Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
PAU hosts insightful session with Behavioral Economist Prof. Sanjit Dhami
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana, December 23, 2024: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, hosted an engaging interaction with Prof. Sanjit Dhami, a distinguished Professor of Economics at the University of Leicester and an eminent scholar in behavioral economics.
The event, organized in the Committee Room of PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, brought together university officers and faculty for a thought-provoking discussion on the applications of behavioral economics in public policy and business management.
Harpreet Sandhu, renowned heritage promoter and nature artist as well as Dr. Harnish Bindra, Sr. Consultant Gastroenterologist, Mohandai Oswal Hospital, Ludhiana were also in attendance.
Sharing insights from his extensive research, Prof. Dhami particularly focused on how behavioral economics integrates human behavior into traditional economic models.
Referring to his upcoming book, Principles of Behavioral Economics: Microeconomics and Human Behaviour, he noted that this work aims to make behavioral economics accessible to undergraduates while bridging the gap between standard economics and interdisciplinary approaches.
Prof. Dhami expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic reception at PAU and highlighted the potential of behavioral economics to revolutionize areas such as policy design, game theory, and social preferences.
Dr. Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, extended a warm welcome to Prof. Dhami, lauding his novel contributions to the field of behavioral economics.
He emphasized that behavioral economics is an area of immense relevance in today’s world, particularly for agriculture-based economies like Punjab, where understanding human behavior could improve policy outcomes and business strategies.He added that Prof. Dhami’s visit was an exceptional opportunity for the PAU community to learn from one of the foremost minds in the discipline.
Describing Prof. Dhami’s interaction as a valuable learning experience for both faculty and students, Dr. Rishi Pal Singh (IAS), Registrar of PAU, stated that incorporating behavioral insights into policy frameworks could significantly enhance governance and decision-making in agriculture and beyond.
Dr. Singh underscored PAU’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary learning, adding that collaborations with global scholars like Prof. Dhami strengthen the university’s academic ecosystem.
Adding to the discourse, Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, PAU’s Director of Research, emphasized the significance of behavioral economics in crafting effective marketing strategies, especially in agriculture.
He pointed out that understanding the cognitive biases and decision-making patterns of farmers and consumers could drive better adoption of technologies and sustainable practices.
Dr. Dhatt appreciated Prof. Dhami’s lucid explanation of complex concepts, which he said inspired both faculty and students to delve deeper into this evolving field.
Earlier, Harpreet Sandhu introduced the guest speaker. The interaction concluded with a Q&A session, where Prof. Dhami engaged with participants, addressing queries on topics such as bounded rationality, heuristics, social norms, confirmation bias, trust and trustworthiness, and the role of behavioral economics in addressing societal challenges.
Dr. Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Institution Relations), coordinated the interaction and thanked Prof. Dhami for his enlightening session, expressing hope for continued collaborations between PAU and global thought leaders.