Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Former PAU VC Dr. BS Dhillon conferred with doctorate degree
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana, May 17, 2024: An Internationally acclaimed agricultural scientist, Padma Shri Dr Baldev SinghDhillon, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been conferred with the honorary degree of Doctorate of Science by the Rajasthan Governor KalrajMishra during the sixth convocation ceremony of Sri Karan Narendra AgriculturalUniversity, Jobner on Wednesday.
A reservoir of agricultural spirit, Dr Dhillon has made massive contributions to the field of agriculture with his progressive outlook and intellectual integrity.
A world famous scientist in the field of Plant Breeding And Genetic Resources, Dr Dhillon has served PAU as Director of Research,Director (Seeds) and Maize Breeder; Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) as Assistant Director General and Director, ICAR-National Bureau ofPlant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi; and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, as Director of Research. Prior to holding the reigns of PAU as VC, he served the University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany and International Maizeand Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Mexico, as AssociateScientist.
Asa maize breeder, Dr Dhillon made remarkable contribution by developing 16 varieties/hybrids including ‘Paras,’ the first single cross hybrid inIndia (1995); new methods of plant breeding and techniques of quantitative genetic analysis included in the textbooks; and in the emergence of spring maize as an important crop in North-Western India.
Under his able stewardship as Vice-Chancellor since 2011, PAU made outstanding research contributions for agricultural sustainability with thrust on making rational use of natural resources, integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, integration of food technology with processing and nutrition, plant biotechnology with field and horticultural crops improvement, and cultivation of new crops and protected cultivation of vegetables.
Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Registrar Mr Rishi Pal Singh, other senior officials, faculty, students and staff congratulated Dr Dhillon for this rare honour.