Nauni/Solan: The students of M.Sc Seed Science and Technology at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni have a reason to work harder for academic excellence. The University’s Academic Council and Board of Management have approved the institution of a gold medal in the discipline of Seed Science and Technology on the request of Dr Gajender Kumar Bhatia, a former alumnus of the university.
Dr Gajender Kumar Bhatia, a former student of the university has instituted the ‘Bauji Siri Chand Bhatia Memorial Gold Medal’ for Overall Best M.Sc student in Seed Science and Technology at the university. He also presented a cheque of Rs 4.5 lakh to the University for starting the gold medal.
A resident of Solan and a former student of the erstwhile College of Agriculture (1970 batch), Dr Bhatia instituted the gold medal in the memory of his late father, Siri Chand Bhatia. The Academic Council and Board of Management of the university approved his request and the medal will be instituted from the academic session 2017-18.
“It is very heartening to see the former students promoting academic excellence in the university. Such gestures will encourage the students to work harder and excel in their studies”, said Dr HC Sharma, UHF Vice-Chancellor.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhatia said, “Being a former student I wanted to do something for the alma mater. Moreover, I wanted to honour my father, who was a social reformer and educationist, who always inspired us to strive for academic excellence.”
He added that the discipline of Seed Science was chosen because of its importance for the farming community and his personal association with seed industry. Dr Bhatia had served with distinction as a scientist at ICRISAT and Dupont Pioneer International, a multinational seed company. He recently retired as the Regional Director of the Asia Pacific Center at Singapore.
Dr Sharma said that UHF will continue to cherish his contributions as an alumnus of the university and his gesture for instituting this gold medal to promote excellence in education.
