The Alumni Association of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organized its grand annual alumni meet in which approximately 250 alumni, residing in various corners of India and abroad, participated alongwith with their families. Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, inaugurated the grand event. Former Deans of the College, Dr SD Khepar, Dr SK Sondhi, Dr PK Gupta, Prof VK Sehgal, Dr Jaskarn Singh Mahal, Dr Ashok Kumar and Dr HS Sidhu also graced this grand occasion. Besides, Prof Manjeet Singh Chinnan, Prof of Emeritus, University of Georgia, USA and Visiting Professor PAU alongwith his Diamond Jubilee batch mates, attended the alumni meet. Former presidents of the Alumni Association were among the distinguished guests present on the occasion. Alumni from batch L-1965 and L-1975 attended the meet in good numbers to celebrate their diamond and golden jubilees, respectively.
The main attraction of the Diamond Jubilee Alumni was the homecoming of the special Diamond Jubilee Baton. This baton, released during Moments 2024, was carried by the alumni across the countries like United States, Canada, Australia, and to many corners of India. Later the Diamond Jubilee Alumni Directory- ALMANAC 2025 and Alumni Newsletter ‘The Agrineer’ were released.
Dr Gosal lauded the achievements and contributions of the alumni from the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, underscoring their pivotal role in shaping the institution’s reputation and success. He remarked that the alumni served as the University’s most valuable ambassadors, carrying forward its legacy of innovation, integrity, and academic excellence into diverse sectors. He encouraged the alumni to remain closely connected with the institution, contribute their expertise, and actively participate in initiatives, aimed at promoting sustainability, and technological advancement for the benefit of farmers and society at large.
The Chief Patron of the Alumni Association and Dean COAET, Dr Manjeet Singh, extended heartfelt congratulations to the alumni for their immense contributions and professional excellence in the field of agricultural engineering within India and abroad. Established in 1964, the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology has produced approximately 2,900 agrineers who have excelled as academicians, researchers, administrators, and entrepreneurs across diverse fields, he added. Further, he shared that the College has taken many new initiatives during the last year which included launch of a new School of Digital Innovations for Smart Agriculture (S-DISA), and that it was leading in the integration of cutting-edge tools viz., AI, drones, IoT sensors, robotics and GIS, into every facet of agriculture. The College has also established a Ministry-approved Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) to train rural youth in UAV operations, he informed. Recently an Agro-processing Complex including a jaggery processing unit has also been established to showcase on-farm processing and packaging of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, jaggery, he added.
Dr Preetinder Kaur, President of Alumni Association, welcomed the esteemed gathering and shared that the Association has gained remarkable momentum through the collective and wholehearted participation of the alumni. She also highlighted that the Association has recently started AA – MS Chinnan Travel grant for students and faculty and Sukhdeep Singh-Jasjeet Kaur Academic Improvement Award for students with generous support of alumni.
Vibrant fun and cultural extravaganza was conducted by Dr Gurnaz Singh Gill along with Dr Preeti Birwal and Dr Maninder Kaur. The alumni also participated in the photo booth session, fun activities and ‘University Geri on tractor-trolley’ with full excitement and vigour.
Dr Vishal Bector, Chief Editor, coordinated the felicitation ceremony and Dr Sandhya, Secretary, proposed a vote of thanks.