Garhwal Post Bureau
Pantnagar, 25 Nov: The closing ceremony of ‘North Zone Anveshan 2025’ was organised at Gandhi Hall in GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology. It was held under the joint auspices of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and Pantnagar Agricultural University. On this occasion, the Chief Guest, Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Manmohan Singh Chauhan; Distinguished Guest and former Vice-Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University, Dr OPS Negi; and International Environmentalist Vinod Prasad Juglan were present, along with AIU Joint Director (Research) Dr Amrendra Pani; Registrar and Zonal Coordinator Dr Deepa Vinay; Dean, College of Agri-Business Management and Zonal Co-Coordinator Dr RS Jadoun; members of various judging panels; deans; directors; coordinators; heads of departments; faculty members; students; and participants from various institutions across the country.
Environmentalist Vinod Prasad Juglan appreciated the students’ diverse participation and encouraged interdisciplinary research. He said that innovation emerges when students are inspired to ask new questions. Events like Anveshan enhance curiosity and motivate young researchers toward excellence. Stressing that environmental sustainability is an essential component of contemporary research; he emphasised the need to work on climate-sensitive technologies and eco-friendly innovations, and also appealed for water conservation.
Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Manmohan Singh Chauhan highlighted the importance of research and innovation, stating that Anveshan provides a dynamic platform for youth to contribute to discovery, innovation, and nation-building. He said that young scientists of the country are establishing new dimensions in research and innovation, strengthening the resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047. Former Vice-Chancellor Dr OPS Negi emphasised the role of universities in promoting creativity and originality. He said that the future belongs to those researchers who think beyond traditional boundaries. AIU Joint Director (Research) Dr Amrendra Pani appreciated the excellent organisation of the event by the university and stated that, under the new evaluation process adopted by AIU in 2025, participants’ identities were kept confidential. Each team was assigned a code by theme coordinators, and evaluation was done solely on the basis of this code during presentations. Each proposal was evaluated on seven criteria and judges praised the fairness of this system.
The programme began with Dr Deepa Vinay administering the Constitutional Pledge on the occasion of Constitution Day, followed by ceremonial lamp lighting by the guests to formally inaugurate the conference. A special lecture on Turnitin software was delivered by Chetali Sharma, who provided detailed information on academic integrity, detection of plagiarism, and improving research quality through digital tools. A conceptual presentation on Turnitin and a report on the key activities and achievements of ‘Anveshan 2025’ were also presented. The main highlight of the ceremony was the release of the ‘Scholarly Research Book’, which compiles the academic contributions made during the conference.
In the event, 18 winning teams across six themes—Agricultural Sciences and Allied Fields; Social Sciences, Humanities, Business Management & Law; Interdisciplinary Research; Engineering & Technology; Health Sciences & Allied Sciences; and Basic Sciences—were announced. More than 120 teams from across North India participated and presented through online and offline modes to present their research projects.
Theme Coordinator for Agricultural Sciences and Allied Fields, Dean – Agriculture Dr Subhash Chandra stated that more than 25 teams participated, with first prize going to Lovely Professional University, second to Bennett University and Dayalbagh Educational Institute, and third to Sharda University. Theme Coordinator for Social Sciences, Humanities, Business Management & Law, Dean of Community Science Dr Alka Goel announced that more than 15 teams participated, with first prize awarded to Sharda University, second to Graphic Era Hill University, and third to Pantnagar Agricultural University. Theme Coordinator for Interdisciplinary Research, Dean-Postgraduate Studies Dr Lokesh Varshney informed the gathering that more than 20 teams participated; Amity University, Noida secured first prize, Integral University second and Dayalbagh Educational Institute third. Theme Coordinator for Engineering & Technology, Dean of College of Technology Dr S.S. Gupta stated that more than 22 teams participated; Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut, bagged first prize, Pantnagar Agricultural University, second, and Amity University, Noida third. Theme Coordinator for Health Sciences & Allied Sciences, Dean of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Dr AH Ahmed, informed that more than 18 teams participated; Guru Kashi University secured first prize, SGT University Gurugram second and Pantnagar Agricultural University third. For Basic Sciences, Theme Coordinator and Dean Science & Humanities Dr RC Srivastava informed that more than 20 teams participated; Lovely Professional University received first prize, SGT University, Gurugram, second, and Bennett University, third. In addition, all theme coordinators and co-coordinators were felicitated by the guests.
At the end, Dr RS Jadoun expressed gratitude to all guests and participants, stating that Anveshan is a transformative national-level platform for young researchers, and that the university will continue hosting such events in the future. He reported that the 18 winning teams will now represent the North Zone in the International Anveshan 2025.
Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Manmohan Singh Chauhan officially announced the conclusion of the conference. The event was successfully conducted with support from SBI Pantnagar, BIS Pantnagar, 4A Pantnagar, Uttarakhand Biotech Council, and the Turnitin team.
