Shimla: The Governor and Chancellor of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Kavinder Gupta today chaired the University’s 17th senate meeting.
Reviewing the University’s academic, research and extension activities, the Governor commended its achievements in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and lauded its growing reputation in horticulture, forestry and mountain agriculture research. He emphasized the need to align academic programmes with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics and information technology into the curriculum.
The Governor called for timely completion of the Board of Management’s reconstitution and encouraged stronger partnerships with financial institutions and industry to enhance employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the students.
He virtually inaugurated the Nakshatra Vatika, Swa-Rozgar Dham and laid foundation stone of the Digital Knowledge Centre and launched several University-developed products on this occasion. He also reviewed a presentation on the concept and objectives of Swa-Rozgar Dham.
Developed through a blend of Indian knowledge traditions, Ayurveda, biodiversity conservation and modern landscape design, the Nakshatra Vatika features 27 tree species associated with the Nakshatras, along-with medicinal gardens, meditation spaces, yoga facilities and sustainable infrastructure.
The Governor also inaugurated the Digital Knowledge Centre at the Satyanand Stokes Library. Equipped with advanced digital resources and smart technologies, the facility will provide students and researchers access to over 1.3 million books and more than 500,000 journals, magazines and newspapers.
During his visit, he inspected various University facilities, including laboratories, the bakery unit, floral craft laboratory, terrarium site and Swa-Rozgar Dham, appreciating the University’s efforts to promote practical learning, innovation and self-employment.
The Governor also commended the University’s contribution towards supporting farmers through the supply of quality planting material, seeds and modern agricultural technologies. He stressed the importance of research excellence, climate-resilient agriculture, entrepreneurship and stronger collaboration between farmers, academia and industry.
Expressing confidence in the institution’s future, he said the University was well positioned to achieve new milestones of excellence at both national and international levels.
MLA’s Sanjay Awasthy and Vinod Sultanpuri, Chancellor Dr. Harminder Singh Baweja, Secretary to the Governor Sandeep Bhardwaj, Director Horticulture Satish Sharma, Director Agriculture Ravinder Singh Jasrotia, SP T.Sai Dattatreya Verma, members of the Senate and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
