Sufism has played a very significant role among the mankind 

Patiala, July 31- “Sufism has played a very significant role in spreading the spiritual message of peace and brotherhood among the mankind. The message assumes much significance in the context of prevalent situation, dominated by violence and hostility reaching the crest of sadism.”     This was stated by Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, while presiding over a conference on “Resurgence of Sufism as a Universal Movement for Peace” at the University of Gujarat, Pakistan.

Dr Jaspal Singh said that some fanatics were playing an ugly game by misguiding and inciting innocent youth to indulge in carnage and bloodshed. The doctrine of Sufism, he said, can help salvage the humanity from this ugly and ghastly state of affairs. An apostle of Sufism, Baba Sheikh Farid has been given a very respectable place in Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Nanak himself by selecting his divine recitals, even as the fifth Sikh Master, Guru Arjun Dev took special care while editing and compiling them in the Holy Scripture.

Dr Jaspal Singh announced to hold the next conference on Sufism at Punjabi University, Patiala in response to his counterpart in the University of Gujarat, Dr Fakhar Zaman’s invitation for furthering the interaction between the two Universities. 

Punjabi University’s Department of Correspondence Courses has started four new job-oriented courses 

Patiala, July 31- The Punjabi University’s Department of Correspondence Courses has started four new job-oriented courses from the current academic session. These courses include Master of Science in Information Technology, PG Diploma in Computer Applications, Bachelor of Computer Applications and Certificate Course in Computer Applications.

     According to Dr Jaspal Singh Punjabi University has taken this initiative with the objective of “providing professional and technical education to those students, especially rural girls, who can’t afford to attend regular classes due to financial and social constraints.”  According to Dr S.M. Verma, HoD of Correspondence courses, the students will be required to pay very less fees as compared to the private institutes for these courses, he said. The students, he said, will be supplied study material in accordance with the course content of these courses. While eligibility for M.Sc. (IT) and PG Diploma in Computer Applications will be graduation, for BCA and CCA it will be 10+2. 

 

Future Plans of Punjabi University, Patiala 

Patiala, July 30- Having made phenomenal progress during the tenth plan, spanning five years from 2002 to 2007, Punjabi University, Patiala has chalked out futuristic and forward-looking projects for the eleventh plan to be accomplished with grants from the UGC, other funding agencies and by raising money from its own resources.

     Following directives from the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jaspal Singh, Director, Planning and Monitoring, Dr Devinder Singh has designed an overview of the activities and achievements of the University during the tenth plan and proposals for the eleventh plan which was presented before a 12-member UGC team, led by Prof J.B. Joshi during its visit from July 28 to 30. While presenting the report, Dr Jaspal Singh disclosed that the University has achieved unique milestones in the fields of academics, research, enlarging its vistas in respect of creating new regional centres and neighbourhood campuses in a bid to reach the unreachable, and raising of new structures to accommodate increasing number of students every year. In addition to this, the University also scaled new heights by way of new additional teaching departments getting such coveted statuses like SAP, ASSIST /ASIHSS and FIST, starting of new professional and job-oriented courses, substantial increase in enrolment of students, affiliated collages, and publication of books. Tremendous progress has also been made in the field of sports with an increase in number of its medal tally in various inter-University competitions from 45 in 2002 to 186 in 2007.

While addressing the University faculty, Prof Joshi profoundly appreciated the infrastructure and environment of the University and promised to get befitting grants matching its activities and achievements.

     The report stated that while the number of students went up from 3,151 to 8,903 during five years in various courses of the University, the number of affiliated colleges swelled from 71 to 138 during this period. While faculty’s strength did go up from 403 in 2002 to 604 in 2007, the non-teaching staff witnessed a rise to 2,203 from 1,813 during the corresponding period.

     Departments of Chemistry, Computer Science and Zoology were added to the departments of Botany, Economics, Punjabi and Physics for the award of UGC’s SAP status during five years, with Departments of Botany, Punjabi and Economics being crowned as ASSIST/ASIHSS departments and those of Biotechnology, Zoology and Computer Science as FIST Departments.

     To resolve the accommodation problems of students, getting admission in various University courses, the University erected three new imposing structures as two hostels for Boys and one for girls. Three other buildings—University College of Engineering, Enquiry and Information Centre and Kala Bhawan—were also raised during this period totaling a cost of over Rs 25 crore. Six new neighbourhood campuses were also created to take the education at the doorsteps of rural poor. The other sundry expenditure resulted in the increase of annual budget of the University from Rs 56.54 to 101.45 crore.  The University generated around Rs three crore for awarding scholarships to the Engineering students of Yadavindra College of Engineering, Talwandi Sabo. In the tenth A plan, the University received Rs 33 crore from the UGC while its expenditure came out to the tune of Rs 36 crore thus causing an over-expenditure of Rs three crore. The new consolidated financial requirements put up by the University to meet its various demands nearly touch the figure of Rs 500 crore.

 

Dr. Jaspal Singh launched “pro-environment, anti-pollution” drive 

Patiala, July 14- Punjabi University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jaspal Singh today launched “pro-environment, anti-pollution” drive as a part of health and hygiene crusade on the University Campus here today. As a first step in the direction of making the campus a pollution-free zone and creating a holistic environment, the Vice-Chancellor led a 17-member team of the newly-created Punjabi University Environment Society in plating 35 Gulmohar plants. Each member of the Society, including Dean, Research, Dr M.S. Saini, Dean, Students, Dr K.S. Dhillon planted two saplings each.

     Later, Dr Jaspal Singh urged the Society members to make concerted and resolute efforts to make the Campus “polythene and smoke free” before September 5, to mark the commemoration of Teachers’ Day. He asked the convener of the Society, Dr Jagbir Singh and Dean, Students Welfare, Dr Kulbir Singh Dhillon and Coordinator, Dr Paramvir Singh to ensure that no corner of the Campus remains unattended lest it becomes a breeding ground for the weeds and poisonous animals. The members were asked to motivate the shopkeepers through various means not to sell cigarettes and vend through polythene bags.  The residents, he said, would also be encouraged through advisories, circulars, leaflets and personal contact programmes to avoid using polythene carry bags in an order to make the whole exercise a success. He also directed the Society members to ensure the appropriate disposal of pre-packed polythene bags.

     The second part of the exercise, Dr Jaspal Singh said, will involve planting of medicinal plants, land for which has already been earmarked. This will be followed by waste management and beautification drives in shape of holding flower shows and exhibition of seasonal plants to ward off the growing menace of global warming and green effect.

Dr. Gambhir present his research paper at Greece 

Patiala, July 14- Dr Yogesh Gambhir, Reader in the Punjabi University’s Department of Theatre and Television, will present his research paper, “Critical Study of Various Versions of Ramayana” in the World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society(WSEAS) Conference to be held at Heraklian , Greece from July 22 to 24. Besides having been selected for publication in the Conference proceedings, his paper with enhanced and extended version has also been picked for publication in various reputable international journals after additional peer review on behalf of WSEAS. The abstract of the research paper states that a “critical study of the Ramayana has shown that although Ramayana is one epic, it carries many a version depending upon local cultures, traditions and environment of various geographical parameters.”

Dr Khehra appointed Registrar

Patiala, July 3- The Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Jaspal Singh has appointed Dr S.S. Khehra as Registrar of the University for a period of one year in addition to his post of Professor in the Law Department. In another order, he has appointed Dr Devinder Singh, Reader in the Zoology Department as Director, Planning and Monitoring.

Pbi varsity awards life fellowship to H K Manmohan Singh 

 

NSS camp at Andhreta Punjabi University Patiala 

Patiala: 1 July-National Integration camp sponsored by ministry of Youth affairs and Sports was held at Noorah Richard's Writer's home, Punjabi University, Andretta H.P. by the dept. of NSS Punjabi University Patiala concluded here today. The camp was organized under the supervision of Dr. Paramvir Singh, Coordinator Dept. of NSS Punjabi University Patiala. In this camp the100 volunteers from four colleges and seven universities of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Haryana and Chandigarh  participated.

            Apart from the routine activities like morning walk, yoga, meditations, tracking and cultural evenings, special lectures on Mental blocks, Positive thinking, Personality development, Decision Making, Discipline, Punctuality & National Integration were also held.Volunteers apart from learning from learned faculty also developed a sense of belongingness to the nature. They enjoyed this visits to Sharan Chapres Hydro-electric power projects at Joginder Nagar, inter action with the local Andreta People and exchange their cultural heritage among themselves.

             Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University  Dr. Jaspal Singh graced the ocassion and advised the students to recognize respect, and protect national integration. He said  we must respect each religion, culture, language and ethnic groups and then its our responsibility that we must protect our National Interest to maintain the integrity.

            Dean, Students Welfare, Punjabi University Patiala Dr. Kulbir Singh Dhillon blessed the volunteers and asked them to contribute for the welfare of the society. Dean, Colleges Dr. Manjit Singh also addressed the volunteers on social attitude and aptitude. Ex Principalof Govt. College, Ropar & local resident Dr. Malti Sharma   blessed the volunteers and appreciated the effects of the organizers for organizing the Camp.

            Valedictory function was presided over by the local MLA Capt. Atma Ram. He congratulated the organisers for the successful completion of the camp to be held at Andreta. He also assured for all sorts od heplp for future camps to be organizing at Andretta.

            NSS Programme Officers Prof. Jatinder Gill, Dr. Chander Shekhar Sharma, Dr. Rajeev Sharma, Dr. Rajinder Kaur, Dr. Mujahid Hassan, Dr. Mohommad Idris and Prof. Dinesh were also very helpful in camp organization. Mr. Gurjit Singh of Punjabi University, Patiala was adjudged the best volunteer of the Camp.

 

Patiala, June 28- A meeting of the Punjabi University Syndicate, held under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jaspal Singh here today, gave its consent to award life fellowship to a former Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University and a noted economist,  Dr H.K. Manmohan Singh. While Dr Sutinder Singh Noor was appointed Professor of Eminence in the Department of Punjabi Language Development, Dr Mohinder Kaur Gill was given life fellowship for her significant contribution to promote the concept and philosophy of Guru Granth Sahib. Dr Rattan Singh was given senior fellowship. The meeting also approved around 25 per cent increase in the fellowship amounts.
     A larger number of promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme were approved by the syndicate. These included promotions from Readers to Professors of Dr Kulbir Singh Dhillon, Dr Jaspal Kaur and Dr Sukhninder Kaur (History); Dr J.A. Khan and Dr Sansar Singh ( Political Science-CC);Dr Ravi Kumar (Hindi); K.S. Sohal(Geography); Dr Anita Gill (Economics-CC); Dr Navtej Singh and Dr Sukhdial Singh (Punjab Historical Studies);Dr Lakhwinder Singh and Dr Balbir Singh (Economics); Dr Nazar Singh (History-CC); and Dr Sukhwinder Singh (Research Centre for Economic Change). Dr Sarbjinder Singh (Religious Studies); Dr Rakesh Kumar and Dr Anupama(Economics) were promoted as Lectures, Senior Scale.
     Appointments of Lt Col Mukhtiar Singh Sandhu (Security-cum-Transport Officer) and of Capt Gurtej Singh and Mr Rajinder Singh Dhindsan were approved as Assistant Security-cum-Transport Officers for University Campus and Guru Kashi Campus, Talwandi Sabo. Appointments of Dr M.S. Saini (Dean, Research), Dr Manjit Singh (Dean, Colleges), Dr K.S. Dhillon (Dean, Students), and Dr Balwinder Singh Tiwana (Provost) were also approved. Terms of Dr Jodh Singh as Editor-in-Chief of Encyclopaedia of Sikhism and Dr Gurmeet Singh Maan as Director, Public Relations were extended by one year.
     Dr Jaspal Singh informed the house that the University was planning to set up advanced centres of higher learning, especially in the most-sought-after professional disciplines at its Guru Kashi Campus, Talwandi Sabo. Sharing this information, he said that the disciplines include those of Biotechnology, B.Tech. (Information Technology), and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The meeting also gave its nod for establishing University’s Regional Centre at Jaito for starting Computer Courses. The objective of doing all this was to promote and take hi-tech professional education to the doorsteps of the rural poor, Dr Jaspal Singh said. He also informed the house about the rewarding experience that the University has had in shape of holding first-of-its kind All-India Punjabi Conference and starting of many new job-oriented courses on its Campus and its affiliated colleges from the oncoming session.