Dr Harvinder Singh Dhaliwal Assumes Charge as PAU’s 12th Vice-Chancellor

LUDHIANA: Eminent agricultural scientist and distinguished horticulturist Dr Harvinder Singh Dhaliwal has assumed charge as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Born on May 1, 1962, in the rural area of Mansa district, Dr Dhaliwal brings nearly 31 years of experience in agricultural science, with specialisation in horticulture and fruit science, a field considered crucial for diversifying Punjab’s agricultural economy. His outstanding academic record includes a Gold Medal, Merit Certificate, Merit Scholarship and fellowships during his studies. He also gained international research experience at the University of Florida, where he worked on citrus improvement. Dr Dhaliwal has extensive administrative experience across PAU’s three key areas of teaching, research and extension. He served as Dean, College of Agriculture, from 2013 to 2017, Additional Director Research (Horticulture) and Director Extension Education. His contributions to fruit science include 28 recommendations incorporated into PAU’s Package of Practices, covering two new crops—banana and aonla—and 11 fruit varieties, including the low-seeded PAU Kinnow-1. He has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator of six research projects and encouraged faculty members to submit 16 competitive research grant proposals, seven of which received approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC). His academic contributions include 189 publications, among them 81 research papers published in reputed national and international refereed journals. He also established a state-of-the-art Leaf Analysis Laboratory and a nationally accredited virus-free nursery at PAU. As Director Extension Education, Dr Dhaliwal played a significant role in strengthening the university’s engagement with farmers. His tenure involved organising 11 Kisan Melas, three Kisan Divas, six workshops, 155 field days, 69 adaptive research trials, 780 training camps and 278 vocational training programmes. His rural upbringing in Mansa district has helped him maintain a close connection with farmers and rural communities. In recognition of his contributions to agricultural science and horticulture, Dr Dhaliwal has received several prestigious honours, including the Punjab Sarkar Praman Patra in 2013 for exemplary service in science and technology, the Fellowship of the Horticultural Society in 2015, the Hans Raj Pahwa Award for 2012–13 for commendable research, teaching and extension work, and the Smt. Harpal Kaur Memorial Award in 2011 for his contribution to fruit science. After assuming office, Dr Dhaliwal called upon PAU scientists, teachers, researchers and non-teaching staff to work collectively to strengthen the University's legacy of scientific excellence and improve farmers’ livelihoods. He emphasised purposeful research, collaboration and renewed commitment to addressing emerging agricultural challenges. PAU officers, faculty members and representatives of employees’ organisations welcomed the new Vice-Chancellor and wished him success in his tenure.