In a landmark development for engaging young minds for sustainable development, the week-long G20 University Connect program jointly organized by Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana under the aegis of Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India and Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) concluded today. The mega-event brought together think tanks, policymakers, administrators, academicians, and other stakeholders to deliberate on the theme “Climate-Smart Agriculture, Food Systems and One Health” for sustainable progression of the G20 nations.
Dr. S. K. Uppal, Dean Po
stgraduate Studies and Convener of the Program welcomed the dignitaries and participants. Dr. S. S. Gosal, Vice Chancellor of PAU gave his insights on G20 from an agricultural perspective. He highlighted the impact of climate change on diverse fields, including agriculture and livestock sectors in particular.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Veterinary University highlighted the vivacious role of livestock sector in food and nutritional basket, and augmenting the household income of farmers for better livelihood. Dr. Singh underpinned the need for updating the 
course curriculum of veterinary science to match it with the global standards and shared that Vety Varsity, Ludhiana is playing a lead role in this direction. He revealed that the University has started a new degree programme with flexible entry and exit to generate skilled human resources focussing on entrepreneurship in the area of integrated animal husbandry.
Prof. Manish, Dean, School of International Studies, Central University of Gujarat sensitized the participants about the G20 Presidency and its opportunities for India. Dr. Smita Sirohi, Joint Secretary (G20), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, delivered a special lecture on ‘Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Transformation: G20 Commitments and Future Research Frontiers’.
Sh. Sandeep Rajoriya, ITS, ADG, Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India delivered a talk on ‘Seeding Agricultural Leadership: From Graduates to Innovators’. He emphasized on building up a league of entrepreneurs in the country. Dr. Ashok Kumar, Assistant Director General (Animal Health), ICAR, New Delhi gave special remarks on ‘One Health: Challenges and Way Forward’ and insisted that it is the need of hour and requires special attentio
n. Dr. P. Srinivasa Rao, Fellow, RIS, New Delhi conducted the question-answer session, addressing the knowledge quest of the participants. Dr. Y.P.S. Malik, Dean College of Animal Biotechnology, and Organizing Secretary of the program presented the report of pre-event activities, and added that a total of 22 events were organised and a total of 557 students from more than 10 institutions participated in these events. Dr. Satyavan Rampal, Director Students’ Welfare, and Organizing Secretary of the event informed that more than 350 faculty and students from different colleges of both the universities attended the event. Dr. P. K. Chhuneja, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, PAU presented the vote of thanks.
Winners of different competitions viz. elocution, e-poster, e-essay, Ideathon, e-quizzes, Rangoli competition(s) etc. were felicitated in the award ceremony
