Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, rejoiced in a moment of triumph as nine of its talented students were awarded the coveted Prime Minister Fellowship for Doctoral Research in 2024. This coveted fellowship, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative jointly spearheaded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), underscores the significance of industry-relevant research in shaping India’s future. The fellowship recipients, Aman Kumar, Ayush Gupta, Harvir Singh, Pardeep Beniwal, Rajwinder Kaur, Rashmita Saikia, Rutuparna Pati, Saatu Madhu, and Shivani Upadhyay, were lauded for bringing immense pride to PAU.

The Vice-Chancellor of PAU, Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, hosted a special meeting to applaud the fellowship awardees and their advisors. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Gosal extended heartfelt congratulations to the recipients and their mentors, emphasizing the rigorous effort required to craft a winning proposal. He encouraged the scholars to inspire their peers, urging faculty to identify more industry partnerships to amplify such successes. Dr. Gosal also called for strengthening ties with industries, noting the dual benefits of fostering innovation and accessing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives for collaborative research opportunities.

Dr. Rishi Pal Singh (IAS), Registrar of PAU, lauded Dr. Gosal’s visionary leadership, attributing the university’s accomplishments to his guidance. He commended the teamwork displayed by students, advisors, and faculty, which had culminated in this remarkable achievement. “PAU houses immense talent, and it is our responsibility to continue unlocking this potential,” remarked Dr. Singh.

Providing insights into the fellowship program, Dr. Manav Indra Singh Gill, Dean of Postgraduate Studies, elaborated on the details of the Prime Minister Fellowship for Doctoral Research. Highlighting its unique structure, he explained, “The fellowship doubles the financial support for full-time PhD scholars, offering approximately ₹86,000 per month. Half of this amount is funded by the government, while the other half is contributed by a partner company, which collaborates closely with the scholar on their research project.” Dr. Gill further noted that the fellowship, spanning four years, bridges the gap between academic research and industry needs, fostering innovation and practical application.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. C.S. Aulakh, Dean of the College of Agriculture. He urged the awardees to guide their juniors on the nuances of proposal writing and navigating the fellowship application process. “This mentorship can create a ripple effect, enabling more PAU students to secure such prestigious recognitions,” he stated.

The awardees and their advisors shared their experiences, recounting the challenges and triumphs of proposal preparation and securing industry collaborations. Their stories served as a source of inspiration for their peers and underscored the importance of perseverance, vision, and teamwork.