Garhwal Post Bureau
Pantnagar 9 Jun: Two agreements (MoUs) were signed today by Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. The first MoU was signed with the Uttarakhand Open University. The MoU was signed by Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Vice Chancellor of Pantnagar University, and Dr OPS Negi, Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University. On this occasion, Dr Hem Raj Bhatt, Registrar of Uttarakhand Open University, threw light on the importance and objective of the MoU being signed. Various subjects are included under this MoU. For example, exchange of MOOCs and digital content between the two institutions, exchange of e-content, promotion of research and extension programmes, capacity building during training, organisation of workshops and seminars, exchange of technical knowledge, etc. Pantnagar University Registrar Dr Deepa Vinay also highlighted the importance of the MoU.
On this occasion, Uttarakhand Open University Vice Chancellor Dr OPS Negi expressed his happiness over this MoU and said that both the universities will work together in the interest of students and faculty members. He highlighted how farmers’ income can be increased through AI. Agriculture is the backbone and it is essential to provide new technology to farmers. He said that MOOCs have four coordinates, namely, video content, electronic content, discussion forum and assessment and evaluation. Vice Chancellor of Pantnagar University Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan emphasised on providing knowledge and new technology to the farmers and said that the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, is also organising many programmes in this regard. At present, under the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra from 29 May to 12 June for Kharif crops, intensive training is being organised for technology transfer to the farmers in which scientists of the University and Krishi Vigyan Kendras are making their meaningful contribution. He also expressed happiness on signing of the MoU with Uttarakhand Open University and said that it will have far-reaching results.
On this occasion, Director Research Dr AS Nain welcomed everyone and gave a brief description of the MoUs to be signed.
The second MoU was signed with Bangalore-based Nextron Technologies Private Limited, which aims to make Pantnagar University a leading training centre for semiconductor design. Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan emphasised that universities must be at the forefront of emerging technologies and foster an entrepreneurial mindset among students to meet India’s self-reliance goals. Dr SS Gupta, Dean, College of Technology, underscored the strategic importance of the semiconductor industry and the critical role of start-ups in supplying highly skilled workforce to domestic fabs and design houses. Dr RPS Gangwar, Professor and Head of ECE and Director of Self-Financed Courses, summarised the key provisions of the MoU: Creation of a high-tech incubation centre on campus; access to industry-grade EDA tool licenses worth approximately Rs 10 crore per year; face-to-face summer internships and year-long training that will equip 100 students annually with practical experience in the complete semiconductor design flow. The MoU was signed by Vivek, Director, Nextron, and Dr AS Nain, Director, Research, on behalf of Pantnagar University. Nain formally signed the MoU. Dr Gangwar concluded the event with a vote of thanks to the University leadership, Nextron team and the Organising Committee. This collaboration is expected to accelerate Pantnagar University’s ongoing efforts to establish Uttarakhand as the “Silicon Valley of the Himalayas” by combining state-of-the-art equipment with industry mentorship and a strong pipeline of student innovators.
