Nauni (Kameshwar Sharma): Himachal Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Kavinder Gupta chaired the 17th Senate Meeting of the university on Monday. MLA and Senate members Sanjay Awasthi and Vinod Sultanpuri, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Harminder Singh Baveja, faculty members, officials, and other Senate members attended the meeting. During the Nauni University Senate Meeting session, Governor Kavinder Gupta reviewed the university’s academic, research, and extension activities. He also shared suggestions and issued directions on several important issues related to the institution’s future development.
Governor Appreciates University Achievements
The Governor praised the university for its achievements in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). He said the institution has established a distinct identity across India in horticulture, forestry, and mountain agriculture research.
Furthermore, he urged the university to continue working towards becoming one of the country’s leading agricultural and horticultural institutions through a long-term development strategy.
Focus on Modern Education and Technology
Kavinder Gupta stressed the importance of aligning academic programmes with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He also emphasized integrating modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, and Information Technology into the education system.
Additionally, he directed the university administration to complete the reconstitution process of the Board of Management within the prescribed timeframe. He also encouraged stronger partnerships with financial institutions and industry stakeholders to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for students.
Digital Knowledge Centre and New Projects Launched
On the occasion, the Governor virtually laid the foundation stone of the Nakshatra Vatika and Self-Employment Dham projects. He also inaugurated the Digital Knowledge Centre and launched several university products.
Later, he reviewed a detailed presentation highlighting the concept and objectives of the Self-Employment Dham initiative.
The Nakshatra Vatika being developed on the campus will feature 27 Nakshatra trees arranged in a circular design. The project will also include an Ayurvedic medicinal garden, meditation area, havan kund, bamboo structures, lotus water feature, sensory pathways, yoga deck, stone seating arrangements, solar-powered lighting, and drip irrigation facilities.
Nauni University Senate Meeting: Digital Access to Millions of Resources
The Governor inaugurated the modern Digital Knowledge Centre established at the Satyanand Stokes Library.
Through digital platforms such as Perlego and Magzter, students and researchers will gain access to more than 1.3 million books and over 500,000 journals, magazines, and national as well as international newspapers.
Inspection of Research and Innovation Facilities
Governor Kavinder Gupta also inspected the university’s Bakery Unit, Floral Craft Lab, UG Lab, Electron Microscopy Lab, Self-Employment Dham, and Terrarium Site.
He appreciated these innovations and stated that such facilities provide students with practical knowledge and encourage self-employment opportunities.
Support for Farmers and Sustainable Agriculture
The Governor praised the university’s efforts to ensure the availability of quality planting material, fruits, vegetables, and seeds for farmers.
Moreover, he highlighted the institution’s important role in increasing farmers’ income through modern agricultural technologies, value addition, and agricultural processing.
During his address, he emphasized excellence in education and research, technology-driven agricultural transformation, climate-resilient and sustainable farming systems, entrepreneurship development among youth, and stronger partnerships between farmers, universities, and industries.
Expressing confidence in the university’s future, he said that dedicated leadership, committed faculty members, and talented students would help the institution achieve new milestones at both national and international levels.
Governor’s Secretary Sandeep Bhardwaj, Horticulture Director Satish Sharma, Agriculture Director Ravindra Singh Jasrotia, Additional Deputy Commissioner Solan Rahul Jain, Superintendent of Police Solan T. Sai Dattatreya Verma, Senate members, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Key Points of the Nauni University Senate Meeting:
- Governor Kavinder Gupta chaired the 17th Nauni University Senate Meeting.
- He reviewed academic, research, and extension activities of the university.
- The Governor inaugurated the Digital Knowledge Centre and laid the foundation for Nakshatra Vatika and Self-Employment Dham.
- He emphasized NEP 2020 implementation, AI, data analytics, and technology-driven education.
- The Governor highlighted entrepreneurship, farmer support, and industry collaboration.
