made economics not only relevant but also indispensable in a world that increasingly requires cross-disciplinary expertise. For many students, economics offers more than just a theoretical understanding of markets and economies. It provides them with a broad set of analytical and quantitative skills that are highly transferable across industries. These skills are particularly valuable in a job market where flexibility and adaptability are prized. Students who opt for economics over traditional engineering disciplines are often motivated by the wide range of career pathways the subject offers. From data science to public policy, from finance to artificial intelligence, the versatility of economics creates opportunities across multiple sectors, making it a compelling choice for ambitious students. This growing appeal of economics is part of a broader trend. As industries and technologies evolve, the challenges of tomorrow will demand not only technical know-how but also an understanding of human behaviour, market dynamics, and policy implications. Take, for example, the way companies like Uber and Amazon have disrupted traditional industries. While technical innovations played a major role in these transformations, it was economists who helped provide the analytical frameworks that guided them. Microeconomics helps decode complex business models; econometrics teaches evidence-based decision-making; and macroeconomics links local economic trends to global developments. The rise of economics in India's top technical institutes also coincides with the government's push for reforms in education. India's National Education Policy 2020 emphasises critical thinking, interdisciplinary approaches, and the integration of diverse fields of knowledge—qualities where economics naturally excels. Unlike more specialised technical disciplines, economics bridges the gap between hard data and human behaviour. It draws from history to understand economic systems, from psychology to explain consumer behaviour, and from computer science to analyse vast datasets. In response to the growing demand for economics education, many institutions have begun to invest in cutting-edge research facilities and industry partnerships. By incorporating real-world data and engaging with policymakers, these institutions aim to provide students with hands-on experience that reflects the complexities of the modern economy. At IITs and BITS, this has resulted in the development of specialised programmes that combine technical and economic expertise, equipping students to address challenges like technological disruptions, global trade dynamics, and resource management. However, despite its rising prominence, the journey of integrating economics into technical education is not without its challenges. One of the primary hurdles is the difficulty of simulating real-world economic scenarios in a classroom setting. Traditional lecture formats, which dominate much of technical education, often struggle to provide the kind of experiential learning that students need to understand the intricacies of economics. To bridge this gap, universities are increasingly looking towards collaborations with industry leaders and policymakers, giving students opportunities to work on practical, real-world problems. Moreover, the curriculum itself must constantly evolve to incorporate emerging fields like behavioural economics, digital finance, and the application of artificial intelligence to economic models. This is an area where technology institutes have a distinct advantage. Their ability to rapidly adapt and introduce new courses and specialisations ensures that students are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills, keeping them competitive in the job market. Despite these challenges, the trajectory for economics in India's top technical institutions is clear. As the country positions itself in the global knowledge economy, economics has shifted from being a complementary subject to an essential pillar of technical education. For students weighing their options after the JEE, choosing economics is no longer just about securing a degree in an abstract subject. It represents a new way of thinking—one that combines technical solutions with a deep understanding of human behaviour, market dynamics, and the broader socio-economic forces that shape the world. Economic knowledge is essential to understanding and shaping our world in this new era. With India's top technical institutions hosting its brightest minds, the future of economics appears more promising than ever. Bikramaditya Datta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economic Sciences at IIT Kanpur and specialises in finance related research. Vimal Kumar is a Professor in the Department of Economic Sciences and Wadhwani School of Advanced AI & Intelligent Systems at IIT Kanpur and does research related to digital economy.
