Friday, 20 June 2025
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, have scripted a new chapter by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bridge the fields of agriculture and technology. This partnership paves the way for collaborative efforts in precision agriculture, data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), geospatial science, as well as joint research and training programs—marking the dawn of a new era of interdisciplinary innovation and excellence
The MoU was officially signed by Dr. Rishi Pal Singh, Registrar of PAU, and Prof. Sudhir Kumar Barai, Director of BITS Pilani (Pilani Campus), in the presence of Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU. The ceremony was held in the Vice-Chancellor’s committee room, attended by senior academic and administrative leaders from both institutions.
Notable representatives from BITS Pilani included Col. Soumyabrata Chakraborty (Registrar); Prof. SK Verma, Senior Professor of Biological Sciences; Prof. BK Rout from the Mechanical Engineering Department; Prof. Poonam Goyal of the Computer Science Department; Prof. Radha Raman Mishra, Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering; Prof. Navneet Goyal, Senior Professor of Computer Science; and Prof. Neeru Sood from the Biological Sciences Department at the Dubai campus.
During the event, Dr. Gosal highlighted the collaboration as a forward-looking initiative aimed at merging scientific innovation with practical agricultural challenges. He noted that the partnership would enable the application of advanced technologies such as AI, drones, IoT sensors, robotics, spectroscopy, and GIS across various agricultural domains. Dr. Gosal also underscored PAU’s commitment to fostering partnerships that translate research into scalable, field-ready solutions for the benefit of farmers and industry stakeholders.
Reflecting on the importance of the agreement, Dr. Rishi Pal Singh stated that the MoU opens new avenues for blending academic expertise with technological innovation. He affirmed that both institutions share a common vision and are dedicated to ensuring the effective and impactful execution of the partnership.
Professor Barai echoed these views, affirming that the partnership with PAU aligns with BITS’s vision to extend its influence beyond traditional technical education. He emphasized the importance of leveraging computational and engineering sciences to promote sustainable agricultural progress and rural development.
Providing historical context, Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research at PAU, highlighted the university’s pioneering role in agricultural innovation. He referenced its significant contributions to crop breeding, nutrient and water use efficiency, conservation agriculture, and its central role in the Green Revolution. Dr. Dhatt noted that this strategic collaboration would enrich PAU’s research ecosystem with cutting-edge technological expertise.
Dr. Manjeet Singh, Dean of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, outlined the broader objectives of the MoU. It is designed to facilitate faculty and student exchanges, collaborative research, joint grant proposals, and technology transfer, fostering long-term institutional partnerships to tackle emerging challenges in Indian agriculture.
The MoU will remain in effect for five years, with automatic renewal unless terminated by either party.
This agreement marks a promising fusion of agricultural science and advanced technology, aimed at driving excellence in research, innovation, and outreach.
