PAU honoured with IIRF Education Impact Award 2026 for excellence in Agricultural Mentorship
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana (Punjab), November 3, 2025:The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has been conferred with the IIRF Education Impact Award 2026 for its outstanding role as an Agriculture Education Mentor. The award, presented by the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) during the 8th Industry-Academia Conclave in New Delhi, recognizes PAU’s pioneering contribution to agricultural education, research, and community outreach.
Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, described the honour as a testament to the university’s enduring mission to merge science, innovation, and social relevance. “This recognition celebrates PAU’s evolving academic and extension model that empowers students, farmers, and industries to grow together,” he said.
The award adds to PAU’s long list of national achievements. The university has earned an A+ accreditation from the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board with a score of 3.59/4, and has consistently ranked first among India’s agricultural universities in the NIRF rankings (2023–2025).
PAU’s approach to experiential learning through programmes like RAWE, ELP, and Agri-Diksha ensures that students gain real-world agricultural experience. With state-of-the-art infrastructure including smart classrooms, AR-VR labs, and innovation hubs such as AccelBreed and S-DISA, PAU maintains a strong teacher–student ratio of 1:5, fostering personalized learning and mentorship.
Highlighting PAU’s global reach, Dr. Manav Indra Singh Gill, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, noted that over 520 graduates since 2016 have pursued higher studies in over 100 prestigious global universities, while 35 students have received the Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research. Collaborations with leading universities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia continue to strengthen PAU’s international research network.
As a leader in agricultural extension and entrepreneurship, PAU reaches millions of farmers annually through 18 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, 15 Farm Advisory Service Centres, and digital platforms like the PAU Kisan App and Kheti Sandesh magazine. Its Punjab Agri-Business Incubator (PABI) and NIDHI-TBI initiatives further empower rural youth to become agri-entrepreneurs.
Calling the recognition “a reaffirmation of PAU’s legacy and leadership in India’s agricultural transformation,” Dr. Gosal said the university remains committed to reimagining the spirit of the Green Revolution for a sustainable, innovation-driven future.