Ludhiana, Sept, 03, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
An IIT, Kharagpur postgraduate, Dr Ashok Kumar, a former Dean and also an alumnus of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (CoAET), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been nominated as Member of the Board of Management, PAU, for a period of three years.
Extending a floral welcome to Dr Kumar, the Alumni Association of the CoAET called it a proud moment for the College as well as the Association.
Dr Manjeet Singh, Dean of CoAET, while highlighting the accomplishments of Dr Kumar, said that Dr Kumar has retired as Dean of CoAET in January 2023 after rendering an exceptional service in the field of Processing and Food Engineering during his long professional career of more than 32 years.
He outlined Dr Kumar’s professional journey that started as an Assistant Manager at Oswal Agro Furane Ltd, Dhuri during March 1987 to May 1990 where he was responsible for erection and commissioning of world’s largest rice milling plant for processing of paddy and byproducts.
“He joined PAU as an Assistant Research Engineer in May 1990 and remained a dedicated scientist with profound commitment towards uplifting the prestige of the University. He did his B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) and Ph.D. (Processing and Agricultural Structures) from PAU in 1984 and 2009, respectively,” added Dr Singh.
Dr Gursahib Singh, Additional Director of Research (Agricultural Engineering), informed that Dr Kumar has served as Head, Department of Processing and Food Engineering (2012-2014 and 2018-2019); Additional Director Research (Food, Science, Nutrition and Engineering 2014-15) and Additional Director Research (Farm Mechanization and Bio-Energy 2015-19). In January 2019, he was appointed as Dean of CoAET.
Besides his regular responsibilities, he has also held the position of Director of Extension Education; Director of Research; Director, Technology Marketing and Intellectual Property Right Cell; and Estate Officer at PAU, told Dr Singh. Subsequent to his retirement, he has been working as Adjunct Professor at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, he added.
Dr Preetinder Kaur, President of Alumni Association, highlighted the commendable contributions of Dr Kumar towards teaching, research and extension at PAU.
Besides serving as member of academic council of prominent universities of Punjab, Dr Kumar has guided eight M.Tech and four Ph.D students as major advisor and 49 students as co-advisor; and authored more than 50 publications in various international and national journals, five books, two book chapters, two research bulletins and 41 extension articles and presented technical papers in different seminars/symposia.
His top-class engineering skills are evident from the establishment of the Food Industry Training-cum-Business Incubation Centre at Bathinda that came up under his guidance in view of the growing trend for food engineering, she informed.
Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Institutional Linkages), said that Dr Kumar has received appreciation letters from former Vice-Chancellors for the placement of students and actively promoting Agro Processing Complexes across Punjab. “Dr Kumar is an inspiration for his colleagues and students,” he stated.
