The College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (COAET) at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) recently hosted a grand and nostalgic gathering, bringing together its former students from across the globe. The annual alumni meet saw enthusiastic participation from nearly 250 alumni, who arrived with their families to reconnect and celebrate their shared legacy.
A Global Gathering of Agrineers
Alumni travelled from various parts of India and abroad to attend the event in Ludhiana, transforming it into a memorable homecoming. The guest list featured distinguished personalities, including Prof Manjeet Singh Chinnan, professor emeritus at the University of Georgia, USA, and a visiting professor at PAU, who reunited with his Diamond Jubilee batchmates. The event was also graced by former presidents of the Alumni Association.
A significant highlight was the strong turnout from milestone batches. Alumni from the L-1965 batch attended in large numbers to celebrate their Diamond Jubilee, while members of the L-1975 batch marked their Golden Jubilee, adding a special celebratory atmosphere to the meet.
Symbolic Baton Return and New Publications
One of the most symbolic moments of the evening was the homecoming of the Diamond Jubilee baton. This baton, released earlier during "Moments 2024," had embarked on an extensive journey. It travelled across multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, as well as through several regions of India, before finally making its way back to its alma mater in Ludhiana.
The meet also served as a platform to launch important publications. The alumni witnessed the release of the Diamond Jubilee Alumni Directory—Almanac 2025 and the latest edition of the alumni newsletter, The Agrineer. These publications document the remarkable milestones and professional achievements of the college's graduates over the decades.
Leadership Lauds Alumni & Highlights Future Initiatives
In his address, PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr S S Gosal praised the alumni for their outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions. He emphasised that alumni are the university's most valuable ambassadors, who carry forward its legacy of innovation, integrity, and academic excellence into diverse sectors worldwide. Dr Gosal encouraged them to stay connected, share their expertise, and actively participate in initiatives that promote sustainability and technological advancement for the benefit of farmers and society.
Dr Manjeet Singh, Dean of COAET and chief patron of the Alumni Association, congratulated the alumni for excelling as academicians, researchers, administrators, and entrepreneurs. He shared that since its establishment in 1964, the college has produced nearly 2,900 "agrineers." Dr Singh outlined several forward-looking initiatives undertaken by the college:
- Launch of the School of Digital Innovations for Smart Agriculture (S-DISA).
- Integration of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, IoT sensors, robotics, and GIS into agricultural practices.
- Establishment of a ministry-approved Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) to train rural youth in UAV (drone) operations.
- Creation of an agro-processing complex, featuring a jaggery processing unit, to demonstrate on-farm processing and packaging of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and jaggery.
Adding to the announcements, Dr Preetinder Kaur, President of the Alumni Association, revealed new initiatives supported by alumni contributions. These include the AA–MS Chinnan Travel Grant for students and faculty, and the Sukhdeep Singh–Jasjeet Kaur Academic Improvement Award for students, aimed at fostering academic growth and opportunities.
The event successfully reinforced the strong bonds within the COAET community, celebrating a glorious past while collectively steering towards a technologically advanced and sustainable future for Indian agriculture.
