Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Amritsar, May 18 (Punjab Post Bureau) – World renowned agriculture scientist and UK Queen’s Order winner Professor (Dr.) Daljit Singh Virk today visited his Alma mater Khalsa College. He took a round of the college, recalled the days he spent on the campus in 1970s before migrating to United Kingdom where he worked with various international agencies developing latest seeds and technology.
Dr. Virk did his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1964 and later served the Botany Department here till 1970. He was received by Khalsa College Principal Dr. Mehal Singh who honored him for making the management and the College proud of his achievement in the distant land and winning the prestigious Queen’s Honor of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to poverty reduction abroad and education in Derby (UK).
The award is the third highest and approximates to the civilian award of Padma Bhushan in India. Dr. Virk a biometrical geneticist and plant breeder, spoke in length about the possibilities of collaboration of UK and Indian institutions of higher learning in agriculture sciences. “India and especially Punjab need to adopt latest techniques for diversification in the sector”, said he as he spoke about new varieties of paddy which require less water and give high yields.
“There are immense opportunities to adopt research and make the agriculture more scientific”, said he as he as he went through the nostalgic moments while walking down the corridors of the historic building of the College. Principal assured him that management was ready to explore the possibilities of educational tie with the UK varsities.
Dr. who also worked as Professor in PAU and did his Ph.D and D.Sc from Birmingham University. He is currently an International Coordinator of DFID Plant Science Projects who has collaborated with a number of Universities in India and Africa, and with international research institutes such as IRRI and CIMMYT to improve the efficiency of plant breeding methods. His pioneering research targeted small holders in Asia and Africa for developing new seeds for marginal and rain-fed areas and his contributions in advancing scientific knowledge in bio-metrical genetics, plant breeding.
“I am thankful to my Alma mater for polishing my personality and dreaming big’’, he said as he thanked the Khalsa College Global Alumni Association President Davinder Singh Chhina and his associates HS Bhatti who were instrumental in arranging the visit.
