Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana has opened a new chapter in its academic journey by appointing a global roster of Honorary Visiting Professors drawn from its alumni, former faculty and long-standing collaborators. The move builds on the university’s history as a leader in agricultural education since 1962 and aligns with its three consecutive first-place rankings among agricultural universities in the national framework. The roster features globally respected scientists and includes three recipients of the World Food Prize: Dr. G.S. Khush, Dr. Rattan Lal and Dr. S.K. Vasal.
Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, underlined how this initiative strengthens mentoring, expands research linkages and helps young scholars map pathways for higher studies. He noted that the visiting faculty will help bridge gaps between classroom learning and emerging research, encourage joint projects with international institutions, guide thesis work and give students a clearer sense of where their skills can take them in the global research ecosystem. He added that consistent interaction with senior experts will raise academic standards and widen collaborative opportunities for faculty as well. What this really means is a stronger academic culture backed by lived experience from experts who carry decades of field, lab and institutional leadership.
The university will follow a hybrid model of engagement. Each visiting professor will offer lectures, discussions and mentoring during personal visits while staying connected through periodic online sessions. The following list of Honorary Visiting Professors follows the order of name, discipline and affiliation:
- Dr. G.S. Khush, Crop Improvement, University of California, Davis, USA
- Dr. Bikram Gill, Crop Improvement, Kansas State University, USA
- Dr. Bing Yang, Biotechnology, University of Missouri, USA
- Dr. Harjinder Singh, Food Technology, Massey University, New Zealand
- Dr. Sukhinder Cheema, Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
- Dr. Manjeet Singh Chinnan, Food Processing and Food Engineering, University of Georgia, USA
- Dr. K Veeranjaneyulu, Library Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India
- Dr. Rajinder Ranu, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, USA
- Dr. Zora Singh, Horticultural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia
- Dr. Jaswinder Singh, Molecular Breeding, McGill University, Canada
- Dr. Kulvinder Singh Gill, Crop Improvement, Washington State University, USA
- Dr. Sukhwinder Singh, Crop Improvement and Germplasm Management, USDA-ARS, USA
- Dr. Talwinder Kahlon, Biochemistry, USDA-ARS, Abany, USA
- Dr. Rattan Lal, Soil Science, Ohio State University, USA
- Professor Sanjit Dhami, Economics, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
- Dr. Amanjot Singh, Soil and Water Engineering, University of Guelph, Canada
- Dr. Kanwarpal S Dhugga, Crop Improvement, Mexico
- Dr. S.K. Vasal, Crop Improvement, New Delhi, India
- Dr. G.S. Wander, Health Sciences and Cardiology, DMC and Hospital, Ludhiana
- Dr. Bishav Mohan, Health Sciences and Cardiology, DMC and Hospital, Ludhiana
- Professor Dilpreet Singh Bajwa, Engineering, Montana State University, USA
- Dr. Sarjinder Singh, Mathematics and Statistics, Texas A and M University, USA
Together, these experts bring decades of scientific leadership and long-standing ties with the university. Their association is expected to enrich teaching, broaden research capacities and strengthen PAU’s commitment to shaping future professionals equipped to contribute meaningfully to agriculture and society.