Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is a state administered agricultural university in India. It is located in the Ludhiana, Punjab and is the nation"s third oldest agricultural University in India, after Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar and Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneshwar.
Punjab Agricultural University offers UG, PG and Ph.D. courses in different specializations. This renowned institution is committed to continue the task of providing quality education in the areas of agriculture, veterinary science, agricultural engineering and allied fields and also conduct research that aids in increasing agricultural productivity.
History of Punjab Agricultural University
Punjab Agricultural University was established in 1962 and was formally inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It pioneered the Green Revolution in India in 1960s and is considered as one of the best agricultural universities in Asia. Punjab Agricultural University has played a key role in increasing food grain, livestock and poultry production in the Punjab State.
Colleges under Punjab Agricultural University
The University offers five bachelors, 51 Masters and 42 Doctorate programmes in 50 departments of five constituent colleges. The university also offers a Bachelor of Education programme and five Diploma programmes. The Colleges are:
•College of Agriculture
•College of Agricultural Engineering
•College of Veterinary Science
•College of Home Sciences
•College of Basic Science and Humanities
In 1988 the university switched from the trimester to semester system and in 1993 it switched from the letter grade system to a 10.00 credit point average system.
Facilities Offered by Punjab Agricultural University
The University has expanded physical amenities in terms of spacious laboratories, lecture rooms, research farms, advanced instrument farm machinery and also transport and library facilities.
Punjab Agricultural University has a multipurpose stadium located in the campus. The stadium has got facilities for sports like cricket, football, hockey, etc. There are facilities for indoor sports such as basketball, badminton, gymnastics, handball, volleyball, lawn tennis, table tennis, swimming, weight lifting, Kabaddi, etc.
Achievements of Punjab Agricultural University
Punjab Agricultural University is one of the best agricultural universities in Asia, the faculty members as well as the students of the University have won several national and international awards and honours. It includes prestigious awards like Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, Hari Om Ashram Trust award, ICAR, Best Teacher Award, Jawaharlal Nehru Award for their outstanding contribution in field etc.