PATIALA:  A meeting of the Punjabi University Syndicate, held under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jaspal Singh here Saturday, gave its consent to award life fellowship to a former Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University and a noted economist,  Dr H.K. Manmohan Singh.

While Dr Satinder Singh Noor was appointed Professor of Eminence in the Department of Punjabi Language Development, Dr Mohinder Kaur Gill was given life fellowship for her significant contribution to promote the concept and philosophy of Guru Granth Sahib. Dr Rattan Singh was given senior fellowship. The meeting also approved around 25 per cent increase in the fellowship amounts.

A larger number of promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme were approved by the syndicate. These included promotions from Readers to Professors of Dr Kulbir Singh Dhillon, Dr Jaspal Kaur and Dr Sukhninder Kaur (History); Dr J.A. Khan and Dr Sansar Singh ( Political Science-CC);Dr Ravi Kumar (Hindi); K.S. Sohal(Geography); Dr Anita Gill (Economics-CC); Dr Navtej Singh and Dr Sukhdial Singh (Punjab Historical Studies);Dr Lakhwinder Singh and Dr Balbir Singh (Economics); Dr Nazar Singh (History-CC); and Dr Sukhwinder Singh (Research Centre for Economic Change). Dr Sarbjinder Singh (Religious Studies); Dr Rakesh Kumar and Dr Anupama(Economics) were promoted as Lectures, Senior Scale.

Appointments of Lt Col Mukhtiar Singh Sandhu (Security-cum-Transport Officer) and of Capt Gurtej Singh and Mr Rajinder Singh Dhindsan were approved as Assistant Security-cum-Transport Officers for University Campus and Guru Kashi Campus, Talwandi Sabo. Appointments of Dr M.S. Saini (Dean, Research), Dr Manjit Singh (Dean, Colleges), Dr K.S. Dhillon (Dean, Students), and Dr Balwinder Singh Tiwana (Provost) were also approved. Terms of Dr Jodh Singh as Editor-in-Chief of Encyclopaedia of Sikhism and Dr Gurmeet Singh Maan as Director, Public Relations were extended by one year.

Dr Jaspal Singh informed the house that the University was planning to set up advanced centres of higher learning, especially in the most-sought-after professional disciplines at its Guru Kashi Campus, Talwandi Sabo. Sharing this information, he said that the disciplines include those of Biotechnology, B.Tech. (Information Technology), and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The meeting also gave its nod for establishing University's Regional Centre at Jaito for starting Computer Courses. The objective of doing all this was to promote and take hi-tech professional education to the doorsteps of the rural poor, Dr Jaspal Singh said. He also informed the house about the rewarding experience that the University has had in shape of holding first-of-its kind All-India Punjabi Conference and starting of many new job-oriented courses on its Campus and its affiliated colleges from the oncoming session.