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Ludhiana: Over dozen firms interview students for 100 vacancies
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organized an employment fair with over a dozen companies interviewing students for 100+ vacancies. Panel discussions on enhancing employability, psychological resilience, and self-employment were also held. PAU vice-chancellor emphasized the importance of being job ready and encouraged students to consider self-employment. Twelve PAU alumni displayed their ventures at the exhibition. Several banks also provided information on financial products for entrepreneurs.
The university counselling and placement guidance cell organised an employment fair under the patronage of directorate of students’ welfare, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).
During the fair, more than a dozen companies interviewed students for over 100 vacancies. Major recruiters for the day were Field King (Beri Udyog limited), AMUL Feed Business, Trishveda Natural Private Limited, Cogneesol Agtech Pvt Ltd, AFI Feed Industries, Think and Learn Pvt Ltd, Centre of International Projects Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust. Besides, a number of diet counselling-based business houses such as The Diet Experts, Diet Doctor Clinic, Pragya- The Dietician, Kanurpreet Arora Narang and SPS Apollo Hospital interviewed PAU students for final placement offers.
Three panel discussions were also organised. First panel discussion was on the theme “Enhancing employability of students”. Harish Anand, assistant vice-president, strategy office from Vardhman group, emphasised on acquiring relevant skill sets for being a good industry fit. Ranbir Singh, general manager, Punjab Agri Expert Corporation, stressed that patience and hard work were the key in climbing the corporate ladder. Baljinder Saini, executive director, RGR Cell, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, advised the students to be ready for a drastic transition phase while entering the corporate sector.
Second panel discussion was focused on the theme “Psychological resilience for workplace success”. Dr Tarika Sandhu, associate professor (psychology) from Punjabi University, Patiala, dealt with the topic “Handling stress in early career”. Shreya Jain, assistant professor, Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management, presented her views on the “Role of social skills and positive thinking in workplace success”.
Shweta Batta, chief dietitian, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, urged the students to maintain a healthy lifestyle for enhancing work productivity. She also offered tips regarding food choices for dealing with stress.
Third panel discussion was held on “Self-employment: The new employment avenue”. Mr Kaushal Singh, a PAU alumnus and owner of Cane Farms and Jagger Cane, discussed his journey as an entrepreneur and shed light on associated challenges. Garima Goyal, also a PAU alumna and an owner of a diet clinic, motivated the students to take self-employment and narrated the challenges she faced in her startup. Ashish Mehta, head (operations), Innovation Mission Punjab, stated that innovation was a basic building block of entrepreneurship and that students could venture in the domain of agriculture, food processing and allied areas.
PAU vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal emphasised on being skilful and job ready in the competitive era, and acknowledged the importance of self- employment in the changing business landscape. He also encouraged the students to come up with new startups based on vast opportunities in the field of agribusiness.
Twelve alumni of PAU displayed their ventures at the exhibition. These ventures included startups based on honey products, bakery products, jaggery, playway, education for children with special needs, diet clinics, interior decorations items, social media marketing, and apparel products. Four banks, namely Punjab National Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Bank of Baroda and ICICI Bank also put their stalls for dissemination information regarding financial products for both current entrepreneurs and budding entrepreneurs.
