PAU bids farewell to Dr Satbir Singh Gosal after as his four-year tenure as Vice Chancellor ends
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana (Punjab), August 18, 2026: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, bid farewell to Vice Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal as his four-year tenure came to an end on August 18, with officers, faculty members, employees and his personal office team expressing appreciation for his leadership and contribution to the university.
A series of farewell meetings were held with university officers, representatives of the faculty, non-teaching and Class IV employees, and members of the Vice Chancellor’s personal office. The interactions reflected appreciation for Dr Gosal’s accessibility, leadership and emphasis on academic advancement, research, infrastructure development and farmer outreach.
Dr Gosal, who assumed charge as Vice Chancellor on August 19, 2022, thanked the university community for its cooperation and support throughout his tenure. He said the progress achieved during the past four years was the result of collective efforts by officers, teachers, scientists, non-teaching employees, supporting staff and his personal office team.
An accomplished agricultural biotechnologist, Dr Gosal completed his B.Sc. from Panjab University, Chandigarh, followed by an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from PAU. He undertook postdoctoral research at the University of Nottingham and John Innes Centre, Norwich, and received advanced training in biosafety of genetically modified crops in the United States.
Before becoming Vice Chancellor, he held several senior positions at PAU, including Director of Research, Additional Director Research, Founder Director of the School of Agricultural Biotechnology and Head of the Department of Biotechnology.
During his tenure, PAU retained its top position among 75 agricultural universities in the country in the NIRF rankings in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The university also entered the list of the world’s top 100 agricultural universities and received the Academic Leadership Award 2026 at the 17th Agriculture Leadership Conclave. PAU was also accredited with an A+ grade by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
The university strengthened its research and infrastructure capabilities during the period. A special capital grant of ₹30 crore annually was secured from the Punjab Government for upgrading infrastructure and research facilities. The funding supported laboratories, hostels, the university library, agricultural machinery, seed farms, the Gene Bank and other facilities.
PAU also established a Speed Breeding Facility, Technology Park and Pilot Training Centre for Drones, while introducing and demonstrating technologies including auto-steering tractors, remote-controlled paddy transplanters, drones and sensor-based irrigation.
The university recommended 65 new crop varieties and hybrids for Punjab during the tenure. Wheat varieties PBW 826 and PBW 872 were recognised by ICAR among the country’s leading wheat varieties. Seed production of recommended varieties increased from 45,000 quintals in 2022-23 to 72,000 quintals in 2024-25.
The tenure also saw an expansion of PAU’s national and international collaborations, including partnerships with institutions in the United States, Canada and Argentina. The university organised Sarkar-Kisan Milnis and brought NRI progressive farmers together with farmers from Punjab.
Farmer outreach was expanded through digital platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and e-Kheti Sandesh. New alumni centres, a Media Centre and a daily agricultural broadcast linkage with All India Radio, Ludhiana, were also developed.
During the four years, around 442 permanent employees were appointed, while 23 Honorary Visiting Professors from India and abroad were associated with the university.
The university fraternity, during the farewell meetings, acknowledged Dr Gosal’s contribution to strengthening PAU’s academic and research profile, infrastructure, farmer engagement and institutional development.
As Dr Gosal’s tenure concludes, PAU has credited his four years in office with leaving a significant imprint on the university’s academic standing, research ecosystem, infrastructure and engagement with farmers and society.